Applied Digital Corporation vs Global X Defense Tech ETF — how do they compare? Applied Digital Corporation trades at $28.64 (market cap $8.90B), while Global X Defense Tech ETF trades at $60.38. The key difference: Applied Digital Corporation is trading nearer its 52-week high, Global X Defense Tech ETF nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| APLD | SHLD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $8.90B | — |
Sector | Technology | Sector/Thematic |
52-Week High | $49.65 | $78.02 |
52-Week Low | $9.18 | $58.20 |
Enterprise Value | $10.00B | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Applied Digital (APLD) trades at $31.15, down 3.53% today, amid bearish technical signals despite unanimous analyst buy ratings. The company shows strong revenue growth with $144M in 2025 and $319M projected for 2026, but remains unprofitable with negative margins. Recent news highlights APLD's pivot to AI data centers with $36B in contracted lease value, though execution risks and customer concentration persist.
Outlook: High growth potential from AI infrastructure expansion contrasts with profitability challenges and heavy capital spending. Risks include customer concentration and debt load, but analyst consensus targets $76.67 suggest significant upside if execution improves.
SHLD, the Global X Defense Tech ETF, trades at $61.19, down 0.44% on the day, with technical indicators showing a bearish trend. The ETF provides diversified exposure to global defense technology companies, benefiting from rising military spending worldwide. Recent news highlights focus on defense sector growth, with articles discussing the UK's $20 billion military overhaul and ongoing geopolitical tensions driving demand.
The outlook for SHLD is supported by structural increases in global defense budgets, but faces risks from political shifts and valuation concerns. Analyst sentiment is mixed, with some seeing a rebound opportunity from current levels, while technical weakness suggests near-term caution. The ETF's performance will hinge on sustained government spending and sector earnings growth.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Applied Digital provides high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure and cloud services. It designs and operates data centers tailored for AI, machine learning, and other intensive digital workloads across North America.
Read more on APLD →SHLD tracks the Global X Defense Tech Index, targeting companies that lead the technological transformation of the defense sector. It focuses on pure-play innovators in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced military systems, excluding traditional commercial aerospace to maintain a high level of thematic purity.
Read more on SHLD →