← Applied Digital overview

Applied Digital vs Fair Isaac: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

Applied Digital Corporation (APLD)

Q3 2026
▲3▼1

APLD's Q4 Revenue Soars 407%, Backlog Hits $36B on AI Demand

  • Fiscal Q4 Revenue Surges 407% to $258.7M Applied Digital's fiscal Q4 revenue jumped 407% to $258.7 million, beating expectations. This shows the AI data center business is growing rapidly and becoming more profitable, which excited investors and pushed the stock higher.

    This is a new financial result for the period, showing accelerating growth that directly boosts investor confidence.

  • Contracted Lease Backlog Reaches $36B Across 1.41 GW Applied Digital's signed lease backlog hit $36 billion across 1.41 gigawatts, with over 70% from investment-grade hyperscalers. This huge backlog gives visibility into future revenue and validates strong demand for its AI data centers.

    This is a new milestone for the period, highlighting the scale of future revenue and demand.

  • Management Expects $1B NOI Target Three Years Early Management now expects to hit its $1 billion net operating income target three years early, helped by a 1.2 GW turbine order, a $2.4 billion North Dakota build deal, and up to 1 GW of power in Finland. This signals faster growth and execution.

    This is a new forward-looking guidance update that shows accelerating progress and expansion.

  • Financing Risks and High Valuation Weigh on Sentiment Morgan Stanley flagged lower returns on invested capital and financing risks. APLD carries $1.59 billion in 7% notes and a 526x forward P/E, leaving little cushion. Peer impairments and customer concentration also weigh on sentiment.

    This is a new counterweight for the period, highlighting risks that could pressure the stock.

September 2026
▲3

APLD expands power and analyst coverage, but earnings loom

  • 1.2 GW steam turbine order and $2.4B build deal Applied Digital ordered 1.2 GW of steam turbines and signed a $2.4B design/build agreement for its North Dakota AI data center. This locks in power equipment despite industry-wide gas turbine delays, supporting future revenue and showing execution progress.

    This is a major new contract that directly advances APLD's core data center buildout and addresses power supply constraints.

  • Analyst fair value cut and split ratings Fair value trimmed to $68.35 as analysts split: Wells Fargo Overweight $50, B. Riley $75, Morgan Stanley $37.50, Rothschild Neutral $22. The debate centers on funding risk and how much AI growth is already priced in, creating uncertainty for the stock.

    This reflects changing market expectations and highlights the key bull-bear debate that influences APLD's valuation.

  • UBS initiates with Buy and $38 target UBS started coverage with a Buy rating and $38 price target, implying 35% upside. The analyst sees strong growth from AI data center demand and notes APLD's legacy crypto operations provide valuable grid access, boosting confidence in future earnings.

    A new bullish analyst rating adds a fresh positive voice and highlights APLD's competitive advantage in power access.

  • Secures up to 1 GW power in Finland Applied Digital signed an agreement for up to 1 GW of power capacity in Finland, its first AI Factory campus outside the US. Initial power is expected in 2028, expanding the long-term growth runway and diversifying beyond the US.

    This is a new international expansion that increases APLD's potential scale and addresses future demand.

Latest
▲3

APLD expands power and analyst coverage, but earnings loom

  • 1.2 GW steam turbine order and $2.4B build deal Applied Digital ordered 1.2 GW of steam turbines and signed a $2.4B design/build agreement for its North Dakota AI data center. This locks in power equipment despite industry-wide gas turbine delays, supporting future revenue and showing execution progress.

    This is a major new contract that directly advances APLD's core data center buildout and addresses power supply constraints.

  • Analyst fair value cut and split ratings Fair value trimmed to $68.35 as analysts split: Wells Fargo Overweight $50, B. Riley $75, Morgan Stanley $37.50, Rothschild Neutral $22. The debate centers on funding risk and how much AI growth is already priced in, creating uncertainty for the stock.

    This reflects changing market expectations and highlights the key bull-bear debate that influences APLD's valuation.

