<div id="readability-page-1">Money Markets Vertiv Stock: A Data Center Infrastructure Play  ByTrefis Team ,  Contributor.  Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Building a platform to do the job of 1 million analysts for  Great Speculations Follow Author Dec 16, 2025, 06:00am EST  CANADA - 2025/12/07: In this photo illustration, the Vertiv logo is seen displayed on a smartphone screen. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images The global competition to develop large AI models has been characterized by discussions concerning high-performance accelerated computing chips and advancements in software. However, this digital transformation might be encountering a surprisingly traditional, analog issue: Power and Heat. As AI &#34;factories&#34; require drastic increases in electricity, the companies that supply the essential infrastructure—the cooling systems, power distribution, and the underlying plumbing—are emerging as unexpected beneficiaries.  One of the most evident beneficiaries of this trend is Vertiv Holdings (VRT) , whose stock has appreciated by approximately 36% year-to-date as investors are increasingly acknowledging its significance as a vital supplier of AI data center infrastructure. AI cannot expand without power density, thermal regulation, and operational reliability, which is precisely where Vertiv operates.  What Exactly Does Vertiv Do?  In simple terms, it provides continuity, power, and thermal management necessary to ensure that critical data centers remain operational. When an AI cloud service provider like Google or Microsoft sets up racks filled with advanced, high-density GPUs (like those from Nvidia), they are faced with two immediate challenges:  The Power Problem: A single AI rack can consume between 50 and over 100 kilowatts of power, substantially more than conventional servers. Vertiv supplies the Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) and high-density Power Distribution Units (PDUs) that are essential for safely delivering this electricity and preventing outages.  The Heat Problem: The enormous power consumption generates significant heat, rendering traditional air conditioning ineffective. Vertiv is a frontrunner in liquid cooling solutions, offering the Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs), specialized piping, and services necessary for Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) systems that extend directly to the chip.  Vertiv’s operations are closely linked to the adoption of GPUs, positioning it as a crucial, though somewhat indirect, leverage point on the overall demand for AI compute.  Positioned Across the Entire AI Lifecycle  Vertiv is set to gain throughout the entire AI lifecycle.  While training models generates immediate, high-density demand, the long-term movement towards widespread AI inference, which involves the daily utilization of models like ChatGPT, could necessitate a vast, decentralized, and continually expanding global network of data centers. All of these facilities, whether meant for training or inference, depend on VRT’s power and cooling systems.  MORE FOR YOU The necessity for efficient, liquid-cooled infrastructure intensifies as power density rises. This infrastructure-focused model provides VRT with a more defensive profile compared to pure chip stocks, as its revenue is not contingent upon the success of any single AI model, but rather on the industry’s ongoing requirement for operable hardware. Vertiv is poised to benefit from AI growth, regardless of which model or chip ultimately sees more adoption.  Financial Momentum And Valuation  Vertiv’s growth trajectory remains exceedingly strong. Revenues have increased at an average annual rate of 21.4% over the past three years and surged by 29% in the last twelve months to reach $9.7 billion, with the most recent quarter also showing a 29% year-over-year increase. Profitability is stable but not extraordinary, with an operating margin of 18.0%, a cash flow margin of 16.1%, and a net margin of 10.7%.  The most evident indicator of future growth, however, lies in its operational metrics. The company holds a substantial backlog of around $9.5 billion, which provides strong revenue visibility well into 2026. This backlog has expanded by 30% year-over-year. With a book-to-bill ratio of roughly 1.4x, Vertiv is receiving significantly more new orders than it can fulfill, confirming that demand is currently surpassing manufacturing capacity.  With a market capitalization of approximately $61 billion, Vertiv is no longer regarded as a conventional industrial supplier. The stock is trading at around 38x consensus FY’25 earnings and roughly 31x FY’26 earnings, indicating investor confidence that current demand is not merely a one-time cycle but part of a multi-year AI infrastructure expansion. Essentially, the market views Vertiv less as a cyclical equipment vendor and more as a critical enabler of large-scale AI implementation. This valuation highlights a broader transition in how investors perceive the AI opportunity: it encompasses not just chips and models, but also the power, cooling, and physical systems that ultimately determine whether AI implementations can actually be developed and sustained.  The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio , featuring a collection of 30 stocks, boasts a track record of consistently outperforming its benchmark that includes all three – the S&amp;P 500, S&amp;P mid-cap, and Russell 2000 indices. What’s the reason? As a collective, HQ Portfolio stocks have provided superior returns with reduced risk compared to the benchmark index; it has been less of a roller-coaster experience, as evidenced in HQ Portfolio performance metrics .  Editorial Standards Reprints &amp; Permissions LOADING VIDEO PLAYER... FORBES’ FEATURED Video</div>

<p>Vertiv Holdings (VRT) has seen its stock rise by 36% year-to-date due to its role in providing essential infrastructure for AI data centers. The company supplies power and thermal management solutions critical for AI operations. Vertiv's revenue has grown significantly, with a strong backlog indicating continued demand. The market values Vertiv as a key enabler of AI, with its stock trading at high multiples, reflecting investor confidence in its long-term growth potential.</p>