This Overlooked AI Infrastructure Stock Could Transform $1,000 Into Life-Changing Wealth

Source Motley_fool

Key Points

  • Applied Digital boasts exceptional demand visibility.

  • The company plans to dramatically expand capacity in the coming years.

  • The company’s revenue is growing at a stellar pace.

  • 10 stocks we like better than Applied Digital ›

The artificial intelligence (AI) boom is now entering a new phase. Instead of focusing solely on advanced chips or AI models, hyperscalers, cloud providers, and enterprise customers are increasingly investing in reducing bottlenecks via AI-optimized data center capacity, equipped with high power density and advanced cooling systems.

Applied Digital (NASDAQ: APLD) is one AI infrastructure player riding this AI wave, and it has the potential to deliver exceptional returns in the long run.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »

Casually dressed businessmen shaking hands with each other.

Image source: Getty Images.

Demand visibility

Applied Digital has already contracted nearly 600 megawatts of data center capacity across its Polaris Forge 1 and Polaris Forge 2 campuses in North Dakota for roughly $16 billion in prospective lease revenue over the next 15 years. Around 400 megawatts of capacity at Polaris Forge 1 has been leased to CoreWeave, while 200 megawatts of capacity at Polaris Forge 2 is leased to an unnamed "investment-grade" hyperscaler. This exceptional visibility into demand has improved the company's revenue and cash flow predictability.

Applied Digital has designed Polaris Forge 1 and Polaris Forge 2 campuses with significant room to expand, with each site capable of scaling to at least 1 gigawatt of total capacity and even up to 2 gigawatts or more, with expansion tied to the availability of power and infrastructure. The company has also started work on Delta Forge 1, a 430-megawatt AI data center campus. This highlights the company's confidence in continued data center demand and its ability to execute at scale.

Robust financials

Applied Digital's recent financials are impressive. In the second quarter of fiscal 2026 (ending Nov. 30, 2025), revenue soared 250% year-over-year to $126.6 million. The average Wall Street estimate calls for revenue to rise to about $346.7 million in fiscal 2026 and roughly $546 million in fiscal 2027.

Considering all these tailwinds, Applied Digital seems a smart buy now. While getting $1,000 to $1 million would take a 1,000% return, I think it's possible with Applied Digital stock.

Should you buy stock in Applied Digital right now?

Before you buy stock in Applied Digital, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Applied Digital wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $464,439!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,150,455!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 949% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 195% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of January 24, 2026.

Manali Pradhan, CFA has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
Top 3 Price Prediction: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple – BTC shows mild signs of recovery, ETH and XRP remain under pressureBitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP) show mixed signals at the time of writing on Friday as the broader crypto market attempts to stabilize after this week’s sell-off. BTC extends its recovery after finding support around a key level.
Author  Mitrade
Yesterday 06: 31
Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Ripple (XRP) show mixed signals at the time of writing on Friday as the broader crypto market attempts to stabilize after this week’s sell-off. BTC extends its recovery after finding support around a key level.
placeholder
AUD/JPY Price Forecast: Strengthens above 108.50, RSI signals overbought conditionsThe AUD/JPY cross gathers strength to near 108.55 during the early European session on Friday. The Japanese Yen weakens against the Australian Dollar (AUD) after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) interest rate decision.  
Author  Rachel Weiss
Yesterday 06: 24
The AUD/JPY cross gathers strength to near 108.55 during the early European session on Friday. The Japanese Yen weakens against the Australian Dollar (AUD) after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) interest rate decision.  
placeholder
Japan Holds Rates at 0.75%: What It Means for Crypto MarketsThe Bank of Japan held its benchmark interest rate steady at 0.75% on Friday, while upgrading economic growth and inflation forecasts in a decision that carries significant long-term implications for
Author  Beincrypto
Yesterday 06: 21
The Bank of Japan held its benchmark interest rate steady at 0.75% on Friday, while upgrading economic growth and inflation forecasts in a decision that carries significant long-term implications for
placeholder
Polygon attracts over $407 million in net inflows, outpacing Solana and EthereumPolygon achieved over $496M in net inflows for the past three months, passing Hyperliquid, Solana, and other major networks.
Author  Cryptopolitan
Yesterday 06: 21
Polygon achieved over $496M in net inflows for the past three months, passing Hyperliquid, Solana, and other major networks.
placeholder
AI will shake up less than half of software firmsArtificial intelligence companies are seeing their price tags shoot through the roof as investment firms scramble not to miss the next breakthrough technology, according to Orlando Bravo. Orlando Bravo,  a top private equity leader who started the private equity firm Thoma Bravo, says venture capital companies are jumping into anything related to AI without much […]
Author  Cryptopolitan
Yesterday 06: 19
Artificial intelligence companies are seeing their price tags shoot through the roof as investment firms scramble not to miss the next breakthrough technology, according to Orlando Bravo. Orlando Bravo,  a top private equity leader who started the private equity firm Thoma Bravo, says venture capital companies are jumping into anything related to AI without much […]
goTop
quote