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APLD vs RIOT
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) vs. Riot Platforms, Inc. (RIOT) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- APLD has surged over 600% in the past year, driven by AI data center contracts like a $7.5B hyperscaler lease, outperforming RIOT's 150%+ gain.
- Both stocks show strong YTD performance around 60%, with recent momentum from Q3/Q1 earnings beats and AI pivots, but APLD exhibits higher volatility (beta ~7).
- RIOT reported $167M Q1 revenue with emerging data center income ($33M), while APLD posted 139% YoY growth to $127M in Q3.
- Analysts favor both with Moderate/Strong Buy ratings; APLD targets ~$44 (30% upside), RIOT ~$24 (20% upside from recent levels).
- AI infrastructure exposure positions both for growth, but RIOT's Bitcoin mining provides revenue stability amid crypto volatility.
- Recent weeks saw APLD consolidate post-earnings before rallying on cloud spin-off; RIOT spiked on AMD deal expansion.
Introduction
Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) and Riot Platforms, Inc. (RIOT) represent key players in the digital infrastructure space, transitioning from cryptocurrency mining roots to high-performance computing (HPC) and AI data centers. This stock comparison analyzes their recent performance, business shifts, and market positioning amid surging AI demand. Traders seeking exposure to AI infrastructure growth and investors eyeing relative performance in volatile sectors will find value in understanding contrasts in momentum, catalysts, and risk profiles. Both have delivered outsized returns in recent market activity, but differing strategies influence their trajectories.
APLD Overview and Recent Performance
Applied Digital Corporation (APLD) designs, builds, and operates digital infrastructure for HPC and AI workloads in North America, focusing on energy-efficient data centers with liquid cooling for GPU-intensive tasks. In recent weeks, the stock has shown robust momentum, climbing toward $40 amid AI hype, with YTD gains exceeding 60% and a one-year return over 600%. Key drivers include fiscal Q3 2026 results with $126.6M revenue (139% YoY growth) and adjusted EBITDA of $44.1M, beating estimates. A standout April development was a $7.5B lease with a U.S. hyperscaler at its 430 MW Delta Forge 1 AI campus, boosting the revenue backlog beyond $23B. Additional catalysts like a cloud business spin-off into ChronoScale and $300M bridge financing enhanced sentiment, though expansion costs led to net losses. Volatility persists due to sector rotations, but strong analyst support (Strong Buy consensus) reflects optimism on AI compute shortages fueling demand.
RIOT Overview and Recent Performance
Riot Platforms, Inc. (RIOT) is a vertically integrated digital infrastructure firm, primarily Bitcoin mining but expanding into AI/HPC data centers via large-scale power assets. Recent market activity has propelled shares higher, with YTD returns around 60% and over 150% annually, trading near $20 amid crypto rallies. Q1 2026 revenue hit $167.2M (above $130M consensus), including $33.2M from data centers, driven by an AMD option exercise for 25 MW more capacity. This doubled certain HPC contracts, signaling pivot progress, while Bitcoin mining provided core stability. Shares surged post-earnings on revenue beats, though widened losses highlighted capex intensity. Expansions like Corsicana to 756 MW bolster long-term positioning. Sentiment benefits from Moderate Buy ratings and Bitcoin exposure, tempered by crypto price sensitivity and higher short interest (~15%).
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both APLD and RIOT leverage data center expertise for AI/HPC, but diverge in models: APLD emphasizes purpose-built AI campuses with hyperscaler leases ($23B+ backlog), while RIOT balances Bitcoin mining (core revenue) with emerging HPC like AMD deals. Growth drivers favor APLD's 139% revenue surge vs. RIOT's 4% (still beat estimates); recent momentum shows APLD up 60% monthly vs. RIOT's 60%+. Risks include APLD's losses and dilution from financing versus RIOT's crypto volatility (beta ~3.5). Sector exposure is similar (AI infrastructure), but RIOT offers mining diversification; sentiment tilts to APLD for pure AI plays amid positive analyst revisions.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors APLD for its superior trend consistency in recent weeks, explosive revenue growth from AI catalysts like the $7.5B lease, and stronger positioning in hyperscaler demand versus RIOT's mixed mining/HPC reliance. Observable factors include APLD's higher YTD/1Y returns, inclusion in trending AI bots for industrials/data centers, and bullish technicals (MACD positive, above 50-day MA). While RIOT shows stability via Bitcoin holdings, APLD edges out probabilistically (~60-70% confidence) on AI tailwinds and backlog visibility.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full Disclaimers and Limitations.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is APLD is a Hold and RIOT is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
APLD’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whileRIOT’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- APLD’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- RIOT’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
APLD’s TA Score shows that 2 TA indicator(s) are bullish while RIOT’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- APLD’s TA Score: 2 bullish, 6 bearish.
