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Microsoft Signs $9.7 Billion Cloud Deal with IREN to Boost AI Computing Power

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Microsoft has signed a $9.7 billion cloud computing deal with U.S.-based data center operator IREN to expand its artificial intelligence infrastructure and ease ongoing computing bottlenecks. The agreement, which includes access to Nvidia’s powerful GB300 chips, underscores the growing global demand for AI processing capacity.

Shares of IREN surged nearly 25% to a record high following the announcement before settling up around 10%. Dell Technologies, which will supply Nvidia’s advanced chips and related equipment to IREN, also gained about 1%. Under the five-year agreement, Microsoft will use roughly $5.8 billion worth of IREN’s computing hardware and infrastructure capacity.

The deal allows Microsoft to scale its AI operations without immediately building new data centers or acquiring additional power resources — key hurdles that have limited the company’s ability to meet soaring demand for applications like ChatGPT and Copilot. The approach also helps reduce heavy capital spending on rapidly depreciating hardware as newer processors enter the market.

IREN operates data centers across North America with a total capacity of 2,910 megawatts. The Nvidia chips will be deployed in phases through 2026 at the company’s 750-megawatt facility in Childress, Texas, which will include liquid-cooled centers providing 200 megawatts of new IT capacity.

The deal follows Microsoft’s recent $17.4 billion agreement with AI cloud provider Nebius and reflects the company’s strategy to leverage “neocloud” partners such as IREN and CoreWeave to expand capacity. IREN said Microsoft’s prepayment will help fund its $5.8 billion Dell contract, though the deal could be canceled if deadlines are missed.

SAP Misses Q3 Revenue Estimates as Cloud Growth Slows, Shares Drop

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German enterprise software giant SAP reported third-quarter revenue slightly below analyst expectations, sending its U.S.-listed shares down 3% in after-hours trading. The company posted revenue of €9.08 billion ($10.59 billion), a 7% year-on-year increase but short of the €9.17 billion forecast by analysts, according to LSEG IBES data.

SAP’s cloud business, a key growth driver, rose 22% — its slowest pace since late 2023. CFO Dominik Asam said the company “maintained forward momentum despite an uncertain macroeconomic backdrop.” SAP has been shifting from traditional software licenses to a subscription-based cloud model, seeking more stable long-term revenue streams.

Non-IFRS operating profit grew 14% to €2.57 billion, slightly above estimates, while free cash flow increased 5% to €1.27 billion. Looking ahead, SAP expects 2025 cloud revenue to reach the lower end of its forecast range (€21.6–21.9 billion), but operating profit is anticipated at the upper end (€10.3–10.6 billion). Free cash flow guidance was raised slightly to between €8 billion and €8.2 billion.

IBM’s Cloud Growth Slows Despite Strong AI Mainframe Demand and Solid Q3 Results

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IBM reported third-quarter revenue and profit that beat market expectations, but investor optimism dimmed as growth in its key cloud software division slowed. The company’s shares fell 5% in after-hours trading, despite strong results driven by soaring demand for its new AI-powered mainframe systems.

Revenue in the hybrid cloud unit, which includes Red Hat, rose 14% compared to 16% in the previous quarter — a slowdown that raised investor concern about IBM’s ability to fully capitalize on the global cloud boom. Total quarterly revenue reached $16.33 billion, surpassing analyst estimates of $16.09 billion, according to LSEG data.

CEO Arvind Krishna said IBM expects Red Hat’s growth to return to mid-teen levels by 2026. Analysts noted that the deceleration in software sales may disappoint investors, given the segment’s high margins. However, IBM’s infrastructure division, housing its mainframe business, was a standout performer with revenue up 17% to $3.56 billion.

The new mainframe, optimized for AI workloads, is being widely adopted in the financial sector due to its data security and encryption strengths. IBM’s total AI-related business has grown to $9.5 billion, up $2 billion from the previous quarter. The company raised its full-year outlook, now expecting revenue growth above 5% at constant currency.