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Microsoft Scales Back on Data Center Leases Amid AI Spending Concerns

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Microsoft has pulled back from leasing new data center capacity in the U.S. and Europe, abandoning projects that would have used 2 gigawatts of electricity over the past six months. According to analysts at TD Cowen, the tech giant’s decision is driven by an oversupply of data center capacity relative to its current demand forecast, particularly in light of its shifting approach to supporting OpenAI’s ChatGPT workloads.

Shifting Focus and Market Impact

Investor skepticism has risen regarding the large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) investments made by U.S. tech giants, partly due to slower-than-expected returns and competition from Chinese startup DeepSeek, which offers AI solutions at significantly lower costs. As part of its pullback, Microsoft has decided not to support additional AI workloads, particularly those associated with OpenAI’s ChatGPT, a move that has been closely watched by industry analysts.

Microsoft’s withdrawal from certain data center projects has led to competitors stepping in to fill the void. Alphabet’s Google and Meta Platforms have moved to backfill the data center capacity, with Google focusing on international markets and Meta stepping in for U.S. projects. Despite these shifts, Microsoft remains committed to growing its infrastructure, with plans to invest $80 billion in AI infrastructure during this fiscal year, in line with its ongoing AI strategy.

Continuing Investment and Future Outlook

While Microsoft’s share price saw a slight decline of over 1% on Wednesday, the company reassured investors that its infrastructure growth plans will remain strong across all regions. The company has already scrapped leases with at least two private data center operators, a decision that aligns with its strategic pacing and adjustments to its AI needs.

Executives from both Microsoft and Meta defended their massive AI investments after the reveal of DeepSeek’s cost-effective technology in January, emphasizing that these investments are crucial to remaining competitive in the rapidly evolving AI space. Alphabet has also committed to increasing its AI spending this year, planning $75 billion, a 29% increase over Wall Street’s expectations.

Conclusion

Microsoft’s decision to scale back on data center leases highlights the evolving landscape of AI infrastructure spending, as companies adjust their strategies in response to market competition and changing demand. Despite this pullback, Microsoft’s commitment to AI remains strong, with a continued focus on investing heavily in the technology’s future.

Nvidia-Backed CoreWeave Targets $32 Billion Valuation in AI-Focused IPO

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CoreWeave, a cloud services provider backed by Nvidia, is targeting a valuation of up to $32 billion in its upcoming initial public offering (IPO) in the United States. The company aims to capitalize on strong demand for generative artificial intelligence (AI), marking a crucial moment for the revival of the U.S. IPO market. This listing is also seen as a key gauge of investor appetite for new entrants in the AI sector, which has driven stock market gains in recent years.

CoreWeave plans to sell 49 million shares, priced between $47 and $55 each, aiming to raise as much as $2.7 billion. In addition to its IPO, the company has secured significant AI partnerships, including an $11.9 billion infrastructure deal with OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT. As part of the IPO, CoreWeave will issue $350 million worth of shares to OpenAI in a private placement.

The company, which provides data center access and high-powered chips primarily from Nvidia, is aiming for a valuation of $26 billion to $32 billion, based on the IPO’s share pricing range. Nvidia, which currently owns 5.96% of CoreWeave’s Class A shares, will see its stake reduce to 5.05% post-offering.

CoreWeave’s IPO is considered a litmus test for the broader AI sector and the future of specialized data centers versus traditional cloud giants. If the IPO performs well, it could signal renewed confidence in IPOs, while a weak showing may raise concerns about investor appetite despite improving market conditions.

Jabil Raises 2025 Profit and Revenue Forecast Amid Data Center Demand

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Jabil (JBL.N) has raised its 2025 profit and revenue forecast, driven by strong demand for data center infrastructure amid the surge in artificial intelligence (AI) adoption. The electronic component maker surpassed Wall Street expectations for its second-quarter earnings, leading to a 6.5% rise in premarket trading on Thursday.

The AI boom has increased demand for data centers, benefiting Jabil and fueling growth in its semiconductor fabrication and test equipment business.

For the second quarter ending February 28, Jabil reported:

  • Adjusted earnings per share (EPS): $1.94, exceeding analysts’ estimate of $1.83 (LSEG data).

  • Quarterly revenue: $6.73 billion, above the forecasted $6.41 billion.

Following these strong results, Jabil updated its full-year projections:

  • Adjusted profit forecast: $8.95 per share, up from the previous $8.75.

  • Revenue forecast: $27.9 billion, revised from $27.3 billion.

Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Jabil continues to capitalize on AI-driven growth and expanding data center investments, reinforcing its market position in high-tech manufacturing.