AI Drives Explosive Growth in Data Center Sector
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Feb 03 2026
0mins
Should l Buy APLD?
Source: Fool
- Surging Market Demand: The rise of AI technology has led to an explosive demand for data centers, with Applied Digital's stock soaring nearly 500% over the past 12 months to a 52-week high of $42.27, indicating strong market demand for its services.
- Expanding Customer Base: In its fiscal second quarter, Applied Digital reported sales of $126.6 million, a remarkable 250% increase year-over-year, with major client CoreWeave signing long-term leases worth approximately $11 billion, showcasing the company's robust growth potential in the AI infrastructure market.
- Increasing Financial Challenges: Despite significant sales growth, Applied Digital's cost of revenue reached $100.6 million in Q2, a staggering 344% year-over-year increase, resulting in an operating loss of $31 million, highlighting the pressure high costs place on profitability.
- Rising Debt Burden: The company exited Q2 with over $2.6 billion in debt, a substantial rise from $688 million the previous year, and if debt accumulation continues, it may face financial difficulties, prompting investors to carefully assess the associated risks.
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Analyst Views on APLD
Wall Street analysts forecast APLD stock price to rise
10 Analyst Rating
10 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 24.490
Low
36.00
Averages
52.22
High
99.00
Current: 24.490
Low
36.00
Averages
52.22
High
99.00
About APLD
Applied Digital Corporation is a designer, builder, and operator of sustainably engineered data centers and colocation services for artificial intelligence, cloud, networking, and blockchain workloads. The Company’s segments include data center hosting (Data Center Hosting Business) and high-performance compute hosting (HPC Hosting Business). The Data Center Hosting Business operates data centers to provide energized space to crypto mining customers. Customer-owned hardware is installed in its facilities, and the Company provides operational and maintenance services for a fixed fee. Its facilities include a 106 megawatt (MW) facility in Jamestown and a 180 MW facility in Ellendale, North Dakota. The HPC Hosting Business designs, builds, and operates data centers which are designed to support high-compute applications using advanced technologies and infrastructures to provide services to customers. Its HPC data center is located at its Polaris Forge 1 campus with 100 MW capacity.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Applied Digital Adds $2.15 Billion Debt Amid Rising Risks
- Debt Surge: Applied Digital has added $2.15 billion in new debt at a 6.75% interest rate, bringing its total debt to approximately $5 billion, a significant increase from just $468 million a year ago, indicating heightened financial vulnerability under pressure.
- Revenue Pipeline Dependency: The company boasts a $16 billion pipeline of contracted lease revenue, with $11 billion sourced from CoreWeave, creating a precarious financial situation for Applied Digital, especially as CoreWeave itself carries over $21 billion in debt.
- Profitability Concerns: CoreWeave reported a $1.2 billion loss last year, and while its revenue is growing rapidly, its debt is escalating even faster, raising alarms for investors regarding its potential impact on Applied Digital, particularly in a deteriorating macroeconomic environment.
- Reliance on OpenAI: CoreWeave's financial health is heavily reliant on OpenAI's ability to secure funding, with OpenAI projected to face $14 billion in losses by 2026 and total losses reaching $115 billion, casting significant uncertainty over Applied Digital's future prospects.
See More
Surge in Demand for AI Data Centers Amid Neocloud Boom
- Surging Market Demand: The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has led to a dramatic increase in demand for dedicated data centers, particularly GPU-powered neoclouds, indicating a supercycle where demand significantly exceeds supply.
- Massive Revenue Potential: Applied Digital is constructing two data centers in North Dakota with a combined capacity of 700 megawatts (MW), of which 600 MW has already been leased, potentially generating $16 billion in lease revenue.
- Long-Term Growth Plans: The company aims to build 4.3 gigawatts (GW) of AI data centers in the future, leveraging controlled land and power agreements with utility companies to ensure sustained customer demand.
- Optimistic Profit Expectations: Management anticipates surpassing $1 billion in net operating income by 2026, and with the projected growth in AI data center demand over the next decade, Applied Digital's stock is poised for further appreciation.
See More
Applied Digital Faces Core Risks Amid $16 Billion Revenue Pipeline
- Revenue Pipeline: Applied Digital boasts a $16 billion contracted revenue pipeline, but $11 billion of this is reliant on CoreWeave, which poses a risk to revenue stability; any financial issues at CoreWeave could directly impact Applied Digital's cash flow.
- CoreWeave's Financial Strain: CoreWeave's debt has surged from $7.9 billion to over $21 billion, with interest payments consuming 25% of its total revenue, indicating a precarious financial situation that may hinder its ability to support Applied Digital's operations.
