We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
Everyone's Buying NVIDIA, but 2 Smaller AI Stocks Could Soar Higher
Read MoreHide Full Article
Key Takeaways
Western Digital expects stronger Q4 FY2026 revenues and higher margins on robust AI storage demand.
Seagate projects higher Q4 FY2026 revenues, backed by growing data-center storage demand and cash flow.
Western Digital and Seagate project strong earnings growth as AI storage demand remains robust.
The boom in artificial intelligence (AI) has led to persistent demand for NVIDIA Corporation’s (NVDA - Free Report) state-of-the-art AI hardware, including graphics processing units and Blackwell chips. That demand propelled NVIDIA to become the world’s most valuable company, with a market capitalization of over $4 trillion, and its stock has delivered strong returns over the past few years.
However, NVIDIA’s growth has led to the company trading at a premium in comparison to most of the other semiconductor players, leaving little room for disappointment if growth derails. A slowdown in AI infrastructure spending by hyperscale cloud providers could impact NVIDIA’s revenue and earnings growth, while competition from rivals like Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD - Free Report) continues to increase.
At the same time, U.S. export curbs on cutting-edge AI chips to China have constrained NVIDIA’s entry to a key market, potentially pressuring its margins. Additionally, NVIDIA remains exposed to supply-chain disruptions due to its dependency on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM - Free Report) for advanced chip production amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Given these challenges, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for NVIDIA to meet sky-high expectations. Thus, investors seeking AI exposure should look for much smaller companies with greater room for expansion. Notable among them are Western Digital Corporation (WDC - Free Report) and Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX - Free Report) , whose shares have soared 662.8% and 464.5%, respectively, over the past year, outpacing NVIDIA’s gain of 22.6%.
Both Western Digital and Seagate stand to gain from the rapid growth in AI-driven demand for data storage. Let’s take a closer look at the key catalysts that could drive further upside in these AI stocks –
Western Digital’s AI Storage Boom Could Drive Further Upside
Rising demand for high-value enterprise hard disk drives and a favorable pricing environment have created a solid growth runway for Western Digital. The company’s revenues totaled $3.34 billion in the fiscal third quarter of 2026, up 45% year over year, according to the company’s press release.
Furthermore, the company expects revenues for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2026 to be about $3.65 billion, plus or minus $100 million. The upbeat guidance reflects robust demand for AI infrastructure, with cloud providers and enterprise customers continuing to invest in high-capacity storage to meet increasing AI workloads.
In the fiscal third quarter, Western Digital’s non-GAAP gross margin rose to 50.5% from 40.1% in the prior-year period. The company projects further margin expansion, with fiscal fourth-quarter non-GAAP gross margin expected to reach 51-52%. The improving gross margin is providing Western Digital with greater financial flexibility to invest in research and development, enhance earnings growth and create long-term value for shareholders.
As a result, the company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 104.1%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate of $10.06 for WDC’s earnings per share (EPS) is up 54.8% year over year.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Seagate’s AI Infrastructure Play Gains Momentum Amid Rising Demand
Seagate is well-positioned to sustain its growth momentum, banking on rising data-center storage demand, expanding margins, and robust cash flows. These favorable trends could provide the required upside for Seagate’s shares, strengthening its position as a potential beneficiary of the AI infrastructure boom.
For the fiscal fourth quarter of 2026, Seagate expects revenues of around $3.45 billion, plus or minus $100 million, more than the $3.11 billion reported in the fiscal third quarter of 2026, according to investors.seagate.com.
Moreover, a non-GAAP gross margin of 47% in the fiscal third quarter reflected improved operational execution and enhanced profitability. Additionally, the company’s free cash flow of $953 million in the fiscal third quarter showcased the strength in its core business.
Supported by these trends, Seagate’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year stands at 84.3%, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $14.93 for STX’s EPS represents a 47.5% increase from the prior-year period.
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
Everyone's Buying NVIDIA, but 2 Smaller AI Stocks Could Soar Higher
Key Takeaways
The boom in artificial intelligence (AI) has led to persistent demand for NVIDIA Corporation’s (NVDA - Free Report) state-of-the-art AI hardware, including graphics processing units and Blackwell chips. That demand propelled NVIDIA to become the world’s most valuable company, with a market capitalization of over $4 trillion, and its stock has delivered strong returns over the past few years.
However, NVIDIA’s growth has led to the company trading at a premium in comparison to most of the other semiconductor players, leaving little room for disappointment if growth derails. A slowdown in AI infrastructure spending by hyperscale cloud providers could impact NVIDIA’s revenue and earnings growth, while competition from rivals like Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD - Free Report) continues to increase.
At the same time, U.S. export curbs on cutting-edge AI chips to China have constrained NVIDIA’s entry to a key market, potentially pressuring its margins. Additionally, NVIDIA remains exposed to supply-chain disruptions due to its dependency on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSM - Free Report) for advanced chip production amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Given these challenges, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for NVIDIA to meet sky-high expectations. Thus, investors seeking AI exposure should look for much smaller companies with greater room for expansion. Notable among them are Western Digital Corporation (WDC - Free Report) and Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX - Free Report) , whose shares have soared 662.8% and 464.5%, respectively, over the past year, outpacing NVIDIA’s gain of 22.6%.
Both Western Digital and Seagate stand to gain from the rapid growth in AI-driven demand for data storage. Let’s take a closer look at the key catalysts that could drive further upside in these AI stocks –
Western Digital’s AI Storage Boom Could Drive Further Upside
Rising demand for high-value enterprise hard disk drives and a favorable pricing environment have created a solid growth runway for Western Digital. The company’s revenues totaled $3.34 billion in the fiscal third quarter of 2026, up 45% year over year, according to the company’s press release.
Furthermore, the company expects revenues for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2026 to be about $3.65 billion, plus or minus $100 million. The upbeat guidance reflects robust demand for AI infrastructure, with cloud providers and enterprise customers continuing to invest in high-capacity storage to meet increasing AI workloads.
In the fiscal third quarter, Western Digital’s non-GAAP gross margin rose to 50.5% from 40.1% in the prior-year period. The company projects further margin expansion, with fiscal fourth-quarter non-GAAP gross margin expected to reach 51-52%. The improving gross margin is providing Western Digital with greater financial flexibility to invest in research and development, enhance earnings growth and create long-term value for shareholders.
As a result, the company’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year is 104.1%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate of $10.06 for WDC’s earnings per share (EPS) is up 54.8% year over year.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Seagate’s AI Infrastructure Play Gains Momentum Amid Rising Demand
Seagate is well-positioned to sustain its growth momentum, banking on rising data-center storage demand, expanding margins, and robust cash flows. These favorable trends could provide the required upside for Seagate’s shares, strengthening its position as a potential beneficiary of the AI infrastructure boom.
For the fiscal fourth quarter of 2026, Seagate expects revenues of around $3.45 billion, plus or minus $100 million, more than the $3.11 billion reported in the fiscal third quarter of 2026, according to investors.seagate.com.
Moreover, a non-GAAP gross margin of 47% in the fiscal third quarter reflected improved operational execution and enhanced profitability. Additionally, the company’s free cash flow of $953 million in the fiscal third quarter showcased the strength in its core business.
Supported by these trends, Seagate’s expected earnings growth rate for the current year stands at 84.3%, while the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $14.93 for STX’s EPS represents a 47.5% increase from the prior-year period.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Both Western Digital and Seagate currently have a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.