  • UBS initiates with Buy and $38 target UBS started coverage with a Buy rating and $38 price target, implying 35% upside. The analyst sees strong growth from AI data center demand and notes APLD's legacy crypto operations provide valuable grid access, boosting confidence in future earnings.

    A new bullish analyst rating adds a fresh positive voice and highlights APLD's competitive advantage in power access.

  • Secures up to 1 GW power in Finland Applied Digital signed an agreement for up to 1 GW of power capacity in Finland, its first AI Factory campus outside the US. Initial power is expected in 2028, expanding the long-term growth runway and diversifying beyond the US.

    This is a new international expansion that increases APLD's potential scale and addresses future demand.

August 2026
▲3▼1

AI demand and $36B backlog drive APLD, but financing and peer risk weigh

  • AI data center demand remains red-hot Applied Digital's $36 billion lease pipeline and 167% revenue growth show strong demand for AI data centers. Goldman Sachs estimates $7.6 trillion in AI infrastructure spending through 2031, a huge tailwind. This supports the stock because it means more future revenue and growth.

    Explains the core demand driver behind APLD's move and its long-term growth potential.

  • Earnings beat and accelerated profit target Q4 revenue surged 407% to $258.7 million, beating estimates, and management now expects to hit its $1 billion annual net operating income target three years early. This shows the AI buildout is translating into real profits, pushing the stock up.

    Highlights the fundamental earnings strength that directly boosts investor confidence and the stock price.

  • Sector momentum from Nvidia and peers Nvidia's blowout earnings and strong guidance, plus CoreWeave's accelerating backlog, lifted AI infrastructure stocks including Applied Digital. Nvidia remains supply constrained, making contracted power and hosting capacity more valuable. This sector-wide demand signal pushes APLD higher.

    Shows how broader AI compute demand and peer results directly lift APLD's stock.

  • Financing risks and peer impairment IREN's $638.8 million impairment on obsolete mining gear triggered a sector selloff, with APLD down 7%. APLD's high forward P/E of 526x and $1.59 billion in 7% senior secured notes leave little cushion. Financing large projects and customer concentration remain real risks.

    Provides the key counterweight: financing and peer risks that can pressure APLD's stock.

▲3▼1

AI demand and $36B backlog drive APLD, but financing and peer risk weigh

  • AI data center demand remains red-hot Applied Digital's $36 billion lease pipeline and 167% revenue growth show strong demand for AI data centers. Goldman Sachs estimates $7.6 trillion in AI infrastructure spending through 2031, a huge tailwind. This supports the stock because it means more future revenue and growth.

    Explains the core demand driver behind APLD's move and its long-term growth potential.

  • Earnings beat and accelerated profit target Q4 revenue surged 407% to $258.7 million, beating estimates, and management now expects to hit its $1 billion annual net operating income target three years early. This shows the AI buildout is translating into real profits, pushing the stock up.

    Highlights the fundamental earnings strength that directly boosts investor confidence and the stock price.

  • Sector momentum from Nvidia and peers Nvidia's blowout earnings and strong guidance, plus CoreWeave's accelerating backlog, lifted AI infrastructure stocks including Applied Digital. Nvidia remains supply constrained, making contracted power and hosting capacity more valuable. This sector-wide demand signal pushes APLD higher.

    Shows how broader AI compute demand and peer results directly lift APLD's stock.

  • Financing risks and peer impairment IREN's $638.8 million impairment on obsolete mining gear triggered a sector selloff, with APLD down 7%. APLD's high forward P/E of 526x and $1.59 billion in 7% senior secured notes leave little cushion. Financing large projects and customer concentration remain real risks.

    Provides the key counterweight: financing and peer risks that can pressure APLD's stock.

July 2026
▲3

Applied Digital's AI Data Center Backlog Hits $36B as Earnings Soar

  • Fiscal Q4 Revenue Surges 407%, Beats Estimates Applied Digital reported Q4 revenue of $258.7 million, up 407% year over year, crushing the $94.8 million estimate. Adjusted earnings per share came in at 4 cents versus an expected 22-cent loss. This shows the AI data center buildout is translating into real, accelerating revenue, pushing the stock up.

