3 AI-Related Stocks Worth a Closer Look After Pullbacks

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AI Infrastructure Stocks: Worth a Second Look Post-Pullback

Three AI infrastructure plays have dropped from recent highs but still show strong growth prospects.

The hype around AI is well deserved, but not all AI trades are created equal. Vertiv (VRT), Applied Optoelectronics (AAOI), and Innodata (INOD) have all pulled back sharply from their 2026 peaks. Yet, their fundamentals remain solid — with each riding a different vital piece of AI infrastructure: power and cooling systems, optical networks, and data services respectively. For South African investors, these aren’t direct plays, but the USD/ZAR exchange rate will be a critical factor in returns. A weaker rand would bolster any gains from these USD-listed names. Domestically, data-heavy sectors could benefit indirectly, but there are no clear JSE counters with pure AI infrastructure exposure. Proceed with caution, though; these stocks trade on aggressive growth assumptions. If AI enthusiasm stalls or a global tech downturn deepens, these companies may extend their corrections. Still, the recent pullbacks invite careful entry on dips — but keep an eye on rand strength and global tech sentiment. this is just our opinion and not financial advice