Arista Networks And 2 Other AI Infrastructure Stocks To Own

When Samsung and its partners commit US$1 billion to an AI data center builder, it underscores where the real money is going. The spotlight often sits on headline AI models, but the essential picks and shovels are the power, cooling and network players that make those models possible. This article walks through three stocks from our infrastructure focused AI screener that exemplify that opportunity.

The three stocks below are a sample set. The full screen surfaced 84 more AI infrastructure companies with equally compelling narratives that are not covered in this article. To identify and analyze the highest conviction picks in this space, go straight to the AI Infrastructure Stocks screener.

Arista Networks (ANET)

Arista Networks is one of the purest AI infrastructure plays in this list, wiring together the high bandwidth data center networks that let GPU clusters actually move data at scale.

"The migration of AI networking from proprietary standards to open Ethernet solutions remains a live shift. Arista Networks’ focus on Ethernet, merchant silicon and a single EOS software stack positions its switching platforms for a larger share of AI data center spend, with potential benefits for revenue scale and operating margins."

What happens to those margin ambitions if a single assumption about how fast hyperscalers standardize on this approach breaks?

Arista Networks develops client to cloud networking gear and software that ties directly into AI data center buildouts, with all US$10.5b of recent revenue coming from computer networks and a market value of about US$260.5b.

If that assumption matters to your thesis, read the full narrative for Arista Networks to see how shifting AI network standards could accelerate or stall Arista Networks’ momentum.

Lumentum Holdings (LITE)

Lumentum Holdings builds the optical plumbing that lets AI data move quickly between servers, using photonic components that feed into hyperscale data centers as well as telecom, industrial and consumer applications, with about US$3 billion in Integrated Enterprise revenue and a roughly US$84.5 billion market value.

Lumentum matters for this AI infrastructure screen because its lasers and optical modules are part of the physical wiring that keeps GPU heavy data centers fed with bandwidth, yet the real story here hinges on how that demand rhythm plays out.

"The tension: cloud optics revenue is tied to hyperscaler CapEx cycles, which have historically been boom and bust. If training‑cluster buildout peaks and inference networking does not fill the gap, revenue growth could decelerate sharply."

The appeal of Lumentum’s AI optics hinges on how one unresolved pressure shapes future pricing power and the strength of that growth curve.

That pressure point is exactly where your edge can come from. Read the full narrative for Lumentum Holdings to see how Lumentum could decouple optics growth from CapEx swings.

Vertiv Holdings Co (VRT)

Vertiv Holdings Co designs the power, cooling, and modular infrastructure that keeps AI heavy data centers running, with AI linked liquid cooling and high density thermal systems integrated into a broader portfolio that generated about US$7.5b from the Americas, US$2.7b from Asia Pacific, and US$2.4b from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and a market value near US$97.5b.

Vertiv matters for this screener because its liquid cooling and high density thermal systems sit right where AI power demand meets physics. That turns that constraint into a business that is tightly wired into data center buildouts.

"The liquid cooling market is already growing at roughly 20-30% annually as hyperscalers like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon race to build AI infrastructure. Vertiv's Q4 2025 organic orders surged 252% year-over-year, and its $15 billion backlog is equivalent to roughly 1.5 years of trailing revenue."

The real swing factor is what happens to Vertiv’s margins and growth if one key assumption about AI data center build intensity shifts.

That inflection point is exactly where Vertiv can surprise on the upside, so read the full narrative for Vertiv Holdings Co to see how accelerating AI demand could reshape the story.

Seeking Fresh Alternatives Before They Fly?

Markets move fast and the strongest themes often break out before most investors even notice. Use these fresh stock lists while it matters and get in early.

• Target reliable cash generators that do not rely on hype cycles by scanning a curated list of solid balance sheet and fundamentals (25 results) before the crowd narrows in.
• Ride structural shifts in global energy by tracking infrastructure players inside the 19 nuclear energy infrastructure stocks while sentiment is still catching up.
• Position ahead of automation tailwinds by reviewing the hand picked 92 robotics and automation stocks that could benefit as demand for efficiency keeps building.

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