What Is a Data Center?

By Catherine Brock – Updated Oct 9, 2025 at 3:19 AM

Key Points

Invest in hardware providers like Nvidia, benefiting from data center growth.
Consider utility companies like CMS Energy, profiting from data center power needs.
Explore data center REITs such as Iron Mountain for real estate investment options.

The investing community is abuzz about data centers, particularly as they relate to artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing. Get up to speed with this review of the role data centers play in the technology ecosystem and five ways you can invest in data center growth.

Loading paragraph...

A dimly lit data center. — Image source: Getty Images.

Loading paragraph...

Investing in Nuclear Energy Stocks in 2025

This article breaks down the nuclear energy industry, opportunities, risks, and what investors need to understand.

Best Small-Cap Tech Stocks

Small-cap tech stocks can come with risk, but also lots of potential. See which small-cap tech companies are poised for growth.

15 Useful Applications for Blockchain Technology

What is blockchain good for? Let us count the applications.

Investing in Communication Stocks

Communications has a broad definition. These companies are the leaders in the space.

Loading paragraph...

About the Author

Catherine grew up in Southern California wearing a lot of black and trying to perfect the art of sarcasm. Prior to joining The Fool as a contract writer, Catherine was climbing the corporate ladder in marketing roles and dabbling in too many side hustles. When she's not writing, she can be found riding a horse in the country or shopping online for clothes.

XMFCatherineJB

@catherinejbrock

Catherine Brock has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Alphabet, Amazon, Digital Realty Trust, Equinix, First Solar, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends Iron Mountain and recommends the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.