Five Publicly Traded Data Center Companies Positioned for AI Growth

The surge in artificial intelligence adoption has created unprecedented demand for reliable data infrastructure. While many investors chase AI-focused software and hardware manufacturers, a more strategic opportunity lies with the publicly traded data center companies that form the backbone of this technology boom. These firms provide essential cooling, power, and facility management services that keep AI computing clusters running around the clock. Here are five well-positioned operators worth examining for portfolio exposure.

Infrastructure Leadership in Power and Cooling Solutions

Vertiv stands out as a critical infrastructure provider serving data centers, communication networks, and industrial facilities worldwide. The company’s comprehensive portfolio spans power management, advanced cooling systems, and IT infrastructure solutions. Analysts have consistently raised their earnings projections across all timeframes, earning the company a prestigious Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) rating. This analyst confidence reflects Vertiv’s essential role in supporting the computational demands created by artificial intelligence applications.

Comfort Systems USA has carved out a specialized niche in thermal management for data center operations. Beyond traditional HVAC services, the company manufactures specialized chillers, cooling towers, and related components critical to maintaining optimal temperatures in data centers. With revisions trending sharply upward—estimates climbed 40% to $11.42 per share over the preceding twelve months—Comfort Systems USA also carries a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) designation. This reflects strong conviction among investment analysts regarding the company’s growth trajectory.

Real Estate and Colocation Data Center Operators

Digital Realty Trust operates as one of the leading owners and managers of technology-focused real estate properties. The company maintains an extensive portfolio of data center facilities offering colocation, interconnection, and cloud infrastructure solutions to a global customer base spanning both domestic and international markets. Market sentiment has been decidedly positive, with the stock appreciating 48% over the past year—substantially outpacing the S&P 500’s 25% gain during the same period. For income-focused investors, the stock currently yields 3.4% annually, providing both capital appreciation and dividend support.

Iron Mountain operates an even more global footprint, managing colocation data center facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia. As one of the fastest-growing providers in this expanding sector, the company benefits from geographic diversification and strong positioning in multiple high-demand markets. Analysts have collectively raised earnings expectations across the board, landing Iron Mountain in the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) category. Additionally, the stock pays a substantial dividend currently yielding 3.5% annually, making it attractive to both growth and income-oriented investors.

Cooling Solutions Specialists

Modine Manufacturing, drawing on over 45 years of operational experience, develops comprehensive thermal management solutions for data center environments. The company’s offerings encompass precision air conditioning systems, specialized IT cooling equipment, industrial chillers, and advanced air handling units. With positive earnings revisions across all analyst consensus estimates, Modine Manufacturing carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) rating, indicating solid but slightly less aggressive analyst enthusiasm compared to some of its peers.

Why These Publicly Traded Data Center Companies Matter

The artificial intelligence revolution shows no signs of slowing, and the infrastructure requirements only intensify as computational demands grow exponentially. These five publicly traded data center companies—Vertiv, Digital Realty Trust, Iron Mountain, Modine Manufacturing, and Comfort Systems USA—provide direct exposure to this secular growth trend. Most have benefited from positive earnings estimate revisions, with several achieving the highest analyst ratings. Whether seeking pure infrastructure exposure or combining growth potential with dividend income, these firms represent substantive opportunities to capitalize on the AI era’s infrastructure imperative.