Eaton za čtvrtletí čeká zisk 3,08 USD na akcii, což je meziročně o 4,4 % více, při tržbách 8 miliard USD (+13,9 %). Analytici navíc vidí vysokou šanci na překonání odhadu EPS.
Eaton (ETN - Free Report) is expected to deliver a year-over-year increase in earnings on higher revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended June 2026. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.
The earnings report, which is expected to be released on July 31, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than expectations. On the other hand, if they miss, the stock may move lower.
While the sustainability of the immediate price change and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's discussion of business conditions on the earnings call, it's worth handicapping the probability of a positive EPS surprise.
Zacks Consensus EstimateThis power management company is expected to post quarterly earnings of $3.08 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +4.4%.
Revenues are expected to be $8 billion, up 13.9% from the year-ago quarter.
Estimate Revisions TrendThe consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 0.25% higher over the last 30 days to the current level. This is essentially a reflection of how the covering analysts have collectively reassessed their initial estimates over this period.
Investors should keep in mind that the direction of estimate revisions by each of the covering analysts may not always get reflected in the aggregate change.
Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Earnings WhisperEstimate revisions ahead of a company's earnings release offer clues to the business conditions for the period whose results are coming out. Our proprietary surprise prediction model -- the Zacks Earnings ESP (Expected Surprise Prediction) -- has this insight at its core.
The Zacks Earnings ESP compares the Most Accurate Estimate to the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the quarter; the Most Accurate Estimate is a more recent version of the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. The idea here is that analysts revising their estimates right before an earnings release have the latest information, which could potentially be more accurate than what they and others contributing to the consensus had predicted earlier.
Thus, a positive or negative Earnings ESP reading theoretically indicates the likely deviation of the actual earnings from the consensus estimate. However, the model's predictive power is significant for positive ESP readings only.
A positive Earnings ESP is a strong predictor of an earnings beat, particularly when combined with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold). Our research shows that stocks with this combination produce a positive surprise nearly 70% of the time, and a solid Zacks Rank actually increases the predictive power of Earnings ESP.
Please note that a negative Earnings ESP reading is not indicative of an earnings miss. Our research shows that it is difficult to predict an earnings beat with any degree of confidence for stocks with negative Earnings ESP readings and/or Zacks Rank of 4 (Sell) or 5 (Strong Sell).
How Have the Numbers Shaped Up for Eaton?For Eaton, the Most Accurate Estimate is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate, suggesting that analysts have recently become bullish on the company's earnings prospects. This has resulted in an Earnings ESP of +0.32%.
On the other hand, the stock currently carries a Zacks Rank of #2.
So, this combination indicates that Eaton will most likely beat the consensus EPS estimate.
Does Earnings Surprise History Hold Any Clue?Analysts often consider to what extent a company has been able to match consensus estimates in the past while calculating their estimates for its future earnings. So, it's worth taking a look at the surprise history for gauging its influence on the upcoming number.
For the last reported quarter, it was expected that Eaton would post earnings of $2.74 per share when it actually produced earnings of $2.81, delivering a surprise of +2.55%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has beaten consensus EPS estimates three times.
Bottom LineAn earnings beat or miss may not be the sole basis for a stock moving higher or lower. Many stocks end up losing ground despite an earnings beat due to other factors that disappoint investors. Similarly, unforeseen catalysts help a number of stocks gain despite an earnings miss.
That said, betting on stocks that are expected to beat earnings expectations does increase the odds of success. This is why it's worth checking a company's Earnings ESP and Zacks Rank ahead of its quarterly release. Make sure to utilize our Earnings ESP Filter to uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they've reported.
Eaton appears a compelling earnings-beat candidate. However, investors should pay attention to other factors too for betting on this stock or staying away from it ahead of its earnings release.
An Industry Player's Expected ResultsAmong the stocks in the Zacks Manufacturing - Electronics industry, A.O. Smith (AOS - Free Report) , is soon expected to post earnings of $0.96 per share for the quarter ended June 2026. This estimate indicates a year-over-year change of -10.3%. This quarter's revenue is expected to be $986.45 million, down 2.5% from the year-ago quarter.
