The Traveling Trader
Founder of The Traveling Trader, Market-Open Livestreams
Vertiv's growth and cash flow make its valuation the better risk/reward than Bloom Energy at these prices. It is the one I'd buy first for a long-term hold: 23x next year's earnings with 37% EPS growth, nearly $3B in free cash flow and almost no net debt. Adjusted operating profit of $1.087B topped the $938M guidance ceiling; revenue and EPS also beat estimates. x.comÂ
Vertiv's broad earnings beats strengthen the case that it can scale profitably despite execution risk. Revenue grew 61.2% year over year versus 40.1% expected, and operating margin reached 25.2% versus 24.6% expected. Full-year guidance of $14.65B in revenue and $7.15 in EPS exceeds estimates of $14.008B and $6.73. x.comÂ
Bloom Energy could look cheap if it hits its revenue targets amid exploding demand for on-site power. Revenue is projected at $4.5B in 2026 and $16B by 2029, implying 3.5x 2029 sales at a $56B market cap. It ranks alongside Forgent Power Solutions, perhaps better, as a buy at current levels. x.com x.comÂ
Vertiv is a great company, supplying the power and cooling AI data centers need as rack densities climb past 100kW, with its cooling systems a major draw. Its liquid-cooling, power, heat-rejection and prefabricated modular systems bring more of the data-center stack under one roof, which could become a meaningful competitive advantage. Grid power and thermal capacity, not silicon supply, are now the limiting factor in AI. x.com x.comÂ
Bloom Energy looks more appealing after beating earnings estimates by a wide margin while trading at about 55 times earnings near $200. The market paid $350 in June, but the company now earns far more than expected despite a 33% share-price drawdown. x.comÂ
Vertiv's surging orders and Q3 growth show AI infrastructure demand exceeding expectations. Per WallStEngine, revenue rose 61% to $4.3B, adjusted EPS rose 78% to $2.21, organic orders grew more than 100%, and FY26 guidance was raised above estimates. Vertiv is delivering into accelerating demand for its power and cooling equipment. x.com x.comÂ
Vertiv is investable only on pullbacks because its valuation is borderline rich. Fundamentals are elite: Q2 sales rose 24.1% to $3.27 billion, adjusted operating margin reached 22.6%, it has net cash and a $15 billion backlog. But GuruFocus puts fair value at $157.57 versus a $223.58 price, and the P/E of about 65x is well above the industry's 37x. Red flags include fraud investigations after the post-earnings drop, reliance on hyperscaler capex and project-timing risk. x.comÂ
Bloom Energy's results show hyperscalers paying for faster data-center power sooner than modeled. Revenue hit $1.24B versus $1.05B expected, and 2026 guidance rose to $4.4-4.6B; S&P 500 inclusion brings index buying. Operating cash flow was slightly negative as capacity expands. Bloom is not cheap after a 160% run and expectations are high. Overweight, $334 target with 40% stated upside. x.com x.comÂ
Bloom Energy alone can solve the electricity shortage for now. That warrants a high P/E, and its growth should be even stronger than the market expects. x.comÂ
Vertiv looks expensive against its earnings, at 58x trailing and 28x next year's versus about 19x for its industry. Applying 19x to next year's $9.10 EPS gives fair value of roughly $152-$194, and the stock trades 33% above that high end. The valuation leans on forecasts, with forward earnings 106% above trailing. This is a levels-only read from reported earnings and estimates, without fundamental work. x.comÂ
Vertiv is a great company that should be a long-term winner even if it struggles short term. In the near term there is cautious optimism that it holds its new floor in the $250s. Its market cap is too high for personal buying right now, though. x.comÂ
