3 Must-Buy Non-Tech Stocks for the Long Term Amid AI Data Center Boom

The burgeoning AI-driven data center market, projected to reach $7 trillion in infrastructure capex by 2030, is creating significant opportunities for non-technology firms. Comfort Systems USA (FIX) is well-positioned to capitalize on demand for specialized HVAC and precision cooling systems in these facilities, with an expected 15.5% revenue growth. Talen Energy (TLN) is addressing the escalating power needs, expanding its nuclear energy supply to Amazon Web Services with 1,920 MW through 2042, as data centers could consume 12% of U.S. power by 2030. MasTec (MTZ) is poised for growth by providing critical infrastructure construction for communications and energy, supporting the power-intensive AI expansion.

Analysis

The secular expansion of AI-driven data centers, projected to command approximately $7 trillion in infrastructure capital expenditure by 2030, is creating significant downstream opportunities in non-technology sectors. The analysis identifies three companies positioned to capitalize on this build-out. Comfort Systems USA (FIX) is set to benefit from the critical demand for specialized HVAC and precision cooling systems, supported by a projected 52.4% earnings growth and 15.5% revenue growth for the current year. Similarly, MasTec (MTZ), an infrastructure construction firm, is exposed to the build-out of essential power delivery and communications networks, with an expected 58% earnings growth and 13.6% revenue growth. Talen Energy (TLN) is addressing the exponential increase in power consumption, highlighted by its expanded long-term agreement to supply Amazon Web Services with 1,920 MW of nuclear power through 2042. However, while TLN's strategic positioning is clear with revenue projected to grow 11.7%, its financial profile presents a notable contradiction with a forecasted earnings decline of -38.8% for the current year, warranting deeper investigation despite recent positive estimate revisions.

Key Decisions for Investors

• Investors seeking derivative plays on the AI secular trend should evaluate infrastructure and energy providers like MTZ, FIX, and TLN, which stand to benefit from the physical build-out of data centers.
• Comfort Systems (FIX) and MasTec (MTZ) appear compelling for growth-focused portfolios, given their strong projected earnings growth of over 50% and double-digit revenue growth, supported by positive analyst estimate revisions.
• While Talen Energy's (TLN) long-term nuclear power agreement with Amazon offers significant revenue visibility, the projected -38.8% earnings decline for the current year signals a material risk factor that requires thorough due diligence to understand the pressure on profitability.