Why Applied Digital Stock Is Skyrocketing Today

Source The Motley Fool

Applied Digital (NASDAQ: APLD) stock is posting big gains in Thursday's trading. The company's share price was up 14.5% as of 3:30 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 was up 1.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite was up 2.1%.

Along with bullish momentum for the broader market today, Applied Digital's valuation is getting a boost thanks to bullish demand indicators for the artificial intelligence (AI) data center space. Microsoft and Meta Platforms released quarterly results and updated their forward guidance yesterday, and the new reports from the tech giants suggest that spending on AI hardware and processing will remain high.

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

Applied Digital surges on AI infrastructure spending outlook

With their respective quarterly reports yesterday, Microsoft and Meta Platforms helped quell concerns among investors that growth for AI might be losing steam. Some recent reports suggested that Microsoft and Amazon have canceled some data center leases and pulled back on infrastructure expansion plans, but the latest capital expenditure (capex) updates suggest that big spending to facilitate AI processing will continue.

With its first-quarter report, Meta delivered a big increase for its full-year capex forecast. The company now expects capex to come in between $64 billion and $72 billion -- up from its previous forecast for capex between $60 billion and $65 billion. Meanwhile, Microsoft reported capex of $16.75 billion in its current fiscal year's Q3 -- which wrapped March 31. The average analyst estimate had called for capex of $16.37 billion in the period.

What's next for Applied Digital?

Building out AI infrastructure is currently the biggest capex driver for Microsoft and Meta Platforms. The fact that both companies are continuing to invest heavily in AI hardware and processing capabilities is a positive indicator for Applied Digital and the broader data center space.

On the other hand, the quarterly results that Applied Digital published earlier this month suggest that modeling demand and performance for smaller players in the space comes with significant challenges. The data center specialist posted sales of $52.9 million last quarter, falling well short of the average analyst estimate's call for revenue of $63.4 million in the period. So while Microsoft and Meta's recent quarterly reports delivered positive indicators for Applied Digital, the overall demand picture remains complex.

Should you invest $1,000 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 $610,327!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $667,581!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 882% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 161% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of April 28, 2025

John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Keith Noonan has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Amazon, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
Ethereum Price Drops Back: Another Test for Support LevelsEthereum price failed to clear the $3,750 resistance and trimmed gains. ETH is back to $3,350 and might struggle to start a fresh increase. Ethereum started a fresh decline from the $3,750 zone. The
Author  NewsBTC
Jan 08, Wed
Ethereum price failed to clear the $3,750 resistance and trimmed gains. ETH is back to $3,350 and might struggle to start a fresh increase. Ethereum started a fresh decline from the $3,750 zone. The
placeholder
Bitcoin Outlook 2025As the Bitcoin market continues to mature, its 2025 outlook appears highly favourable, driven by institutional adoption and regulatory developments.
Author  TradingKey
Jan 23, Thu
As the Bitcoin market continues to mature, its 2025 outlook appears highly favourable, driven by institutional adoption and regulatory developments.
placeholder
What Crypto Whales are Buying For May 2025Crypto whales are making bold moves heading into May 2025, and three tokens are standing out: Ethereum (ETH), Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET), and Onyxcoin (XCN).
Author  Beincrypto
Apr 21, Mon
Crypto whales are making bold moves heading into May 2025, and three tokens are standing out: Ethereum (ETH), Artificial Superintelligence Alliance (FET), and Onyxcoin (XCN).
placeholder
Ethereum Price Ready to Surge—$2,000 Level Could Be Within ReachEthereum price started a fresh increase above the $1,800 zone. ETH is now rising and attempting a move above the $1,850 resistance. Ethereum started a fresh recovery wave above the $1,820 resistance.
Author  NewsBTC
May 08, Thu
Ethereum price started a fresh increase above the $1,800 zone. ETH is now rising and attempting a move above the $1,850 resistance. Ethereum started a fresh recovery wave above the $1,820 resistance.
placeholder
Ethereum Price Explodes Past $2,200 with 25% Surge—Momentum Builds FastEthereum price started a fresh surge above the $2,000 zone. ETH is now up over 25% and consolidating gains near the $2,200 zone. Ethereum started a fresh surge above the $2,000 resistance.
Author  NewsBTC
May 09, Fri
Ethereum price started a fresh surge above the $2,000 zone. ETH is now up over 25% and consolidating gains near the $2,200 zone. Ethereum started a fresh surge above the $2,000 resistance.
goTop
quote