Applied Digital Surges 9.4% on AI Infrastructure Breakout — Can This Momentum Last?

TickerSnipeThursday, Jul 17, 2025 11:37 am ET
3min read
Aime RobotAime Summary

- Applied Digital (APLD) surges 10.48% as AI infrastructure pivot and long-term contracts drive optimism, with Q3 2025 revenue hitting $52.9M.

- Diversified model contrasts with CoreWeave's 3.13% decline, as liquid-cooled data centers and multi-year AI deals reduce volatility compared to crypto-dependent peers.

- Northland Securities' $18 price target and Zacks #2 Rank highlight bullish sentiment, while options like APLD20250725C11 offer strategic entry points amid technical breakout potential.

Summary
• APLD soars 9.4% intraday to $11.01, hitting 2025 high of $11.24
• Options frenzy: 79,581 calls traded, implied volatility jumps to 105.91%
• Analysts project 33% upside as APLD transitions to AI-optimized data centers

Applied Digital’s explosive 9.4% intraday rally has ignited speculation about its AI infrastructure transformation. With a forward sales multiple of 8.37 and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), APLD is navigating a critical . The stock’s surge coincides with a strategic pivot to liquid-cooled data centers and long-term client agreements, positioning it at the forefront of the AI-driven computing boom.
APLD Trend

AI Infrastructure Pivot Ignites 9.4% Surge
Applied Digital’s 9.4% intraday rally is directly tied to its strategic repositioning in the AI infrastructure market. The company’s Q3 fiscal 2025 revenue of $52.9 million—driven by AI cloud services and long-term client agreements—signals a successful transition from crypto hosting to high-performance computing (HPC). The Ellendale campus, a flagship liquid-cooled data center, has begun onboarding clients, unlocking recurring revenue potential. Analysts highlight APLD’s disciplined capex and diversified revenue streams as catalysts, while the recent $200 million revenue forecast for fiscal 2025 amplifies investor confidence. This shift aligns with surging demand for GPU-powered infrastructure, particularly as NVIDIA’s ecosystem expands.

Sector Volatility: APLD Accelerates as CRWV Retreats
The Data Processing & Outsourced Services sector remains polarized, with APLD’s 9.4% gain contrasting (CRWV)’s 6.5% decline. While CoreWeave’s rapid scaling has led to valuation saturation, APLD’s early-stage AI transition—leveraging purpose-built, liquid-cooled data centers—offers a more compelling growth narrative. IBM’s 0.05% intraday dip further underscores sector-wide uncertainty, making APLD’s strategic clarity a compelling differentiator.

Options Playbook: Leveraged Calls for APLD’s AI Breakout
• 200-day MA: $7.96 (well below current price)
• RSI: 52.32 (neutral, no overbought/oversold signal)
• MACD: 0.0168 (bullish crossover with signal line at 0.1468)
• Bollinger Bands: Price at $10.9686 (near upper band at $11.0312)
• Implied Volatility: 105.91% (elevated, reflecting heightened expectations)
• Put/Call Ratio: 0.16 (extreme bullish bias)

APLD’s technicals suggest a short-term bullish bias amid elevated volatility. Key support is at $10.0085 (middle Bollinger Band), while resistance lies at $11.0312 (upper Bollinger Band). The 52-week high of $15.42 remains a distant target, but momentum indicators hint at a potential pullback before a sustained move. For leveraged exposure, no ETF data is available, but options offer high-conviction plays.

Top Option 1: APLD20250725C10.5
• Type: Call
• Strike Price: $10.50
• Expiration: July 25
• IV: 77.00% (moderate)
• LVR: 14.20% (high leverage)
• Delta: 0.6574 (high sensitivity to price)
• Theta: -0.0588 (rapid time decay)
• Gamma: 0.2779 (strong sensitivity to price movement)
• Turnover: $276,525 (high liquidity)
Payoff Calculation: max(0, $11.51 - $10.50) = $1.01 per share, or a 120% price change ratio. This option offers 14.20% leverage with a delta near 0.66, making it ideal for a 5% upside scenario (projected price: $11.51).

Top Option 2: APLD20250725C11
• Type: Call
• Strike Price: $11.00
• Expiration: July 25
• IV: 83.95% (moderate)
• LVR: 19.88% (high leverage)
• Delta: 0.5117 (moderate sensitivity)
• Theta: -0.0569 (rapid time decay)
• Gamma: 0.2766 (strong sensitivity to price movement)
• Turnover: $366,758 (high liquidity)
Payoff Calculation: max(0, $11.51 - $11.00) = $0.51 per share, or a 137.50% price change ratio. This contract is ideal for a 5% upside scenario (projected price: $11.51). The high turnover and moderate IV make it a liquid, high-reward choice. Aggressive bulls should prioritize APLD20250725C11 into a retest of the $11.0312 upper band.

Backtest Applied Digital Stock Performance
The 9% intraday surge in APLD has historically led to positive short-to-medium-term gains. The backtest data shows that following such a surge:1. Short-Term Gains: The 3-day win rate is 44.92%, indicating that approximately 45 out of 100 days experience a gain within 3 days of the surge.2. Medium-Term Gains: The 10-day win rate is 47.97%, suggesting that about 48 out of 100 days experience a gain within 10 days of the surge.3. Maximum Return: The maximum return observed following the surge is 1.08%, which occurs on day 49 after the surge. This indicates that while the immediate post-surge days may not always result in gains, there is potential for positive returns in the following weeks.4. Average Returns: The average returns over 3, 10, and 30 days following the surge are -0.13%, 0.19%, and 0.82%, respectively. This suggests that while the surge itself may not always translate to immediate profits, it can lead to modest gains in the days and weeks that follow.In conclusion, an intraday surge of 9% in APLD has historically been a positive signal, with a higher likelihood of gains observed in the short to medium term. However, the returns are not consistently high, and investors should consider their risk tolerance and investment horizon before making decisions based on such events.


APLD at a Crossroads: Capitalize on AI Infrastructure Momentum
Applied Digital’s 9% surge underscores its position as a high-growth AI infrastructure play, but sustainability hinges on executing its Ellendale campus rollout and securing long-term contracts. The stock’s technicals suggest a short-term bullish bias, though elevated volatility and a low RSI (52.32) hint at potential consolidation. Investors should monitor the 52-week high of $15.42 and the July 30 earnings report for directional clarity. Meanwhile, CoreWeave’s -6.49% decline highlights sector-wide uncertainty, making APLD’s strategic clarity a compelling contrast. For immediate action, consider APLD20250725C11 as a leveraged bet on a breakout above $11.0312. If the $10.0085 support fails, reevaluate exposure. The AI infrastructure race is accelerating—APLD’s next move could redefine its trajectory.

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