This Global REIT Is Riding Asia's AI Wave Straight to the Bank

Equinix (EQIX -0.51%) is a powerhouse in digital infrastructure and part of a new class of innovative real estate investment trusts (REITs) laying the groundwork to become the future of real estate investing. It has a strong history of capitalizing on international technology trends that traditional REITs can't match. With a strategic expansion in Indonesia, Equinix is positioning itself for explosive growth, and Wall Street is beginning to take notice. Image source: Getty Images. Why this digital land grab is a big deal Asia is becoming the global epicenter of digital demand, and Indonesia is leading the charge. It's attracting major investments in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and fintech. By entering the market early and scaling aggressively, Equinix is developing a strategic advantage that will be tough for competitors to match. Indonesia's data center market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8% to $3.79 billion through 2030. Cloud giants like Amazon Web Services and Alphabet's Google Cloud have already announced major investments, but their platforms need physical infrastructure to function. That's what makes Equinix's expansion into Jakarta so strategic. Its newly opened data center is no ordinary server farm. Built to support intensive computing tasks like training and running AI systems, Equinix is creating the critical backbone necessary for digital business growth in Indonesia. This could make Equinix one of tech's most valuable players. The average analyst price target sees Equinix at $1,009, 10% percent higher than it currently sits, a nod to its forward-looking strategy and savvy market expansion. What gives Equinix the edge In addition to its Indonesian assets, Equinix operates 270 data centers across five continents and 35 countries. It has a great track record with its customers, retaining 98% of them. As of Q1 2025, Equinix reported over $2.1 billion in annual adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). This strong combination of global scale, customer loyalty, and reliable earnings is exactly what sets the stage for Equinix's move into Jakarta to be a success. While it's not the highest-dividend REIT, Equinix pays investors 2% annually. But considering its growth trajectory looks more like a tech company than a traditional REIT, that's not too bad. The risks to watch Equinix does face potential pressures though. Their total capital expenditures for 2025 are projected between $3.4 billion and $3.7 billion, with non-recurring expenditures accounting for around 95% of that. This significant investment is partly due to the need to modernize legacy data centers to meet new levels of demand. While these upgrades are essential, they represent a substantial financial commitment that could impact short-term profitability. That said, Equinix ended Q1 2025 with roughly $2.95 billion in cash and cash equivalents and an ample $7.6 billion in total available liquidity. The balance sheet looks sturdy enough to fund expansion without putting shareholders at undue risk. Geopolitical tensions are also on the periphery of investor concerns. As Equinix operates globally, it must navigate regulatory, monetary, and political risks in emerging markets. But these risks appear to be well managed by the company's leadership, and its long-term leases, high renewal rates, and diversified customer base provide stability. It's time to stake your claim in the future of tech real estate Some investors still think REITs are too risky and don't deliver enough value. Those perceptions are often based on underperforming traditional sectors like retail or office space. That's where tech-powered REITs like Equinix come in. Gone are the days when investing in real estate meant buying a piece of something on the ground. Now you're buying into the cloud. Even in comparison to peers like Digital Realty, Equinix still stands out. It has a stronger international footprint, a more premium client base, and better historical uptime. If you're looking for a REIT that combines growth potential with resilience in the digital age, Equinix is arguably a top-tier pick. AI is only as powerful as the infrastructure behind it, and Equinix is building the digital backbone on which the future will run. Jakarta may just be one dot on the map, but it signals Equinix is putting itself at the forefront of the global shift. With recurring revenue, global scale, and a pioneering foothold in high-growth markets like Indonesia, this REIT could quietly become one of the most important tech stocks of the next decade. Investors looking to profit from AI's global expansion without the volatility of pure-play tech stocks may want to give Equinix a closer look. It might not be a flashy choice, but it's in a solid state and could be the smartest upgrade your portfolio makes this year.