Data centers are at the heart of the artificial intelligence boom. As technology companies spend billions of dollars to expand AI capacity, demand is rising for the equipment that powers, cools, and connects these facilities. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global data center market could top $300 billion in 2026 and grow to more than $690 billion by 2034. Against this backdrop, Vertiv (VRT), Celestica (CLS), and Arista Networks (ANET) stand out as three data center stocks analysts expect to outperform in the second half of 2026.
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Vertiv makes power and cooling systems used in data centers. Demand for its products has grown as tech firms build more AI facilities.
That demand has continued to support the company’s growth. Vertiv recently raised its 2026 outlook and expanded its cooling business through the ThermoKey acquisition. The deal boosts the company’s reach in Europe and the Middle East. Vertiv has also strengthened ties with Nvidia (NVDA). The two companies worked together on a framework for Nvidia’s Omniverse platform, giving Vertiv a larger role in the growing AI data center market.
Wall Street has a Strong Buy consensus rating on Vertiv stock. The average VRT analyst price target of $377.35 implies 18.5% upside potential from current levels.
Celestica (CLS)
Celestica makes hardware used in data centers. The company has benefited from strong demand for AI equipment.
The company recently beat earnings estimates and raised its 2026 outlook. Growth was driven by strong demand from cloud customers. Celestica is also expanding its networking business as data centers upgrade their systems.
Analysts remain bullish on the stock as AI spending continues to grow. Wall Street has a Strong Buy consensus rating on Celestica. The average CLS analyst price target of $455.07 implies nearly 30% upside potential from current levels.
Arista Networks (ANET)
Arista Networks makes networking gear used in data centers. Its products help connect servers and move large amounts of data across AI systems.
The company recently topped Wall Street’s expectations. Revenue rose to $2.71 billion, and management raised its full-year revenue outlook to $11.5 billion. Arista also launched its new 7060XE7 Series to support the next wave of AI data center growth. Wall Street analysts expect Arista to deliver more than 21% earnings growth this year.
Wall Street has a Strong Buy consensus rating on Arista. The average ANET analyst price target of $190.31 implies 17.3% upside potential from current levels.
