WS Investor
28 Oct 2026, 14:39
Vertiv Jumps 14% as AI Infrastructure Demand Drives 61% Sales Growth and Higher Guidance
Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) shares jumped about 14% after the company reported exceptionally strong third-quarter 2026 growth, with AI data center demand driving record orders, expanding margins and a broad increase to full-year guidance.
Third-quarter sales surged 61% year over year to $4.31 billion, including 55% organic growth. Adjusted EPS rose 78% to $2.21, while adjusted operating profit increased 83% to $1.09 billion. Adjusted operating margin expanded 290 basis points to 25.2%.
Demand indicators were particularly strong. Organic orders more than doubled year over year, while growth was broad-based across regions, including 75% sales growth in the Americas, 50% in APAC and 23% in EMEA. Management said the global data center infrastructure buildout is accelerating.
Cash generation also improved, with operating cash flow up 64% to $794 million and adjusted free cash flow rising 50% to $652 million. Vertiv ended the quarter with $6.2 billion of liquidity and a net cash position.
The company raised full-year guidance across all key metrics. Vertiv now expects 2026 sales of $14.45 billion to $14.85 billion, organic growth of 37%-39% and adjusted EPS of $7.10-$7.20. Fourth-quarter organic sales growth is projected at 49%-51%.
The 14% rally appears to reflect the combination of extraordinary order growth, accelerating AI infrastructure demand, stronger margins and a substantial guidance increase, reinforcing expectations that Vertiv remains a major beneficiary of the global data center investment cycle.
Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) shares jumped about 14% after the company reported exceptionally strong third-quarter 2026 growth, with AI data center demand driving record orders, expanding margins and a broad increase to full-year guidance.
Third-quarter sales surged 61% year over year to $4.31 billion, including 55% organic growth. Adjusted EPS rose 78% to $2.21, while adjusted operating profit increased 83% to $1.09 billion. Adjusted operating margin expanded 290 basis points to 25.2%.
Demand indicators were particularly strong. Organic orders more than doubled year over year, while growth was broad-based across regions, including 75% sales growth in the Americas, 50% in APAC and 23% in EMEA. Management said the global data center infrastructure buildout is accelerating.
Cash generation also improved, with operating cash flow up 64% to $794 million and adjusted free cash flow rising 50% to $652 million. Vertiv ended the quarter with $6.2 billion of liquidity and a net cash position.
The company raised full-year guidance across all key metrics. Vertiv now expects 2026 sales of $14.45 billion to $14.85 billion, organic growth of 37%-39% and adjusted EPS of $7.10-$7.20. Fourth-quarter organic sales growth is projected at 49%-51%.
The 14% rally appears to reflect the combination of extraordinary order growth, accelerating AI infrastructure demand, stronger margins and a substantial guidance increase, reinforcing expectations that Vertiv remains a major beneficiary of the global data center investment cycle.