The consensus EPS estimate for A.O. Smith has been revised 0.2% lower over the last 30 days to the current level. However, a lower Most Accurate Estimate has resulted in an Earnings ESP of -2.08%.
When combined with a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell), this Earnings ESP makes it difficult to conclusively predict that A.O. Smith will beat the consensus EPS estimate. Over the last four quarters, the company surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times.
Stay on top of upcoming earnings announcements with the Zacks Earnings Calendar.
Eaton těží z boomu datových center: objednávky vzrostly asi o 240 % meziročně a backlog odpovídá zhruba 11 letům výstavby. Boeing má kolem 54 miliard USD dluhu a 777X se zpozdil až do roku 2027.
When you have $10,000 to invest, where you refuse to put your money matters just as much as where you do put it. The industrial sector is booming right now, powered by the enormous electricity and data center build-out behind artificial intelligence, but not every industrial deserves your cash.
Here are two stocks I would buy for that tailwind, and one popular name I would steer well clear of, no matter how loud the comeback story gets.
Buy: Eaton Eaton (ETN +0.37%) is the electrical backbone of the AI era. It makes the equipment that moves and manages power inside data centers, factories, and the grid, and demand has gone vertical. Its data center orders recently jumped roughly 240% from a year earlier, and its total data center backlog now represents something like 11 years of construction at current build rates. That's extraordinary visibility for an industrial company. Management raised its 2026 growth outlook and is spending $1.5 billion to expand manufacturing so it can actually deliver on the orders stacking up.
Crucially, Eaton is not a one-trick data center bet. It also profits from grid modernization, the reshoring of American factories, and the electrification of buildings and aircraft, so several powerful trends push in the same direction at once.
I will point out the one real drawback: After a strong run, Eaton is not cheap, so a slowdown in data center spending would sting. But this is a diversified, profitable market leader riding a multi-year wave, and that combination justifies a premium. For $10,000 meant to compound over years, Eaton is the kind of quality anchor I want.
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Buy: Powell Industries Powell Industries (POWL +6.89%) is the smaller, punchier way to play the same trend. It builds electrical equipment for utilities, energy projects, and increasingly data centers, and its balance sheet is pristine: It holds hundreds of millions in cash with no meaningful debt, a genuine fortress. New orders recently surged around 97%, backlog hit a record, and the company landed the largest single order in its history, worth more than $400 million, tied to a data center.
Because Powell is a fraction of Eaton's size, each big win moves the needle far more, which gives it more torque as the build-out continues. The trade-off is that smaller industrials are more volatile and more exposed to a slip in any single project, and the stock has climbed sharply. Still, a debt-free company with a booming order book is exactly the profile I want for a smaller, higher-upside position.
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Avoid: Boeing Now the name I would avoid like the plague with fresh money: Boeing (BA 2.15%). Yes, the comeback is real on the surface. Deliveries have hit their highest level in years, and management is finally guiding to positive free cash flow for the first time since the 737 MAX crisis. Bulls have latched onto that narrative.
Image source: Getty Images.
But look harder and the risk-reward is poor. Boeing carries roughly $54 billion in debt against about $29 billion in cash (as of Q1), a precarious balance sheet for a company still fixing itself. Its 777X program has been delayed yet again into 2027, saddled with a nearly $5 billion charge and a fresh engine durability problem, the latest chapter in a long history of certification setbacks and broken timelines.
When a company repeatedly overpromises and underdelivers while drowning in debt, I don't want to be the one funding the hope. The turnaround may eventually work, but the same $10,000 buys cleaner, better-capitalized growth elsewhere.
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My view here is simple: Favor industrials with strong balance sheets and visible, contracted demand, and avoid those relying on a fragile turnaround and a mountain of debt. Eaton offers quality and scale, Powell offers a debt-free growth kicker, and both sit directly in the path of the electricity supercycle. Boeing, for all its recent momentum, remains a show-me story with too much leverage and too many broken promises for me to trust with new capital.
Split your $10,000 toward the businesses that are already delivering, and let the market keep dreaming on the one that isn't.
