Positioning for the AI Infrastructure Boom: A 2026 Investment Case for Nvidia, Broadcom, and Vertiv

The AI infrastructure market is on the cusp of a transformative decade, with capital expenditures and revenue projections painting a picture of explosive growth. According to a report by ResearchNester, the global AI infrastructure market size was valued at USD 57.51 billion in 2025 and is projected to surge to USD 768.76 billion by 2035, driven by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 29.6%. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs Research highlights that AI hyperscaler capital expenditures (capex) are expected to reach $527 billion in 2026, up from $465 billion in 2025, as third-quarter earnings underscored robust momentum in AI investments. This trajectory positions AI infrastructure as a cornerstone of the 2026 investment landscape, with companies like Nvidia (NVDA), Broadcom (AVGO), and Vertiv (VRT) emerging as pivotal players.

Nvidia: The Uncontested Hardware Leader

Nvidia's dominance in AI infrastructure is underpinned by its leadership in GPU and TPU development, which remain indispensable for training large language models and other compute-intensive AI applications. A recent $20 billion licensing deal with Groq, as reported by the Chronicle Journal, further solidifies Nvidia's position in real-time AI applications. The company's Blackwell Ultra production is ramping up to meet surging global demand, while the upcoming Vera Rubin architecture-expected in mid-2026-promises to redefine AI hardware capabilities.

Analysts project that Nvidia's AI infrastructure revenue will continue to outpace the market, fueled by long-term contracts with hyperscalers and its strategic focus on accelerated computing. As stated by Nasdaq, the company's ability to innovate at scale ensures it remains the go-to provider for AI workloads, even as competition intensifies.

Broadcom: A Rising Star in AI Semiconductors

While Nvidia dominates the GPU space, Broadcom is carving out a niche in custom AI accelerators. Q4 2025 results revealed a 74% year-over-year increase in AI semiconductor revenue, driven by tailored solutions for hyperscalers. This strategic pivot positions Broadcom as a growing alternative to broad-purpose GPUs, particularly for clients seeking optimized performance for specific AI tasks.

Broadcom's approach aligns with broader industry trends: as AI models grow in complexity, the demand for specialized hardware is outpacing that of general-purpose chips. According to Fool.com, this shift could enable Broadcom to capture a larger share of the AI infrastructure market in 2026, even as it faces stiff competition from established players.

Vertiv: Cooling the AI Revolution

As AI workloads intensify, so does the need for advanced data center infrastructure. Vertiv, a leader in power and cooling solutions, is uniquely positioned to benefit from this demand. The company's high-density cooling systems are critical for managing the thermal challenges of AI-driven hyperscale data centers, a need that is exceeding expectations.

Goldman Sachs notes that AI infrastructure spending in 2026 will include significant investments in data center construction and related technologies, with Vertiv's expertise in modular, scalable solutions making it an essential partner for hyperscalers. The firm's ability to adapt to evolving cooling requirements-such as liquid cooling and AI-optimized airflow management-further strengthens its long-term growth prospects.

Strategic Sector Exposure and Risks

The AI infrastructure boom is not without risks. As highlighted by Cresset Capital, concerns persist about the ability of AI investments to generate sustainable returns, particularly in enterprise monetization and margin pressures from custom chip development. However, the sheer scale of capex-funded primarily by cash flows from large tech companies-suggests that the sector's growth is here to stay.

For investors, strategic exposure to AI infrastructure should prioritize companies with defensible market positions and scalable solutions. Nvidia's hardware dominance, Broadcom's semiconductor innovation, and Vertiv's critical role in data center infrastructure collectively offer a diversified yet cohesive bet on the AI-driven economy.

Conclusion

The 2026 AI infrastructure market is poised to deliver unprecedented returns for investors who align with its key drivers. With global spending projected to reach $400–450 billion and hyperscaler capex climbing past $500 billion, the sector's growth is both broad and deep. Nvidia, Broadcom, and Vertiv represent three distinct yet complementary pathways into this boom: hardware innovation, semiconductor specialization, and infrastructure enablement. While challenges remain, the confluence of demand, technological advancement, and capital flows makes these stocks compelling candidates for a 2026 investment portfolio.