    This is the core new financial result that directly answers why APLD is moving now.

  • Contracted Lease Backlog Reaches $36 Billion Across 1.41 GW On its earnings call, Applied Digital said it has 1.41 gigawatts of contracted IT load across five campuses, supporting about $36 billion in base-term lease revenue. Over 70% is backed by investment-grade hyperscalers. This massive backlog gives long-term cash flow visibility, boosting investor confidence and the stock.

    This is a new, concrete metric that quantifies the company's future revenue and validates demand.

  • B. Riley Reiterates Buy, $66 Target After EBITDA Beat B. Riley kept its Buy rating and $66 price target after Applied Digital's Q4 adjusted EBITDA of $42.4 million beat its $24.6 million estimate. The analyst also noted improving construction times and lower financing costs. This analyst endorsement reinforces the bullish case and supports the stock price.

    This is a new analyst action that directly reflects the earnings beat and provides a price target.

  • Morgan Stanley Initiates Equal-weight, Citing Lower Returns and Financing Risks Morgan Stanley started coverage with an Equal-weight rating and $36.50 target, noting Applied Digital's lower returns on invested capital and financing risks compared to peers. While it acknowledges the sizable lease portfolio, this cautious view tempers upside and could weigh on the stock.

    This is a new counterweight that provides a balanced view of the risks and limits the bullish narrative.

▲3

Applied Digital's AI Data Center Backlog Hits $36B as Earnings Soar

  • Fiscal Q4 Revenue Surges 407%, Beats Estimates Applied Digital reported Q4 revenue of $258.7 million, up 407% year over year, crushing the $94.8 million estimate. Adjusted earnings per share came in at 4 cents versus an expected 22-cent loss. This shows the AI data center buildout is translating into real, accelerating revenue, pushing the stock up.

    This is the core new financial result that directly answers why APLD is moving now.

  • Contracted Lease Backlog Reaches $36 Billion Across 1.41 GW On its earnings call, Applied Digital said it has 1.41 gigawatts of contracted IT load across five campuses, supporting about $36 billion in base-term lease revenue. Over 70% is backed by investment-grade hyperscalers. This massive backlog gives long-term cash flow visibility, boosting investor confidence and the stock.

    This is a new, concrete metric that quantifies the company's future revenue and validates demand.

  • B. Riley Reiterates Buy, $66 Target After EBITDA Beat B. Riley kept its Buy rating and $66 price target after Applied Digital's Q4 adjusted EBITDA of $42.4 million beat its $24.6 million estimate. The analyst also noted improving construction times and lower financing costs. This analyst endorsement reinforces the bullish case and supports the stock price.

    This is a new analyst action that directly reflects the earnings beat and provides a price target.

  • Morgan Stanley Initiates Equal-weight, Citing Lower Returns and Financing Risks Morgan Stanley started coverage with an Equal-weight rating and $36.50 target, noting Applied Digital's lower returns on invested capital and financing risks compared to peers. While it acknowledges the sizable lease portfolio, this cautious view tempers upside and could weigh on the stock.

    This is a new counterweight that provides a balanced view of the risks and limits the bullish narrative.

Q2 2026
▲4

Applied Digital's AI Data Center Buildout Accelerates with New Leases and On-Time Delivery

  • New 210 MW Hyperscaler Lease Adds $5.2B Contracted Revenue Applied Digital signed a 15-year lease with a high-investment-grade hyperscaler for 210 MW, expected to generate $5.2 billion in base revenue. This boosts future cash flow and validates demand, pushing the stock up as investors see growing backlog.

    This is a new major contract that directly increases APLD's future revenue and is a key reason for the recent price target hike.

  • Polaris Forge 1 Delivers Second Building, Live Capacity Hits 175 MW Applied Digital brought 75 MW online on schedule at Polaris Forge 1, reaching 175 MW of live capacity. This shows execution strength and supports revenue growth, lifting investor confidence and the stock price.

    This operational milestone demonstrates the company's ability to deliver on its backlog, a key driver of the stock's momentum.