- RIOT’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
Price Growth
APLD (@Information Technology Services) experienced а -16.20% price change this week, while RIOT (@Investment Banks/Brokers) price change was -9.06% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Information Technology Services industry was -13.41%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -5.16%, and the average quarterly price growth was +6.80%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Investment Banks/Brokers industry was -7.52%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -4.31%, and the average quarterly price growth was -16.32%.
Reported Earning Dates
APLD is expected to report earnings on Aug 20, 2026.
RIOT is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Information Technology Services (-13.41% weekly)The industry, whose total market cap runs into trillions, makes hardware/software that allows data to be stored, retrieved, transmitted, and manipulated on computers. With the ever-increasing relevance of data, the information technology (IT) industry has gained momentous growth over the years, and continues to thrive on innovation. Some of the behemoths in the industry are International Business Machines Corporation, Accenture, and VMware, Inc.
@Investment Banks/Brokers (-7.52% weekly)These banks specialize in underwriting (helping companies with debt financing or equity issuances), IPOs, facilitating mergers and other corporate reorganizations and acting as a broker or financial advisor for institutions. They might also trade securities on their own accounts. Investment banks potentially thrive on expanding its network of clients, since that could help them increase profits. Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and CME Group Inc are some of the largest investment banking companies.
| APLD | RIOT | APLD / RIOT | |
| Capitalization | 11.7B | 9.72B | 120% |
| EBITDA | -19.84M | -476.51M | 4% |
| Gain YTD | 66.986 | 102.762 | 65% |
| P/E Ratio | N/A | 27.24 | - |
| Revenue | 319M | 653M | 49% |
| Total Cash | 1.73B | 206M | 840% |
| Total Debt | 2.83B | 877M | 322% |
APLD | RIOT | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 52 Fair valued | 91 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 44 | 100 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 97 | 98 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 37 | 36 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 100 | 39 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 24 | 6 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
APLD's Valuation (52) in the null industry is somewhat better than the same rating for RIOT (91) in the Financial Conglomerates industry. This means that APLD’s stock grew somewhat faster than RIOT’s over the last 12 months.
APLD's Profit vs Risk Rating (44) in the null industry is somewhat better than the same rating for RIOT (100) in the Financial Conglomerates industry. This means that APLD’s stock grew somewhat faster than RIOT’s over the last 12 months.
APLD's SMR Rating (97) in the null industry is in the same range as RIOT (98) in the Financial Conglomerates industry. This means that APLD’s stock grew similarly to RIOT’s over the last 12 months.
RIOT's Price Growth Rating (36) in the Financial Conglomerates industry is in the same range as APLD (37) in the null industry. This means that RIOT’s stock grew similarly to APLD’s over the last 12 months.
RIOT's P/E Growth Rating (39) in the Financial Conglomerates industry is somewhat better than the same rating for APLD (100) in the null industry. This means that RIOT’s stock grew somewhat faster than APLD’s over the last 12 months.
| APLD | RIOT | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 89% | 4 days ago 90% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 85% | 4 days ago 82% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 90% | 4 days ago 90% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 90% | 4 days ago 89% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 88% | 4 days ago 87% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 86% | 4 days ago 88% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 12 days ago 90% | 12 days ago 90% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 88% | 4 days ago 87% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 90% | 4 days ago 90% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 88% | 4 days ago 90% |
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APLD and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, APLD has been loosely correlated with CIFR. These tickers have moved in lockstep 61% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if APLD jumps, then CIFR could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To APLD | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APLD | 100% | +3.34% | ||
| CIFR - APLD | 61% Loosely correlated | +8.20% | ||
| KEEL - APLD | 52% Loosely correlated | +10.14% | ||
| HIVE - APLD | 46% Loosely correlated | +5.70% | ||
| BBAI - APLD | 45% Loosely correlated | +2.62% | ||
| RIOT - APLD | 44% Loosely correlated | +4.18% | ||
More | ||||
RIOT and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, RIOT has been closely correlated with MSTR. These tickers have moved in lockstep 79% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if RIOT jumps, then MSTR could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To RIOT | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RIOT | 100% | +4.18% | ||
| MSTR - RIOT | 79% Closely correlated | +5.61% | ||
| CLSK - RIOT | 78% Closely correlated | +5.97% | ||
| COIN - RIOT | 77% Closely correlated | +6.37% | ||
| CIFR - RIOT | 77% Closely correlated | +8.20% | ||
| HUT - RIOT | 75% Closely correlated | +6.56% | ||
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