3 Underrated AI Stocks Worth Investing In Right Now
Podcast Overview: In Episode #464 of the Zacks Market Edge Podcast, host Tracey Ryniec discusses how investors can leverage the Zacks Rank system to identify lesser-known AI stocks amidst the broader AI Revolution, which extends beyond major players like NVIDIA and Palantir.
Hidden Gem Stocks: Ryniec highlights three companies—Everus Construction Group, Comfort Systems USA, and Allient Inc.—as potential hidden gems in the AI infrastructure space, each showing significant year-to-date stock performance and promising earnings growth.
Market Demand: The increasing demand for data is driving a surge in data center construction and upgrades, suggesting that companies providing essential hardware for these facilities could emerge as the next big players in the market.
Investment Recommendations: The podcast encourages listeners to consider these lesser-known stocks for their portfolios, emphasizing the importance of identifying companies that are integral to the AI infrastructure but may not be on the average investor's radar.
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Stock Sale Announcement: Brian Elane intends to sell 11,113 shares of Comfort Systems USA (FIX.US) on May 5, with a total market value of approximately $21.89 million.
Reduction in Shareholding: Elane has reduced his shareholding in Comfort Systems USA by 9,365 shares since February 25, 2026, with a total value of around $13.61 million.
- Earnings Beat: Comfort Systems reported Q1 earnings of $10.51 per share, significantly exceeding Wall Street's estimate of $6.81, indicating strong performance in the HVAC and electrical contracting sector, although shares fell 3.7% due to profit-taking.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved a 56.5% year-over-year revenue increase to $2.87 billion, surpassing analyst forecasts, suggesting robust demand in the construction and service markets that may attract more investor interest.
- Record Backlog: Comfort Systems reported a record backlog of $12.45 billion, indicating a healthy pipeline for future business, and despite stock volatility, this can be seen as a positive signal for long-term growth potential.
- Market Reaction Analysis: Although shares dipped due to profit-taking, Comfort Systems has risen 70.7% year-to-date, reflecting market confidence in its future prospects, and investors may look for buying opportunities during price corrections.
- Significant Growth: Comfort Systems USA reported a 51% increase in same-store revenue for Q1 2026, achieving a record gross margin and net income of $370 million, with EPS at $10.51, showcasing the company's strong performance amid robust technology demand.
- Record Backlog: The company reported a backlog of $12.5 billion, which is $5 billion higher than the previous year, indicating a positive business outlook for the coming months, particularly in the data center and modular construction sectors where demand remains strong.
- Capital Return Policy: The company announced an increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.80 per share, up by $0.10, reflecting a commitment to consistently reward shareholders while maintaining a strong balance sheet, which enhances investor confidence.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Management expects same-store revenue growth for the full year 2026 to exceed 2025 levels, with a projected increase in the mid- to high 20% range, despite facing higher comparables in the second half of the year, demonstrating confidence in market demand.
- Intel's Strong Outlook: Intel forecasts Q2 revenue between $13.8 billion and $14.8 billion, exceeding expectations of $13.04 billion, leading to a 22% stock surge that reignites optimism in the semiconductor sector, potentially driving increased investments and R&D across the industry.
- Market Optimism: The stock market is mostly higher as talks between the US and Iran appear to be resuming, with the Nasdaq 100 reaching an all-time high, reflecting investor expectations for reduced geopolitical risks, which may enhance market stability and investor confidence.
- WTI Oil Price Fluctuations: WTI crude oil prices fell over 1% after initially gaining 1% due to the US naval blockade on Iran, which could exacerbate the global energy crisis, impacting oil prices and the profitability of related companies, particularly in the Middle East.
- Earnings Season Performance: So far, 81% of the 123 S&P 500 companies that reported earnings have beaten estimates, with Q1 earnings projected to rise 12% year-over-year, indicating improved corporate profitability that may further drive stock market gains and bolster investor confidence.
- Dividend Increase: Comfort Systems has declared a quarterly dividend increase from $0.70 to $0.80 per share, representing a 14.3% rise, which reflects the company's strong financial performance and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Payment Schedule: The new dividend will be payable on May 26, with a record date of May 15 and an ex-dividend date also set for May 15, ensuring shareholders can promptly benefit from the increased payout.
- Positive Market Response: Analysts are optimistic about Comfort Systems' outlook, believing that the surge in demand for data centers will continue to drive the company's performance, further solidifying its leadership position in the infrastructure sector.
- Investment Rating Maintained: GLJ has maintained a “Buy” rating on Comfort Systems, emphasizing that the booming data center market will continue to support the company's backlog, indicating strong profit potential in the future.
- AI Business Growth: Intel (INTC) shares surged over 25% ahead of market open as CEO Lip-Bu Tan highlighted the company's pivot to AI, with financial outlook upgraded, projecting next quarter's revenue to rise from $13 billion to between $13.8 billion and $14.8 billion, indicating strong market demand and successful strategic transformation.
- Capacity Enhancement Plans: CFO David Zinsner stated that in response to soaring demand for data center processors, Intel is focused on rapidly increasing capacity to meet customer needs and avoid supply shortages, thereby enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Strengthening Industry Position: Tan emphasized that as AI systems become more complex, Intel's CPUs remain the backbone of AI computing architecture, a trend that will further drive the company's market share and revenue growth in the future, showcasing its leadership in technological innovation.
- Positive Market Reaction: The market reacted enthusiastically to Intel's positive outlook and strong performance, reflecting investor confidence in the company's future development and further solidifying Intel's position in the tech industry.









