3 Stocks Retail Investors Are Watching After Google’s $17b AI Data Center Move

AI data centers just pulled off another plot twist, with Google taking over Crusoe’s unfinished Wyoming project and lining up a reported US$17b build. That kind of spend ripples through everything from chips to power gear to construction, and investors generally seek to avoid being on the wrong side of that flow. This article walks through 3 stocks that screen as potential beneficiaries of the same news shock you are watching now.

The three stocks below are just a starting sample, since the full screen surfaced 44 more large cap AI data center infrastructure companies with equally interesting narratives that are not covered in this article.

If you want to identify and analyze potential AI data center infrastructure opportunities with more control, head straight to the AI Data Center Infrastructure screener.

Powell Industries (POWL)

Powell Industries plugs directly into the AI data center buildout by supplying the custom switchgear, power rooms, and control systems that keep high power campuses running safely and reliably.

Powell Industries generates its entire US$1.16b in revenue from electric equipment and related services, giving it a pure-play angle on large power projects, and the stock carries a roughly US$4.85b market cap.

"There is significant optimism that Powell's acquisition of Remsdaq and expansion into the electrical automation and SCADA markets will quickly and materially accelerate both revenue and margin growth, while integration risks and the lengthy sales cycles for new offerings could temper near-term financial impact."

What happens to margins if a single pressure point in those long data center project cycles starts to shift?

If that pressure finally eases, read the full narrative for Powell Industries to see how Powell Industries’ automation push could accelerate or stall the next leg of its story.

Rambus (RMBS)

Rambus plugs into the AI data center theme at the memory level, supplying the chips and IP that help hyperscale servers move data quickly enough to keep GPUs busy.

Rambus generates about US$796 million from semiconductors tied to memory interfaces and security IP, and with a roughly US$8 billion market cap it sits firmly in the large cap group this screener targets.

"Ongoing rapid growth in AI and data center workloads is accelerating the industry's need for high speed memory interfaces and connectivity. Rambus is now tying this to record quarterly revenue of US$207.4 million with guidance for further sequential revenue and EPS growth in Q3 2026, which points to continued support for top line revenue and earnings."

What happens if just one pressure point in that AI driven memory demand story shifts the balance between volume growth and pricing power?

If that balance starts to shift, read the full narrative for Rambus to see how Rambus could turn AI driven memory demand into something more resilient and less cyclical.

Generac Holdings (GNRC)

Generac Holdings ties directly into the AI data center power story, supplying backup generation, energy storage, and microgrid solutions that keep high density compute facilities online when the grid stumbles.

Generac Holdings designs energy technology for homes, businesses, and large facilities, including AI data centers. It generates about US$3.78b of revenue from the United States and around US$899 million from international customers, with a market value near US$10.4b.

For investors focused on the AI data center buildout, Generac matters because it provides the backup and distributed power gear that keeps massive GPU campuses running when utility infrastructure is stretched.

"Accelerating AI driven build outs of hyperscale and colocated data centers are now supported by Generac Holdings having about US$450m of expected 2026 data center revenue, a US$1.6b dedicated backlog, and multiple multiyear hyperscale agreements including an Amazon deal projected at about US$2.4b of deliveries in 2027 to 2028. Management has increased capital expenditure guidance to about 4.5% of 2026 net sales to fund the Belvidere packaging facility and expanded large megawatt capacity."

What happens to Generac’s earnings power if one key pressure point in that expanding AI focused order book shifts faster than management’s new capacity plans?

If that capacity squeeze is what you are watching, full narrative for Generac Holdings shows how Generac Holdings could turn AI data center demand into accelerating and less cyclical earnings power.

Seeking Alternatives Before The Crowd?

Fresh themes keep breaking out while older stories lose momentum and get caught by profit taking. Scan what is still under the radar for now and review the landscape.

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