6 AI hardware stocks to own for the remainder of the year, according to an analyst

Evercore ISI analysts have identified a specific group of AI hardware names they believe are positioned for sustained strength through the remainder of the year. The focus areas are distinct from the semiconductor designers that typically dominate AI headlines. Instead, the firm is highlighting the less glamorous but critical infrastructure layer: storage makers, networking providers, and Apple. This suggests a rotation in focus from the chips that train AI models to the hardware that stores the data and moves it efficiently between servers, as well as the devices that ultimately deliver AI capabilities to end users.

The market relevance here lies in the "pick and shovel" nature of AI infrastructure. While the initial capital expenditure boom centered on GPU clusters, the build-out of data centers requires proportional investment in high-bandwidth networking and high-capacity storage to avoid bottlenecks. The inclusion of Apple is notable, as it points to the on-device AI narrative rather than purely cloud-based processing. Investors should watch for capital expenditure guidance from major cloud providers and product cycle updates from Apple. The key takeaway is that the AI trade is broadening beyond core processors into the physical systems required to support scaled deployment, which could offer a different risk-and-reward profile than the leading chipmakers.