Forget Microsoft: You don’t need Big Tech to invest in the AI data center boom

Vertiv (VRT) agreed to acquire King Environmental Services Ltd. (KES), a Europe-based provider of fluid management services for data centers. The deal, expected to close in Q4 2026, will expand Vertiv's thermal management capabilities in EMEA. KES's expertise in fluid management and load-testing will complement Vertiv's existing services, supporting high-density and AI infrastructure. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Goldman Sachs projects 27% average return for 10 energy and power stocks, including Quanta Services, Duke Energy, and Baker Hughes. Target prices and returns vary, with Golar LNG having the highest return at 38%. The report highlights growth opportunities and catalysts for these companies.

Digital Realty (DLR) issued €1B in green senior notes due 2036, priced at 99.289% of par. Proceeds (~€985.8M) will fund green projects, repay debt, or acquire properties. DLR has a Buy rating with a $225 target, but Spark rates it Neutral due to valuation and technical concerns.

Singapore passed a law setting binding efficiency and clean energy standards for data centres with a critical IT load of at least 3 MW. Operators must meet energy and water efficiency requirements, with penalties for non-compliance. The law affects operators like Digital Realty, Equinix, Keppel Data Centres, and ST Telemedia Global Data Centres, which committed to green energy targets in recent tenders.

Argus raised its target price for Vertiv Holdings (VRT) to $299, maintaining a BUY rating. The company received high ratings in industry, management, safety, financial strength, and growth, with a medium value rating.

Vertiv (VRT) stock fell 3.5% after GLJ Research initiated coverage with a Sell rating and $188 target, citing lower EBITDA estimates. Broader market conditions, including rising Treasury yields, also pressured shares. The stock later recovered slightly to $244.73, down 3.3%. Vertiv is up 39.4% YTD but 35% below its 52-week high.