Eaton oznámil, že tržby z datových center v divizi Electrical Americas ve 1. čtvrtletí 2026 vzrostly meziročně přibližně o 50 %. Firma zároveň zvýšila výhled organického růstu pro rok 2026 na 9–11 %.
Key Takeaways Eaton's Electrical Americas data-center revenues rose about 50% year over year in first-quarter 2026.Boyd Thermal adds liquid cooling, while the NVIDIA-linked platform supports AI factory power needs.Strong demand prompted Eaton to raise its 2026 organic growth outlook to 9-11%. Eaton Corporation (ETN - Free Report) is increasingly emerging as a critical enabler of next-generation digital infrastructure amid the rapid expansion of AI-driven data centers. As hyperscalers and cloud providers build facilities capable of handling increasingly power-intensive AI workloads, dependable electrical infrastructure has become as essential as computing hardware. This shift positions Eaton to capitalize on a multi-year investment cycle extending beyond traditional industrial demand.
AI servers consume considerably more electricity and generate more heat than conventional computing systems, accelerating demand for advanced power distribution and thermal-management technologies. The transition toward high-density AI infrastructure is driving the need for integrated grid-to-chip power and cooling solutions, aligning well with Eaton’s electrical portfolio. The acquisition of Boyd Thermal further strengthens this opportunity by adding liquid-cooling capabilities.
In the first quarter of 2026, Eaton’s Electrical Americas data-center revenues increased approximately 50% year over year. Management also highlighted the Eaton Beam Rubin DSX platform, developed with NVIDIA, as an end-to-end power blueprint for AI factories. Supported by strong data-center and broader electrical-market demand, Eaton raised its 2026 organic growth outlook to 9-11%.
Eaton’s comprehensive product portfolio, expanding backlog, manufacturing-capacity investments and growing liquid-cooling presence should support sustained revenue growth while increasing its content per data-center project. Consequently, AI data centers represent a structural growth avenue rather than a short-term equipment cycle. As investment in AI infrastructure accelerates, Eaton’s role as a key provider of mission-critical electrical and cooling systems should continue to strengthen.
What About ETN’s Peers?The rapid buildout of AI data centers is unlocking substantial growth opportunities for Emerson Electric (EMR - Free Report) and Powell Industries (POWL - Free Report) .
Emerson is benefiting from increased demand for automation, software, and control solutions that enhance cooling, energy efficiency, and operational reliability in power-intensive facilities.
Powell is gaining from rising investments in medium-voltage switchgear and power distribution systems, both essential for uninterrupted data center operations.
As hyperscalers continue expanding AI infrastructure, Emerson is reinforcing its leadership in industrial automation, while Powell is strengthening its role in resilient electrical infrastructure.
ETN Price PerformanceShares of Eaton have gained 8.8% in a year, outperforming the industry.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
ETN’s Expensive ValuationEaton’s shares are trading at a premium compared with its industry. The company’s forward 12-month price-to-earnings of 27.39X is higher than its industry’s 23.24X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Estimate Movement for ETNThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for ETN’s second-quarter and third-quarter 2026 EPS has moved 1 cent north each in the past 30 days. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 EPS has moved 2 cents and 7 cents north, respectively, in the past 30 days.
Eaton, Vertiv a Caterpillar těží z výstavby datových center s umělou inteligencí: všechny tři ve 1. čtvrtletí překonaly odhady a zvýšily celoroční výhled. Největší tah trh vidí u energetiky a chlazení.
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AI data center construction is a power problem before it is a compute problem, and the equipment that moves, conditions, cools and backs up electricity inside those buildings is where the earnings leverage is showing up first.
Three U.S.-listed industrials have become the cleanest ways to own that buildout: Eaton (NYSE:ETN | ETN Price Prediction) for switchgear and thermal management, Vertiv (NYSE:VRT) for critical power and cooling infrastructure and Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) for on-site backup generation. Each posted a first-quarter beat, each raised guidance, and each is trading with a forward multiple that reflects real order acceleration rather than a story. Here is how they stack up going into the July earnings cycle.
