Needham Identifies Potential in Two Underrated Energy Stocks Benefiting from the Data-Center Surge
AI and Data Center Boom: The surge in AI is driving significant investment in data center construction, with major tech companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Alphabet spending nearly $360 billion to support their AI and cloud computing initiatives.
Energy Consumption Concerns: Data centers are projected to consume around 945 TWh of electricity by 2030, contributing to rising global electricity demand, primarily due to their power-hungry cooling and climate control systems.
Generac Holdings Overview: Generac, a leader in power generation solutions, is positioned to benefit from the data center boom, with a projected revenue increase tied to their industrial-strength generators and energy management products.
Primoris Services Potential: Primoris Services, a specialty contractor, is expanding its data center segment and has seen significant revenue growth, with a focus on sustainable infrastructure and energy solutions that support the data center industry.
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- Unit Outflow Situation: The Putnam PanAgora ESG International Equity ETF experienced an outflow of 125,000 units this week, representing a 35.7% decline compared to the previous week, indicating a significant drop in investor confidence that could impact future inflows and market performance.
- Market Performance Volatility: In morning trading, ASML Holding's stock fell approximately 2.2%, while Barclays rose about 0.4%, reflecting varied market reactions to different stocks, which may affect the overall performance of the ETF and the stability of its portfolio.
- Investor Sentiment Shift: The significant outflow may lead investors to question the effectiveness of ESG investment strategies, prompting fund management to reassess their investment approaches to restore investor confidence.
- Industry Impact Assessment: This outflow could have a ripple effect across the ESG investment sector, prompting other fund managers to focus on liquidity management and investor relations to address challenges posed by market fluctuations.
- Significant Revenue Growth: Primoris reported Q4 revenues of $1.86 billion, reflecting a 6.7% year-over-year increase that exceeded analyst expectations by 3.3%, showcasing the company's robust performance in utility and energy infrastructure despite economic uncertainties.
- Improved Profitability: The company also surpassed expectations in adjusted operating income, indicating successful cost control and operational efficiency, although its stock has declined by 13.7% since the earnings report, currently trading at $142.88.
- Strong Industry Performance: The 12 tracked construction and maintenance services companies collectively beat analyst consensus revenue estimates by 4.7%, demonstrating resilience in the sector amidst rising interest rates, with an average stock decline of 9.6%.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: CEO Koti Vadlamudi emphasized the company's progress in achieving multi-year goals and enhancing capital allocation capabilities, suggesting potential growth opportunities ahead, despite the current bearish market sentiment.
- Complete Exit: Goodlander Investment Management sold all 275,000 shares of Primoris in Q4 2025 for approximately $37.77 million, eliminating its exposure to the company and reflecting a cautious stance towards market volatility.
- Performance Review: Primoris reported revenue of about $7.6 billion for 2025, a 19% increase year-over-year, with Q4 revenue alone at $1.9 billion and adjusted EBITDA rising 22% to $531 million, indicating strong growth potential in the infrastructure sector.
- Market Performance: As of February 17, 2026, Primoris shares were priced at $162.38, up 124.2% over the past year, significantly outperforming the S&P 500's nearly 20% return, reflecting optimistic market expectations for its future growth.
- Portfolio Adjustment: While Goodlander exited Primoris, it still holds several infrastructure and industrial investments, suggesting that this move is more about portfolio rebalancing rather than a broad rejection of the infrastructure theme.
- Position Change: Goodlander Investment Management sold 275,000 shares of Primoris in Q4 2025, resulting in a $37.77 million decrease in net position value, indicating a complete exit from Primoris, which previously constituted 14.4% of the fund's AUM.
- Performance Review: Primoris reported approximately $7.6 billion in revenue for 2025, a 19% increase year-over-year, with Q4 revenue alone at $1.9 billion and adjusted EBITDA rising 22% to $531 million, showcasing the company's strong growth potential in infrastructure solutions.
- Market Reaction: Primoris shares surged over 120% in the past year, significantly outpacing the broader market and raising valuation expectations, leading investors to lock in gains at this time, reflecting a reassessment of future risks.
- Portfolio Adjustment: While Goodlander exited Primoris, it still holds several infrastructure and industrial investments, indicating that this exit appears more as a portfolio rebalancing rather than a broad rejection of the infrastructure theme.

- Small-company stocks gaining attention: Investors are increasingly focusing on small-company stocks as interest in artificial intelligence wanes.
- Market dynamics shifting: The shift in investor sentiment indicates a broader change in market dynamics, moving away from tech-heavy investments.
- Potential for growth: Small-company stocks are seen as having significant growth potential, attracting more capital as investors seek new opportunities.
- Economic implications: This trend may reflect changing economic conditions and investor strategies in response to market fluctuations.
- Significant Performance Growth: Primoris achieved nearly $1.9 billion in revenue for Q4 2025, an increase of $116.4 million year-over-year, with full-year revenue approaching $7.6 billion, primarily driven by double-digit growth in both the Utilities and Energy segments, showcasing the company's strong market performance.
- Robust Backlog: The total backlog exceeded $11.9 billion at year-end, including nearly $3 billion in new contracts booked in the final quarter, indicating strong future growth potential and demand in the market.
- Optimistic Outlook: Management provided 2026 earnings guidance of $5.35 to $5.55 per share and adjusted EPS of $5.80 to $6, reflecting confidence in future performance, particularly in the growing sectors of renewables and natural gas generation.
- Cash Flow and Financial Health: The company reported over $470 million in operating cash flow for 2025, with a cash balance of $536 million and long-term debt of $470 million, indicating a net cash positive position that enhances its capacity for investment and expansion.










