In this article, we will discuss the 7 Best Electrical Contracting Stocks to Buy for Data Hall Fit-outs.
Behind every artificial intelligence breakthrough, every cloud computing platform, and every streaming service running seamlessly on a billion devices, there is a physical building consuming extraordinary amounts of power and a specialized contractor who built it. That’s the often-overlooked premise behind electrical contracting stocks tied to data hall fit-outs, a niche but enormously lucrative corner of the construction and engineering sector that is experiencing demand unlike anything in its history.
At its core, the investment case is being driven by an infrastructure imperative. The exponential growth of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and hyperscale data processing has triggered a global data center construction boom; such data centers are highly electrically complex, requiring specialist contractors with deep expertise in high-voltage power distribution, redundant cooling systems, precision cable management, and mission-critical commissioning standards that leave absolutely no margin for error.
At the same time, the numbers behind this buildout are staggering. Research from JLL projects that global data center construction investment will exceed $500 billion through the remainder of the decade, while power demand from AI-optimized data centers alone is expected to more than double by 2030.
Electrical contracting stocks exposed to data hall fit-outs represent one of the most direct and tangible ways to invest in the AI infrastructure buildout without paying the premium multiples demanded by the hyperscalers themselves. For investors who understand that every large language model ultimately runs on copper wire and circuit breakers installed by skilled hands, this may be one of the most underappreciated picks-and-shovels opportunities in the market today.
With this context in mind, here are some of the best electrical contracting stocks to buy for data hall fit-outs.
Our Methodology
We used stock screeners to identify electrical contracting stocks. We limited our final selection to companies that have recently reported noteworthy developments likely to impact investor sentiment. These stocks are also popular among analysts and elite hedge funds. To make the list easier to navigate, we ranked the stocks in descending order of their short percentage of shares outstanding as of May 15, 2026.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 498.7% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 303 percentage points (see more details here).
7 Best Electrical Contracting Stocks to Buy for Data Hall Fit-outs
7. nVent Electric plc (NYSE:NVT)
Short Percentage of Shares Outstanding: 2.53%
On May 4, Nicole DeBlase, analyst of Deutsche Bank, raised the firm’s price target on nVent Electric plc (NYSE:NVT) to $187 from $136 while maintaining a Buy rating on the shares. The same day, Alexander Virgo, analyst of Evercore ISI, raised the firm’s price target on nVent Electric to $190 from $160 and reiterated an Outperform rating, reflecting growing confidence in the company’s earnings and growth outlook.
Earlier on May 4, KeyBanc raised its price target on nVent Electric plc (NYSE:NVT) to $185 from $140 while maintaining an Overweight rating on the stock. Following the company’s first-quarter earnings report, the firm highlighted the strength of nVent’s earnings beat and guidance increase, noting that infrastructure-driven demand continues to exceed expectations. KeyBanc also expressed greater conviction in its long-term investment thesis, citing the company’s strong position in data center and utility markets, high revenue visibility, and ongoing investments that are expected to support future growth.
nVent Electric plc (NYSE:NVT), founded on May 1, 2018, and headquartered in London, is a prominent electrical equipment and solutions stock. It heavily supports data hall fit-outs by designing and manufacturing critical physical infrastructure, including liquid cooling systems, protective enclosures, power distribution units, and heavy-duty cable management solutions.
6. Atkore Inc. (NYSE:ATKR)
Short Percentage of Shares Outstanding: 2.52%
On May 6, RBC Capital raised its price target on Atkore Inc. (NYSE:ATKR) to $82 from $71 while maintaining a Sector Perform rating on the shares. The firm highlighted the company’s solid second-quarter operating performance, noting its first year-over-year positive pricing environment in 13 quarters, supported by copper and aluminum inflation pass-through and improving mid-single-digit volume growth. On the same day, Citigroup raised its price target on Atkore to $86 from $74 while reiterating a Neutral rating on the stock.
On May 5, Atkore Inc. (NYSE:ATKR) reported second-quarter revenue of $731.4 million, exceeding consensus estimates of $710.93 million. President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Waltz stated that the company delivered approximately 5% year-over-year organic volume growth alongside solid productivity improvements, while net sales, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EPS all increased sequentially from the prior quarter. Management also highlighted the completion of previously announced plant closures and the divestiture of its HDPE and Belgium-based surface protection businesses, emphasizing that these actions align with its strategy of strengthening its focus on the electrical infrastructure market and supporting long-term shareholder value creation.
Founded in 1959 and headquartered in Harvey, Illinois, Atkore Inc. (NYSE:ATKR) is an essential electrical infrastructure and safety stock deeply involved in data center fit-outs. They supply Electrical Cable Management and strut systems for overhead and underfloor raceways, while also offering off-site prefabrication and hot/cold aisle containment solutions.
While we acknowledge the potential of ATKR as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than ATKR and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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