The macro backdrop is unusually supportive. The Department of Energy projects data centers will account for up to 12% of U.S. electrical demand by 2028, and PJM Interconnection’s independent market monitor concluded that “data center load growth is the primary reason for recent and expected capacity market conditions” in the country’s largest grid region. That is the tailwind these three names are monetizing.
Eaton (ETN): The Compounding Acquirer Eaton makes the electrical guts of a data center: switchgear, busway, power distribution and now liquid cooling after closing Boyd Thermal. Shares traded around $413.98 on July 15, up 26.48% year to date, with a market cap near $158 billion. Forward earnings sits at 30x and the analyst consensus target at $455.79, with 22 Buy or Strong Buy ratings against four Hold ratings.
Q1 delivered adjusted EPS of $2.81 versus a $2.73 consensus on revenue of $7.45 billion, up 16.8% year over year. The number to anchor on is Electrical Americas: revenue rose 20% while the twelve-month rolling order book grew 42% organically, driven by data center demand. Total Electrical backlog is up 48%. Management closed $11 billion in acquisitions in the quarter, headlined by Boyd Thermal at $9.55 billion, and raised full-year adjusted EPS guidance to $13.05 to $13.50. CEO Paulo Ruiz called out “significant capacity expansion investments to meet demand” in Electrical Americas.
Risk: integration. Net interest expense jumped to $106 million from $33 million year over year, and GAAP EPS fell to $2.22 from $2.45 on acquisition charges. A stumble on Boyd or the planned Q1 2027 Mobility spin-off would compress the multiple quickly.
Vertiv (VRT): The High-Growth Pure Play Vertiv is the closest thing to a listed data-center-infrastructure pure play. On July 15, shares changed hands around $300.86, up more than 71% year to date and more than 136% over the past year. Forward earnings sits at 52x, with a consensus target of $377.40 and 22 Buy or Strong Buy ratings calls versus three Hold ratings.
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The re-rating has fundamentals behind it. Q1 revenue grew 30.1% to $2.65 billion, adjusted EPS of $1.17 beat by 15.68%, and Americas organic sales expanded 44%. Adjusted operating margin expanded 430 basis points to 20.8%. The leading indicator is Q4 2025 orders, which grew 252% year over year, pushing backlog to $15 billion at a book-to-bill near 2.9x. Vertiv joined the S&P 500 in March 2026 after picking up investment-grade ratings in February. Full-year adjusted EPS guidance was raised to $6.30 to $6.40, implying 50% to 52% growth at the midpoint.
Risk: valuation and geography. EMEA revenue declined 20.3%, and at 52x forward earnings with a beta of 2.03, any hiccup in the AI CapEx cycle would land squarely on this multiple. Shares already slipped 3.96% in the past week.
Caterpillar (CAT): The Scale Play With a Backup Power Kicker Caterpillar is the biggest of the three, at $438 billion in market cap, and its data center exposure runs through large reciprocating engines and turbines used for prime and backup power. Shares traded around $917.58 on July 15, up 53.34% year to date and 126.76% over the past 12 months. Forward earnings comes in at 39x, with an analyst target of $962.49 and a more mixed rating split: 15 Buy or Strong Buy ratings, 11 Hold ratings and two Sell ratings.
Q1 EPS of $5.54 topped the $4.64 consensus by 19.3% on revenue of $17.415 billion, up 22.2%. Power Generation, the product line closest to AI infrastructure, grew 41% to $2.817 billion. Momentum has been building for four straight quarters: +28% in Q2 2025, +31% in Q3, +44% in Q4, and +41% in Q1 2026. CEO Joe Creed pointed to “a record backlog” as the foundation for continued momentum. Capital returns underline the scale: $5.0 billion in buybacks and roughly $0.7 billion in dividends in the quarter, with a yield near 0.64%.
Risk: tariffs and cyclicality. Resource Industries segment profit fell 39% on tariff-driven manufacturing costs, and Caterpillar’s construction and mining exposure remains cyclical if dealer inventory builds outrun end-user demand.