- Dependency on OpenAI: CoreWeave's reliance on OpenAI, which is projected to incur $14 billion in losses in 2026 and a cumulative cash burn of $115 billion through 2029, adds another layer of instability that could adversely affect Applied Digital's future revenue.
- Uncertain Market Outlook: While Applied Digital could potentially generate billions in annual lease revenue over the next five years, the uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment and its substantial debt burden necessitate a cautious evaluation of its stock's long-term performance.
See More
Applied Digital's Risks and Opportunities Amid $16 Billion Pipeline
- Contract Revenue Outlook: Applied Digital boasts $16 billion in contracted lease revenue, yet $11 billion of this comes from a single customer, heightening financial risk and uncertainty.
- Data Center Delivery Capacity: The company is on track to deliver 100 megawatts of data center capacity at its Polaris 1 campus, showcasing strong execution, while competitors face delays, highlighting intense market competition.
- Core Customer Risk: Applied Digital's reliance on CoreWeave, which carries over $21 billion in debt and has revenue growth lagging behind debt accumulation, raises concerns about financial stability that could impact Applied Digital's future earnings.
- Macroeconomic Impact: With the macroeconomic landscape deteriorating, Applied Digital's growth prospects are under threat, particularly as its substantial debt could hinder stock performance relative to the market in the coming years.
See More
Investment Opportunities Amid AI Stock Market Pullback
- AI Sector Pullback: The Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF has declined nearly 9% in 2026, indicating a waning enthusiasm for AI technology; however, this pullback presents a prime opportunity for investors to buy AI stocks like Nvidia and Applied Digital.
- Productivity Gains: Research from Morgan Stanley reveals that companies adopting AI across sectors such as transportation, healthcare, automotive, retail, and real estate are experiencing an average productivity increase of 11.5%, demonstrating the tangible benefits of AI implementation.
- Nvidia's Growth Potential: Nvidia reported a 73% revenue increase in fiscal 2026, reaching $215.9 billion, with guidance suggesting a 77% year-over-year revenue jump for the current quarter, indicating robust demand for its chips and sustainable growth prospects.
- Applied Digital's Expansion Plans: Applied Digital has signed $16 billion in 15-year lease contracts for two data centers and is in advanced talks for three additional campuses, which could significantly boost revenue; analysts have set a 12-month price target of $43.50, suggesting a potential 69% upside.
See More
Applied Digital Amends Lease Agreements with CoreWeave for Data Centers
- Lease Amendments: Applied Digital has amended two lease agreements with CoreWeave regarding the Polaris Forge 1 data centers in Ellendale, North Dakota, suspending the ELN-02 lease and establishing new leases with CoreWeave Compute Acquisition Company, indicating a strategic shift in data center operations.
- Enhanced Credit Support: CoreWeave provided an Unconditional Springing Guaranty of Payment and Performance to Applied Digital, along with a $50 million letter of credit to secure obligations under the ELN-02 lease, which enhances CoreWeave's credit ratings and is expected to positively impact holders of Applied Digital's 9.250% notes due 2030.
- Revenue Projections: Under the new lease terms, Applied Digital will deliver 250 MW of capacity to CoreWeave, projected to generate approximately $7 billion in revenue over 15 years, further solidifying its position in the high-performance computing market.
- Stock Price Reaction: Applied Digital's shares surged 15% by Tuesday's close and gained an additional 3.6% in pre-market trading on Wednesday, reflecting positive market sentiment regarding the lease amendments, while CoreWeave's stock also rose by 12%.
See More
Applied Digital Adds $2.15 Billion Debt Amid Rising Risks
- Debt Surge: Applied Digital has added $2.15 billion in new debt at a 6.75% interest rate, bringing its total debt to approximately $5 billion, a significant increase from just $468 million a year ago, indicating heightened financial vulnerability under pressure.
- Revenue Pipeline Dependency: The company boasts a $16 billion pipeline of contracted lease revenue, with $11 billion sourced from CoreWeave, creating a precarious financial situation for Applied Digital, especially as CoreWeave itself carries over $21 billion in debt.
- Profitability Concerns: CoreWeave reported a $1.2 billion loss last year, and while its revenue is growing rapidly, its debt is escalating even faster, raising alarms for investors regarding its potential impact on Applied Digital, particularly in a deteriorating macroeconomic environment.
- Reliance on OpenAI: CoreWeave's financial health is heavily reliant on OpenAI's ability to secure funding, with OpenAI projected to face $14 billion in losses by 2026 and total losses reaching $115 billion, casting significant uncertainty over Applied Digital's future prospects.
See More
Surge in Demand for AI Data Centers Amid Neocloud Boom
- Surging Market Demand: The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has led to a dramatic increase in demand for dedicated data centers, particularly GPU-powered neoclouds, indicating a supercycle where demand significantly exceeds supply.
