At the same time, thematic AI capital deployment is underway, and it’s vast. To show you what I mean, here are the top three AI infrastructure stocks for 2026.
AI Infrastructure Stocks Loved by Institutional Investors
The current market rise is being fueled by the AI infrastructure build-out, which covers five layers:
With NVIDIA’s (NVDA) recent beat and raise, the AI trade is far from over. That said, it’s important to own the AI infrastructure stocks loved by institutional investors.
And Big Money has been focusing on the first three layers. So, let’s take a deeper look at the infrastructure involved and some of the key players.
Three Layers
Let’s start at layer one. It’s what’s built from the ground up – think land, buildings, and physical structures.
Institutional inflows are finding Sterling Infrastructure (STRL), a $23 billion company focused on e-infrastructure, transportation, highways, roads, drainage and more. It’s no wonder why:
- $825.7 million in revenue vs. $603.6 million expected
- Per-share earnings of $3.59 vs. $2.28 estimates
- EPS guidance of $18.725 vs. $13.73
- Up 145% YTD
Smart investors bid stocks up ahead of rosy earnings numbers, which is what happened with STRL last July:
Nine outlier inflows powered the huge rise and shows the value in tracking money flows.
Layer two is about power. Here we have electrical solutions provider nVent Electric (NVT).
It’s achieved a $27 billion market cap supporting data centers, utilities, energy storage, and more. The performance is strong:
- Sales guidance of +29% vs. +18.2% expected (revenue around $1.25 billion)
- Full-year EPS guidance of $4.50, up from prior guide of $4.20
- Up 58% YTD
Institutions again were on it early, with big buying starting last summer. The recent outlier inflows show powerful conviction:
Following the flows brings big gains!
Lastly, layer three is about managing data center temperatures. Here we have an infrastructure company focused on cooling – Vertiv (VRT).
It designs and manufactures thermal management solutions, rack systems, and more. It joined the S&P 500 not long ago and sports a $121 billion market cap. Again, the numbers are excellent:
- Quarterly EPS of $1.17 vs. $1 estimates
- Sales guidance of $13.75 billion vs. $13.63 billion projected
- EPS guidance of $6.43 in 2026 and $10.96 in 2028
- Up 94% YTD
And it’s loved by institutions:
Once again Big Money was early. But this trade has room to run.
How Outliers are Made
Three layers, three themes, and all of them are getting institutional love. Big Money is clearly powering the lift higher.
And don’t forget, the flows aren’t slowing. Superior fundamentals and institutional support are how long-lasting outliers are made.
If you are a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) or a serious investor, take your investing to the next level and follow our free weekly MoneyFlows insights.
Disclosure: the author holds no positions in NVDA, STRL, NVT, or VRT at the time of publication.