Investors get three distinct expressions of the same trade here: Eaton for compounding execution and M&A optionality, Vertiv for the highest earnings growth rate at the highest multiple, and Caterpillar for scale, capital returns, and a Power Generation line that keeps re-accelerating. Second-quarter reports across the group will be the near-term catalyst worth watching.
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Key Takeaways Eaton closed 6.7% below its 52-week high, supported by electrification and data center demand.Eaton expects 2026 adjusted EPS of $13.05-$13.50 and organic revenue growth of 9-11%.Eaton's 24.72% ROE tops the industry, but its 27.96X forward P/E signals a premium valuation. Shares of Eaton Corporation (ETN - Free Report) closed at $407.28, a 6.7% discount to its 52-week high of $436.74. This diversified power management company and a global technology leader in electrical components and systems is gaining from rising electrification and data center demand.
Eaton has gained 1.3% in the past three months, outperforming the industry. It has, however, lagged its sector and the Zacks S&P 500 composite in the same time frame.
ETN vs Industry, Sector, S&P 500 in 3 Months
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Emerson Electric Co. (EMR - Free Report) and Powell Industries (POWL - Free Report) , both industrial tech stocks, have lost 3.9% and 0.9%, respectively, in the past three months.
Should you consider adding ETN stock to your portfolio based on positive price movement only? Let’s delve deeper and find out the factors that can help investors decide whether it is a good time to add ETN stock to their portfolio.
What’s Driving Eaton?Eaton is well-positioned to benefit from several long-term growth drivers, including grid modernization, expanding data center infrastructure, industrial automation, the global energy transition, and the recovery in aerospace markets. Its growing backlog reflects healthy customer demand and the company's ability to deliver reliable, mission-critical power management solutions.
Innovation and sustainability remain central to Eaton’s long-term strategy. The company plans to invest approximately $3 billion in research and development over the next decade to develop advanced, sustainable technologies, strengthen its product portfolio, and meet evolving customer needs while reinforcing its competitive position.
Strategic acquisitions also play an important role in Eaton’s growth strategy. During the first quarter, the company completed nearly $11 billion in acquisitions, expanding its presence in high-growth, high-margin markets and enhancing its long-term earnings potential.
The rapid expansion of AI-driven data centers presents a significant growth opportunity, as these facilities require greater power capacity and energy efficiency. Eaton continues to strengthen its position across the electrical power value chain while benefiting from robust demand in data center, utility, commercial aerospace and defense markets. Its diversified business portfolio, spanning industrial, utility, commercial, residential and aerospace end markets, helps reduce dependence on any single industry.
In addition, Eaton remains focused on improving operational efficiency and expanding margins through portfolio optimization, productivity initiatives and disciplined execution of its strategic growth plans.
Encouraging Estimates for EatonEaton now expects adjusted earnings per share in the range of $13.05-$13.50 for 2026 and organic revenue growth in the range of 9-11% in 2026.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2026 and 2027 revenues indicates a 15.9% and 10.3% year-over-year increase, respectively. The same for 2026 and 2027 earnings implies a 10.4% and a 17.4% year-over-year increase, respectively. The expected long-term earnings growth rate is pegged at 11.7%.
Analyst Sentiment on EatonThe Zacks Consensus Estimate for ETN’s 2026 earnings per share has witnessed no movement in the last 30 days, while the same for 2027 has moved 2 cents north in the same time.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Emerson’s 2026 earnings per share has witnessed no movement in the last 30 days, while the same for 2027 has moved up 1 cent north in the same time.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Powell’s 2026 and 2027 earnings per share has witnessed no movement in the last 30 days.
Eaton’s Return on Equity Is Better Than the IndustryReturn on equity (“ROE”) is a financial ratio that measures how well a company uses its shareholders’ equity to generate profits. The current ROE of the company indicates that it is using shareholders’ funds more efficiently than its peers.
Eaton’s trailing 12-month return on equity is 24.72%, ahead of the industry average of 20.32%.
ETN’s Prudent Capital DeploymentEaton continues to balance growth investments with cash generation. Management expects operating cash flow of $5.0-$5.4 billion and free cash flow of $3.9-$4.3 billion in 2026, which supports continued reinvestment and shareholder returns over time.
