On Friday, Needham maintained its Buy rating and $11.00 price target on Applied Digital (NASDAQ:APLD) stock, endorsing the company as a Top Pick for AI/HPC (artificial intelligence/high-performance computing).
The firm highlighted the growing role of AI/HPC as a positive influence on the bitcoin mining sector, noting that miners are well-positioned with over 6 gigawatts of capacity expected in the near-term pipeline. This capacity is seen as particularly beneficial against the backdrop of an anticipated shortage in HPC data centers.
Applied Digital's operational advantages were emphasized, with a preference for operators located in northern, colder climates that also have adequate fiber connectivity.
Applied Digital's construction of a 100MW HPC site in North Dakota, of which approximately 30% is completed, was noted as a significant development. The company also has a letter of intent (LOI) with a U.S. hyperscaler customer for an additional 400MW.
The firm's reiteration of the Buy rating and the selection of Applied Digital as a top pick reflect confidence in the company's strategic positioning within the AI/HPC infrastructure sector.
Applied Digital's progress is contrasted with other miners that also have capacity and similar ambitions, such as Core Scientific (NASDAQ:CORZ), Marathon Digital Holdings (NASDAQ:MARA), Bit Digital (NASDAQ:BTBT), and Hive Blockchain Technologies (NASDAQ:HIVE), which are pursuing segments of the AI/HPC market.
Needham's outlook for Applied Digital is rooted in the company's current initiatives and its alignment with market opportunities in the AI/HPC space. The firm's analysis suggests that Applied Digital is among the leaders in integrating AI/HPC infrastructure within the cryptocurrency mining industry.
In other recent news, Applied Digital Corporation has been making significant financial strides. The firm recently secured a $125 million financing commitment from CIM Group for the construction of its High-Performance Computing (HPC) Campus in Ellendale, ND.
This financing could potentially increase to $200 million upon mutual agreement. Moreover, the company issued a $42.1 million convertible debenture in a private financing agreement to further advance its HPC data center.
Applied Digital also reported a net loss of $62.8 million and revenues of $43.3 million for the fiscal third quarter, despite operational challenges such as power outages. The company is actively pursuing a substantial contract with a US-based hyperscaler for its Ellendale campus.
In a strategic move to bolster its leadership, Applied Digital appointed Todd Gale as its new Chief Development Officer and added Ella Benson as an independent director to its Board of Directors. These appointments signal the company's commitment to advancing its HPC data center and diversifying its customer base.
These recent developments highlight Applied Digital's ongoing efforts to secure its financial footing and strengthen its leadership team in pursuit of its growth initiatives.
InvestingPro Insights
In light of Needham's upbeat stance on Applied Digital (NASDAQ:APLD), the InvestingPro platform offers additional context that may be valuable for investors. According to real-time data, Applied Digital has a market cap of $585.87 million and has seen a staggering revenue growth of 252.07% over the last twelve months as of Q3 2024. This aligns with analysts' anticipation of sales growth in the current year, underscoring the company's expanding footprint in the AI/HPC sector.
InvestingPro Tips suggest that while the stock price has experienced significant volatility, with a 22.07% return over the last month, it has also faced challenges, such as weak gross profit margins at 18.09% and expectations of a net income drop this year. Moreover, the company does not pay dividends to shareholders, which is a consideration for income-focused investors.
For those considering a deeper dive into Applied Digital's financials and future outlook, InvestingPro offers an array of additional tips—there are 14 more tips available, providing a comprehensive analysis of the company's performance and prospects. By using the promo code PRONEWS24, investors can get an extra 10% off a yearly or biyearly Pro and Pro+ subscription, gaining access to valuable insights that can help in making informed investment decisions.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.