The artificial intelligence ( AI ) boom is creating investment opportunities beyond companies developing advanced chips and popular AI models.
As technology companies expand their data center capacity, demand is also rising for networking equipment, power systems, and cooling infrastructure.
This creates an opportunity to invest in businesses supplying essential components of the AI ecosystem rather than competing directly in the crowded AI-model market.
To this end, Finbold has identified two companies whose latest earnings reports highlight strong demand and significant growth potential.
Arista Networks (NYSE: ANET)
Arista Networks (NYSE: ANET ) is benefiting from the growing need for high-speed networking infrastructure as technology companies build larger AI data centers.
Its switches and networking systems allow thousands of processors to communicate efficiently, making them essential to large-scale AI workloads.
On November 3, Arista reported third-quarter 2026 revenue of $3.66 billion, up 58.5% from the same period in 2025 and above its own guidance of $3.3 billion. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share also rose to $1.20 from $0.77 a year earlier.
Management expects the momentum to continue, forecasting fourth-quarter revenue of $3.9 billion to $4 billion and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $1.26 to $1.30.
The company also announced new open Ethernet rack-scale architectures designed for AI networks, strengthening its position in infrastructure for increasingly demanding workloads.
Arista’s opportunity extends beyond AI training, as wider adoption of AI applications could drive demand for high-speed networking infrastructure. Its established relationships with major cloud and technology companies also provide a competitive advantage.
However, exposure to large customers, supply-chain constraints and competition remain risks.
Arista has warned that reliance on limited component suppliers and fluctuations in customer spending could affect its results. Its valuation also warrants attention following its strong recent growth.
At press time, ANET stock traded at $186, up 39% year-to-date.
ANET YTD stock price chart. Source: Finbold
Vertiv (NYSE: VRT)
On the other hand, Vertiv (NYSE: VRT) provides the power management and cooling systems needed to keep data centers operating.
The stock has gained about 14% year to date, trading at approximately $200 at press time.
VRT YTD stock price chart. Source: Google Finance
In its latest earnings release on October 28, Vertiv reported third-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings of $2.21 per share, up 78% year over year and 21.43% above the consensus estimate.
Net sales climbed 61% to $4.31 billion, reflecting continued demand for its data center infrastructure products.
Meanwhile, organic orders more than doubled year over year in the third quarter, while customer advance payments for undelivered equipment and services reached approximately $4.1 billion as of September 30, up from $1.1 billion a year earlier.
These figures suggest Vertiv is already benefiting from AI infrastructure demand, with its products addressing practical data center needs such as power distribution and cooling.
However, its growth depends partly on continued data center investment. Construction delays, rising costs or weaker spending by major technology companies could hurt orders and profitability, while its valuation warrants scrutiny given the strong growth already priced into expectations.
Featured image via Shutterstock
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