Northern Data has revised its targets for the current year, reflecting technology investments and changes in market conditions. While the investments will clearly have longer-term benefits, the reality is a setback for current-year expectations and turns 2025 into another year of transition. The company should remain of interest to investors wanting exposure to the longer-term growth in high performance computing (HPC) infrastructure fuelled by AI services.

Northern Data has announced a new strategic partnership with Gcore, a leading provider of edge AI, cloud, network and security solutions. We see this as an important initiative, consistent with management’s long-term aim to establish the company as a leading provider of HPC data centres and AI services. We also note the recent publication of the full audited figures and Report and Accounts on 28 March, confirming all preliminary figures (released 21 January).

Northern Data Group has announced a satisfactory end to 2024. Revenues are expected at the lower end of the guided range, but growth in cloud and data centres remains impressive. Adjusted EBITDA is expected towards the upper end of guidance, while cash and equivalents are in line. Management has confirmed progress on the sale of Peak Mining, with a further update to come.