- Massive Revenue Potential: Applied Digital is constructing two data centers in North Dakota with a combined capacity of 700 megawatts (MW), of which 600 MW has already been leased, potentially generating $16 billion in lease revenue.
- Long-Term Growth Plans: The company aims to build 4.3 gigawatts (GW) of AI data centers in the future, leveraging controlled land and power agreements with utility companies to ensure sustained customer demand.
- Optimistic Profit Expectations: Management anticipates surpassing $1 billion in net operating income by 2026, and with the projected growth in AI data center demand over the next decade, Applied Digital's stock is poised for further appreciation.
See More
Applied Digital Faces Core Risks Amid $16 Billion Revenue Pipeline
- Revenue Pipeline: Applied Digital boasts a $16 billion contracted revenue pipeline, but $11 billion of this is reliant on CoreWeave, which poses a risk to revenue stability; any financial issues at CoreWeave could directly impact Applied Digital's cash flow.
- CoreWeave's Financial Strain: CoreWeave's debt has surged from $7.9 billion to over $21 billion, with interest payments consuming 25% of its total revenue, indicating a precarious financial situation that may hinder its ability to support Applied Digital's operations.
- Dependency on OpenAI: CoreWeave's reliance on OpenAI, which is projected to incur $14 billion in losses in 2026 and a cumulative cash burn of $115 billion through 2029, adds another layer of instability that could adversely affect Applied Digital's future revenue.
- Uncertain Market Outlook: While Applied Digital could potentially generate billions in annual lease revenue over the next five years, the uncertainty in the macroeconomic environment and its substantial debt burden necessitate a cautious evaluation of its stock's long-term performance.
See More
Applied Digital's Risks and Opportunities Amid $16 Billion Pipeline
- Contract Revenue Outlook: Applied Digital boasts $16 billion in contracted lease revenue, yet $11 billion of this comes from a single customer, heightening financial risk and uncertainty.
- Data Center Delivery Capacity: The company is on track to deliver 100 megawatts of data center capacity at its Polaris 1 campus, showcasing strong execution, while competitors face delays, highlighting intense market competition.
- Core Customer Risk: Applied Digital's reliance on CoreWeave, which carries over $21 billion in debt and has revenue growth lagging behind debt accumulation, raises concerns about financial stability that could impact Applied Digital's future earnings.
- Macroeconomic Impact: With the macroeconomic landscape deteriorating, Applied Digital's growth prospects are under threat, particularly as its substantial debt could hinder stock performance relative to the market in the coming years.
See More
Investment Opportunities Amid AI Stock Market Pullback
- AI Sector Pullback: The Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF has declined nearly 9% in 2026, indicating a waning enthusiasm for AI technology; however, this pullback presents a prime opportunity for investors to buy AI stocks like Nvidia and Applied Digital.
- Productivity Gains: Research from Morgan Stanley reveals that companies adopting AI across sectors such as transportation, healthcare, automotive, retail, and real estate are experiencing an average productivity increase of 11.5%, demonstrating the tangible benefits of AI implementation.
- Nvidia's Growth Potential: Nvidia reported a 73% revenue increase in fiscal 2026, reaching $215.9 billion, with guidance suggesting a 77% year-over-year revenue jump for the current quarter, indicating robust demand for its chips and sustainable growth prospects.
- Applied Digital's Expansion Plans: Applied Digital has signed $16 billion in 15-year lease contracts for two data centers and is in advanced talks for three additional campuses, which could significantly boost revenue; analysts have set a 12-month price target of $43.50, suggesting a potential 69% upside.
See More
Applied Digital Amends Lease Agreements with CoreWeave for Data Centers
- Lease Amendments: Applied Digital has amended two lease agreements with CoreWeave regarding the Polaris Forge 1 data centers in Ellendale, North Dakota, suspending the ELN-02 lease and establishing new leases with CoreWeave Compute Acquisition Company, indicating a strategic shift in data center operations.
- Enhanced Credit Support: CoreWeave provided an Unconditional Springing Guaranty of Payment and Performance to Applied Digital, along with a $50 million letter of credit to secure obligations under the ELN-02 lease, which enhances CoreWeave's credit ratings and is expected to positively impact holders of Applied Digital's 9.250% notes due 2030.
- Revenue Projections: Under the new lease terms, Applied Digital will deliver 250 MW of capacity to CoreWeave, projected to generate approximately $7 billion in revenue over 15 years, further solidifying its position in the high-performance computing market.
- Stock Price Reaction: Applied Digital's shares surged 15% by Tuesday's close and gained an additional 3.6% in pre-market trading on Wednesday, reflecting positive market sentiment regarding the lease amendments, while CoreWeave's stock also rose by 12%.
See More
