Super Micro Computer jumped more than 12% in premarket trading on Wednesday after the AI server maker raised its quarterly revenue forecast by roughly $4 billion, signaling that demand for artificial intelligence data-center equipment remains robust. According to Reuters, the company now expects first-quarter revenue of $18.5 billion to $19.5 billion, well above the $14.5 billion to $15.5 billion it had previously forecast and comfortably ahead of the $15.23 billion analysts expected, based on LSEG data.
Super Micro also lifted its estimated gross margin to between 12% and 12.5%, up from its prior range of 10.4% to 10.8%, citing a favorable customer and product mix. The company attributed the stronger outlook primarily to surging demand for its AI platforms. Shares rose about 12.2% to $36.44 in premarket trading, and rival server makers Dell and Hewlett Packard Enterprise gained more than 4% each before the bell.
The upgrade comes at a moment of investor anxiety about the AI infrastructure boom. Reuters notes that markets have lately questioned whether data-center operators — which have been issuing debt to fund their buildout as borrowing costs rise — can justify the enormous capital spending. Microsoft, Google, Amazon and Meta are expected to spend more than $700 billion on AI infrastructure this year, and commentary from the AI giants on spending, margins and returns will be scrutinized in the coming days.
StockStory reported that the preliminary estimates are unaudited and that Super Micro will hold its fiscal first-quarter results call on November 3. Strategists at UBS Global Wealth Management said investors will be watching whether strong performance in core businesses can continue to support the elevated AI investment cycle. For now, Super Micro's guidance has revived appetite for AI-infrastructure shares after last week's selloff in heavily indebted data-center operators.