ETN’s management has raised dividends five times in the past five years. The current annual dividend is $4.40 per share, reflecting a dividend yield of 1.1%.
Is Eaton’s Stock Expensive?Eaton’s shares are trading at a premium compared with its industry. The company’s forward 12-month price to earnings of 27.96X is higher than its industry’s 23.7X and above the median of 23.71X over the last five years.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Eaton shares are more expensive than Emerson Electric but cheaper than Powell.
Parting Thoughts on ETNEaton continues to benefit from strong execution across its core businesses, supported by robust demand stemming from data center expansion. The company’s ongoing investments in research and development are driving innovation, strengthening its product portfolio, and enabling it to address evolving customer needs. In addition, strategic acquisitions are enhancing its technological capabilities, expanding its product offerings and increasing its exposure to high-growth markets.
Eaton’s investment outlook is supported by favorable earnings estimate revisions, healthy returns on investment, and a growing backlog that reflects sustained customer demand. However, given its premium valuation, it is better to adopt a wait-and-see approach for this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Intelligent power management company Eaton (NYSE:ETN) today announced its 2025 Sustainability Report, highlighting measurable progress and a sharper focus on driving impact at scale. As global power management demands become more complex, Eaton is advancing solutions that help customers operate more efficiently, strengthen resilience and reduce their environmental impact—while continuing to enhance transparency and accountability across its operations.
Highlights from Eaton’s sustainability report include:
Reduced Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions by 40% since 2018, up from 35% in 2024, with continued progress across the value chain 86% of sites certified as zero waste to landfill, with water mitigation measures implemented at water-stressed sites 96% of new products achieved a ‘Performer’ rating—Eaton’s standard for improved sustainability product performance Invested $2.1B in research and development of products and solutions that can enhance energy efficiency, improve safety, asset productivity and cost of ownership, among other customer requirements, since 2020, up from $1.7B in 2024, and progressing toward its goal to invest $3B by 2030. The report also outlines updated sustainability goals reflecting areas where the company can accelerate change at scale, while reaffirming existing commitments such as its Science Based Target initiative (SBTi)-validated net-zero emissions target for 2050.
“This report reflects the real, consistent progress we’re making—and how that progress is translating into practical solutions for our customers,” said Harold Jones, chief of staff and chief sustainability officer, Eaton. “As global demand for power accelerates, we’re focused on where we can have the greatest impact—helping customers use power more efficiently, strengthen resilience and reduce their environmental footprint, while continuing to reduce our own impact and hold ourselves accountable.”
Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility, industrial, commercial and institutional, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power ─ today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we’re helping to solve the world’s most urgent power management challenges and building a more sustainable society for people today and generations to come.
Founded in 1911, Eaton has continuously evolved to meet the changing and expanding needs of our stakeholders. With revenues of $27.4 billion in 2025, the company serves customers in 180 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.
JPMorgan uvedl, že více než 60 % plánované kapacity datacenter pro rok 2027 ještě nezačalo a dalších 7 % projektů se zpožďuje kvůli dodavatelským řetězcům, povolování a nedostatku energie.
A popular saying in professional sports is that Father Time is undefeated. The clock stops for no professional athlete. The same can be true of the current data center buildout.
A recent JPMorgan Chase report states that more than 60% of the planned data center capacity for 2027 has not yet been started. An additional 7% of projects under construction are being delayed by supply chain bottlenecks, permitting hurdles, and power shortages.
Investors who focus on FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt) argue that the shift out of technology stocks, particularly hyperscaler stocks, is evidence that the data center story is falling apart.
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But the recent earnings season refuted that point of view. Demand is real. The money is committed. In the last quarter, the four major hyperscalers raised their combined AI-related capital expenditures to $750 billion for this calendar year. That demand is expected to reach $1 trillion in 2027.
But the one factor that investors can’t control is the time it takes to actually build the data centers. The story has gotten ahead of the shovels.
