Microsoft Stock And 2 AI Infrastructure Plays Backed by Cloud and Chip Demand

Artificial intelligence stocks sit at the crossroads of powerful market forces right now. Inflation and interest rate debates are front and center, energy prices are volatile and global growth signals vary by region. Yet demand for chips, cloud and software that support tools like ChatGPT and other AI applications continues to be a major focus for many companies and governments. This AI Stocks screener filters for businesses that are directly involved in semiconductors, software, large language models and cloud infrastructure. In this article, you will see 3 stocks from the AI Stocks screener that many investors are watching closely.

Roper Technologies (ROP)

Overview: Roper Technologies is a US based group of software and technology businesses that focuses on niche markets such as healthcare, education, insurance, industrial measurement and faith based organizations, providing mission critical cloud software, data analytics and technology enabled products used in everyday operations.

Operations: Roper Technologies generates about US$4.7b from Application Software, US$1.7b from Network Software and US$1.9b from Technology Enabled Products, with software now the largest contributor to revenue.

Market Cap: US$38.8b

Roper Technologies is attracting attention from AI focused investors because a large part of its portfolio is vertical market SaaS that is already embedding AI into real world workflows, from healthcare analytics to church management and insurance software. Recent results showed revenue and EPS growth, raised guidance and active buybacks, while management is talking about more than US$5b of future acquisitions to deepen that software mix. At the same time, high debt, reliance on ongoing deal making and forecasts for slower earnings in coming years mean you need to weigh balance sheet risk and integration challenges carefully. The combination of AI exposure, recurring software revenue and these risk factors makes Roper a stock worth watching closely in this screener.

Roper Technologies looks like an AI workflow engine hiding in plain sight, with recurring software and planned acquisitions pointing to a much bigger story. Get the full picture in the 3 key rewards and 4 important warning signs (1 is major!)

Microsoft (MSFT)

Overview: Microsoft is a global technology company that sells productivity software like Microsoft 365 and Teams, runs the Azure cloud and AI platform that powers many enterprise workloads, and offers consumer products such as Windows, Xbox and Surface devices.

Operations: Microsoft generates about US$140b from Productivity and Business Processes, US$138b from Intelligent Cloud and US$54b from More Personal Computing.

Market Cap: US$3,349.7b

Microsoft is at the center of the AI build out through Azure, Copilot and a mix of OpenAI and in house models. This is backed by very high margins and earnings growth that has been in the mid teens per year. Heavy data center spending, partnership risks around OpenAI and ongoing regulatory scrutiny on cloud and subscriptions sit on the other side of the ledger, along with questions over a shrinking PC market and a third place Xbox franchise. Yet a huge commercial backlog, strong governance and high returns on equity give Microsoft firepower to fund AI and cloud expansion while absorbing missteps. The most important question for investors now is how that AI investment, valuation gap and risk mix really stack up over the next few years.

Microsoft’s AI push is accelerating, yet the real story sits in how its business mix, margins and risks fit together. Get the full context in the analysis report for Microsoft

Allegro MicroSystems (ALGM)

Overview: Allegro MicroSystems designs and sells sensor and power management chips that help control motion and manage energy in systems like electric vehicles, robots, factory equipment and AI data center hardware, supplying automotive and industrial customers across the US, Europe and Asia.

Market Cap: US$7.7b

Allegro MicroSystems is drawing fresh interest because it sits where electrification, automation and AI data centers meet. The company’s magnetic sensors and power ICs are built into EV inverters, ADAS systems, robotics and data center cooling, and management recently reported record data center revenue at 17% of sales with a growing backlog. Analyst forecasts currently indicate expectations for earnings growth and stronger margins, citing manufacturing improvements and higher value products. Against that, investors may want to weigh valuation signals, reliance on automotive demand, competition in China and a funding structure that leans on external borrowing. For AI focused investors, the key consideration is whether Allegro’s product depth and design wins adequately compensate for those risks and the current price level.

Allegro MicroSystems sits where electrification and AI data centers are accelerating, yet many investors still treat it like a standard auto supplier. See how the analyst forecasts for Allegro MicroSystems reframes that story before one risk shifts the narrative.

The three stocks in this article are just a starting point, and the full Artificial Intelligence/ AI Stocks screener surfaces 669 more companies that sit inside the AI build out with equally compelling stories behind their numbers. Use Simply Wall St to identify, filter and analyze the specific catalysts and narratives that matter to you, so you can focus on the AI stocks that best fit your own highest conviction ideas.

Take Control of Your Investment Journey

If Roper Technologies or any of these companies have caught your attention, register for FREE with Simply Wall St and add your companies to a Watchlist to monitor the share price against the fair value and track any new developments as they happen. Once you've made your move, manage your holdings with our Portfolio Command Center that filters out the noise to deliver only the most critical, actionable updates. Throughout your journey, our Community allows you to filter the best ideas from thousands of investor perspectives. By uncovering hidden catalysts and risks early, you'll accelerate your decision-making and stay one step ahead of the market.

Seeking Fresh Alternatives Before They Fly?

New ideas can move from quiet to crowded quickly. Consider these fresh stock lists while they are still under the radar and before they attract wider attention.

• Target steadier compounding potential by scanning companies with strong finances through the list of solid balance sheet and fundamentals (45 results) before the crowd catches on.
• Explore structural shifts in energy by reviewing the curated 88 nuclear energy infrastructure stocks while the transition story is still developing.
• Identify materials momentum early by checking the focused 8 top copper producer stocks before these suppliers are widely recognized.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com