  • Fiscal Q3 Revenue Surges 139%, Adjusted EBITDA $44.1M Applied Digital reported Q3 revenue of $126.6 million, up 139% year over year, with adjusted EBITDA of $44.1 million. Strong financial performance signals accelerating demand and improving profitability, pushing the stock higher.

    This is a new earnings report that confirms the company's rapid growth and is a fundamental driver of the stock's recent rise.

  • Montana-Dakota Utilities Signs Power Agreement for Polaris Forge 3 Montana-Dakota Utilities agreed to supply power to Applied Digital's proposed 430 MW AI factory in North Dakota. This secures critical infrastructure for future growth, boosting investor confidence in the company's expansion plans.

    This is a new agreement that de-risks the power supply for a major future campus, supporting the growth narrative.

June 2026
▲4

Applied Digital's AI Data Center Buildout Accelerates with New Leases and On-Time Delivery

  • New 210 MW Hyperscaler Lease Adds $5.2B Contracted Revenue Applied Digital signed a 15-year lease with a high-investment-grade hyperscaler for 210 MW, expected to generate $5.2 billion in base revenue. This boosts future cash flow and validates demand, pushing the stock up as investors see growing backlog.

    This is a new major contract that directly increases APLD's future revenue and is a key reason for the recent price target hike.

  • Polaris Forge 1 Delivers Second Building, Live Capacity Hits 175 MW Applied Digital brought 75 MW online on schedule at Polaris Forge 1, reaching 175 MW of live capacity. This shows execution strength and supports revenue growth, lifting investor confidence and the stock price.

    This operational milestone demonstrates the company's ability to deliver on its backlog, a key driver of the stock's momentum.

  • Fiscal Q3 Revenue Surges 139%, Adjusted EBITDA $44.1M Applied Digital reported Q3 revenue of $126.6 million, up 139% year over year, with adjusted EBITDA of $44.1 million. Strong financial performance signals accelerating demand and improving profitability, pushing the stock higher.

    This is a new earnings report that confirms the company's rapid growth and is a fundamental driver of the stock's recent rise.

  • Montana-Dakota Utilities Signs Power Agreement for Polaris Forge 3 Montana-Dakota Utilities agreed to supply power to Applied Digital's proposed 430 MW AI factory in North Dakota. This secures critical infrastructure for future growth, boosting investor confidence in the company's expansion plans.

    This is a new agreement that de-risks the power supply for a major future campus, supporting the growth narrative.

▲4

Applied Digital's AI Data Center Buildout Accelerates with New Leases and On-Time Delivery

  • New 210 MW Hyperscaler Lease Adds $5.2B Contracted Revenue Applied Digital signed a 15-year lease with a high-investment-grade hyperscaler for 210 MW, expected to generate $5.2 billion in base revenue. This boosts future cash flow and validates demand, pushing the stock up as investors see growing backlog.

    This is a new major contract that directly increases APLD's future revenue and is a key reason for the recent price target hike.

  • Polaris Forge 1 Delivers Second Building, Live Capacity Hits 175 MW Applied Digital brought 75 MW online on schedule at Polaris Forge 1, reaching 175 MW of live capacity. This shows execution strength and supports revenue growth, lifting investor confidence and the stock price.

    This operational milestone demonstrates the company's ability to deliver on its backlog, a key driver of the stock's momentum.

  • Fiscal Q3 Revenue Surges 139%, Adjusted EBITDA $44.1M Applied Digital reported Q3 revenue of $126.6 million, up 139% year over year, with adjusted EBITDA of $44.1 million. Strong financial performance signals accelerating demand and improving profitability, pushing the stock higher.

    This is a new earnings report that confirms the company's rapid growth and is a fundamental driver of the stock's recent rise.

  • Montana-Dakota Utilities Signs Power Agreement for Polaris Forge 3 Montana-Dakota Utilities agreed to supply power to Applied Digital's proposed 430 MW AI factory in North Dakota. This secures critical infrastructure for future growth, boosting investor confidence in the company's expansion plans.

    This is a new agreement that de-risks the power supply for a major future campus, supporting the growth narrative.

Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO)

Q3 2026
▼2

FICO's mortgage monopoly ends as VantageScore wins approval

  • FHFA ends FICO's mortgage-scoring monopoly The FHFA approved VantageScore 4.0, breaking FICO's long-held monopoly on mortgage credit scores. Rocket Mortgage will default to VantageScore in Q4, a concrete loss of market share.

    This is the most significant new competitive threat, directly ending FICO's monopoly and causing tangible share loss.

  • Potential bi-merge requirement could cut FICO demand A proposed bi-merge requirement would let lenders use just two credit reports instead of three, potentially reducing demand for FICO scores. This regulatory change adds further pressure on FICO's core business.

    This new regulatory risk could structurally reduce FICO's revenue per mortgage.

  • Record revenue but miss and delayed licensing program Q3 revenue hit a record $674M, up 26%, with profit up 41% and raised guidance. However, revenue missed estimates and the Direct Licensing Program was delayed, pressuring shares.

    This captures the mixed financial performance: strong growth but missed expectations and a delayed key initiative.

  • FICO responds with free 10T and AI restructuring FICO launched its Direct License Program and offered free FICO Score 10T to FHA lenders to defend its turf. It also cut 15% of staff in an AI restructuring, signaling ongoing pressure.

    These are new strategic responses to competitive threats, showing both defense and cost-cutting.

September 2026
▼3

FICO's mortgage dominance erodes as rivals gain ground

  • FHFA ends FICO monopoly, approves VantageScore 4.0 The FHFA approved VantageScore 4.0 for Fannie and Freddie loans, ending FICO's monopoly. A unified pricing grid lets lenders bypass FICO entirely, threatening its pricing power and market share.

    This is a major regulatory change that directly undermines FICO's core mortgage business.

  • Rocket Mortgage to default to VantageScore in Q4 Rocket Mortgage, the largest U.S. lender, will default to VantageScore in Q4. This concrete share loss shows FICO's biggest customer is moving away, reducing future revenue.

    It provides tangible evidence of market share loss to a competitor.

  • Potential bi-merge requirement could cut FICO demand A potential bi-merge requirement—using only two credit bureaus—could further reduce demand for FICO-based tri-merge reports. This regulatory shift would lower FICO's revenue per mortgage.

    It highlights another regulatory threat that could reduce FICO's pricing and volume.

  • FICO launches Direct License Program and offers free 10T to FHA lenders FICO launched a Mortgage Direct License Program and offered its 10T score free to FHA lenders starting 2027 to boost adoption. However, it also cut 15% of its workforce in an AI-focused restructuring, signaling ongoing pressure.

    These are new strategic moves by FICO to counter threats, but the workforce cut shows challenges remain.

Latest
▼2

FICO's mortgage monopoly erodes as VantageScore gains and FICO cuts jobs

  • Rocket Mortgage becomes first major lender to default to VantageScore Rocket Mortgage, the largest U.S. mortgage lender, will default to VantageScore 4.0 for eligible loans starting in Q4. This is a concrete loss of FICO's dominant position, as a top lender shifts volume away, pressuring FICO's revenue and pricing.

    It shows real competitive adoption, not just regulatory threat, making the risk tangible for FICO's business.

  • FHFA may require only two credit bureaus, reducing FICO score demand Bloomberg reported the FHFA plans to require lenders to use only two of the three major credit bureaus for mortgages sold to Fannie and Freddie. This could cut demand for traditional tri-merge reports and further weaken FICO's position, as it may favor VantageScore.

    This is a new regulatory threat that could structurally reduce the number of FICO scores pulled per mortgage.

  • FICO offers free 10T score to FHA lenders and cuts 15% of workforce FICO will offer its newest 10T score free to FHA lenders from 2027, aiming to boost adoption and show its model is more predictive. Separately, FICO announced a 15% workforce cut in an AI-focused restructuring. The free offer may help retain share, but the job cuts signal pressure.

    These are FICO's own strategic responses to the competitive threat, showing both defense and cost-cutting.