Data Center Backlog Stocks Could Be the Bigger AI TradeA more likely reason for the selloff is rotation into the stocks of companies that are essential to filling this backlog. The companies supplying the equipment needed to build new facilities stand to be the largest beneficiaries.
One option for investors is to look at exchange-traded funds (ETFs) tied to physical data center infrastructure. One example is the Global X U.S. Infrastructure Development ETF BATS: PAVE, which is up 22% in 2026 as of this writing.
However, investors may do better by investing in individual stocks within these funds. That can provide the opportunity for market-beating gains and, in some cases, dividends that can beat the performance of a single fund.
Eaton Is Turning AI Data Center Spend Into Backlog GrowthEaton Today
$403.94 -15.93 (-3.79%)
As of 11:43 AM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$311.92▼
$436.74Dividend Yield1.09%
P/E Ratio39.35
Price Target$420.95
Eaton NYSE: ETN sells the electrical guts inside an AI data center. Think of switchgear, UPS systems, busways, and power distribution units that connect the grid to the server racks. The Q1 2026 numbers tell the story. In Eaton’s Electrical Americas segment, data center orders surged roughly 240% year over year, while data center revenue in the segment grew about 50%.
That growth is likely to accelerate. Eaton closed the Boyd Thermal acquisition to expand into liquid cooling. The company is also collaborating with NVIDIA NASDAQ: NVDA on the Beam Rubin DSX platform for AI factories. Plus, a planned Reverse Morris Trust deal will spin off Eaton's Mobility Group. That leaves a more focused Electrical and Aerospace business aligned squarely with AI buildout demand.
ETN is up 28% year-to-date, which lands it within 5% of its consensus price target. However, since the company’s Q1 2026 earnings report, analysts have been aggressively raising their price targets.
Why Quanta Services Offers the Clearest Backlog VisibilityQuanta Services Today
PWR
Quanta Services
$701.12 -17.47 (-2.43%)
As of 11:43 AM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$363.01▼
$788.75Dividend Yield0.06%
P/E Ratio95.86
Price Target$733.87
Quanta Services NYSE: PWR does the physical work that turns a data center site plan into delivered power. The company builds high-voltage transmission lines, substations, and load centers. At its 2026 Investor Day, management outlined a $2.4 trillion addressable market through 2030.
The backlog supports that forecast. Quanta exited Q4 with a $44 billion backlog, up 27.5% year-over-year. Management now guides for 15% to 20% annual EPS (earnings per share) growth through 2030. Internal training programs have built a skilled-labor moat that smaller rivals struggle to match. That gives PWR pricing power as electricians and linemen become scarce.
PWR is up over 65% year-to-date, and like ETN, it’s within about 5% of its consensus price target. But analyst sentiment is bullish, and the chart is constructive, with support at the 50-day simple moving average (SMA) and a MACD on the cusp of reversing.
Vertiv Turns AI Heat and Power Demand Into Backlog GrowthVertiv Today
$306.74 -18.83 (-5.78%)
As of 11:43 AM Eastern
This is a fair market value price provided by Massive. Learn more.
52-Week Range$110.06▼
$379.93Dividend Yield0.08%
P/E Ratio76.48
Price Target$326.39
Vertiv NYSE: VRT sells the power and thermal infrastructure inside the building. Once Quanta finishes the grid work, Vertiv's UPS systems, switchgear, racks, and liquid cooling take over. Roughly 75% of revenue now comes from data center customers. Q1 2026 revenue grew 30% to $2.65 billion. Project backlog more than doubled to over $15 billion.
Management raised its full-year guidance to $13.5 to $14 billion in net sales. Recent acquisitions of Strategic Thermal Labs and ThermoKey extend Vertiv from chip-level cold plates to facility-scale heat rejection. Vertiv was also named a Tier 1 partner on Hut 8's NASDAQ: HUT gigawatt-scale Beacon Point AI campus. Each hyperscaler win reinforces the picks-and-shovels thesis.
VRT is up over 95% in 2026 and is also trading within 5% of its consensus price target. The company also has the most mixed analyst picture of the three stocks on this list. But investors willing to play the long game should consider VRT's potential for strong dividend growth in the coming years.
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