Amazon NASDAQ:AMZN, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Meta NASDAQ:META and Google NASDAQ:GOOG are helping drive a rush of data-center stake sales as operators look to cash in on the AI infrastructure boom, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Developers including Netrality Data Centers, DataBank, Edged and EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure are reportedly working with bankers to sell majority equity stakes this summer. The proposed deals could collectively be worth tens of billions of dollars.
Data-center operators build and run the facilities that house servers, networking equipment and power systems used by cloud and AI companies. Their sites have become critical infrastructure as demand for computing capacity climbs.
Hyperscalers are expected to direct more than $700 billion toward AI data-center investment, creating huge demand but also requiring operators to raise large amounts of capital for land, electricity and construction.
Selling majority stakes gives owners liquidity while bringing in deeper-pocketed partners to fund expansion. It may also shift more control to private-equity firms and infrastructure investors.