▼3▲1

FHFA Opens Mortgage Scoring to VantageScore, Threatening FICO's Monopoly

  • FHFA ends FICO's mortgage scoring exclusivity The Federal Housing Finance Agency approved VantageScore 4.0 for all Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans, ending FICO's long-held monopoly in mortgage credit scoring. This introduces direct competition, threatening FICO's market share and pricing power. The stock fell sharply on the news.

    This is the core new event that directly threatens FICO's mortgage scoring business and triggered the stock decline.

  • Unified pricing grid lets VantageScore bypass FICO FHFA will consolidate Fannie and Freddie pricing into one grid that includes VantageScore, allowing lenders to use VantageScore for loan-level pricing and approval without FICO. This removes FICO's fee leverage and could accelerate share loss.

    This structural change intensifies competition and directly undermines FICO's ability to charge premium fees.

  • Potential bi-merge requirement adds pressure FHFA may require lenders to use only two credit bureaus instead of three for mortgages sold to Fannie and Freddie. This could reduce demand for traditional tri-merge reports and further weaken FICO's position, as it may favor VantageScore.

    This is a new regulatory threat that compounds the competitive pressure on FICO's mortgage scoring business.

  • FICO launches direct license program; regulator not targeting FICO FICO launched a Mortgage Direct License Program and FHFA Director Pulte signaled he is not purposefully targeting the company. This provided a slight reprieve, but the overall competitive and regulatory threats remain dominant.

    This is a new positive development that offers some counterbalance to the negative news, though it does not reverse the competitive threat.

July 2026
▲2▼2

FICO's mortgage moat deepens, but a delayed licensing plan and a rival score spook investors

  • FICO Score 10T embedded in Optimal Blue FICO's new mortgage score is now built into Optimal Blue, the platform used by most big U.S. mortgage lenders. That makes FICO harder to replace and should keep demand strong, supporting the stock price over time.

    This is a new event that strengthens FICO's competitive position and future revenue.

  • Record Q3 profit and raised guidance FICO reported record quarterly revenue of $674 million, up 26%, and profit jumped 41% per share. It raised its full-year outlook, citing a better mortgage market. Strong results and higher guidance push the stock up.

    This is the core new financial result that directly moves the stock.

  • Revenue miss and delayed Direct Licensing Program Despite record profit, revenue fell short of analyst estimates, and FICO delayed its Direct Licensing Program. That delay and the miss disappointed investors, sending shares down sharply. The market worries about future growth timing.

    This is the main new negative event that caused the stock to drop.

  • FHFA rule opens mortgage scoring to a lower-cost rival A new FHFA rule allows a cheaper competitor into mortgage scoring, threatening FICO's pricing power in its biggest market. This regulatory pressure is a real counterweight, keeping a lid on the stock even as profits grow.

    This is a new regulatory threat that could erode FICO's long-term cash flow.

▲2▼2

FICO's mortgage moat deepens, but a delayed licensing plan and a rival score spook investors

  • FICO Score 10T embedded in Optimal Blue FICO's new mortgage score is now built into Optimal Blue, the platform used by most big U.S. mortgage lenders. That makes FICO harder to replace and should keep demand strong, supporting the stock price over time.

    This is a new event that strengthens FICO's competitive position and future revenue.

  • Record Q3 profit and raised guidance FICO reported record quarterly revenue of $674 million, up 26%, and profit jumped 41% per share. It raised its full-year outlook, citing a better mortgage market. Strong results and higher guidance push the stock up.

    This is the core new financial result that directly moves the stock.

  • Revenue miss and delayed Direct Licensing Program Despite record profit, revenue fell short of analyst estimates, and FICO delayed its Direct Licensing Program. That delay and the miss disappointed investors, sending shares down sharply. The market worries about future growth timing.

    This is the main new negative event that caused the stock to drop.

  • FHFA rule opens mortgage scoring to a lower-cost rival A new FHFA rule allows a cheaper competitor into mortgage scoring, threatening FICO's pricing power in its biggest market. This regulatory pressure is a real counterweight, keeping a lid on the stock even as profits grow.

    This is a new regulatory threat that could erode FICO's long-term cash flow.