Computacenter Shares Hit Record High on Strong AI-Driven Profit Outlook

Computacenter shares reached an all-time high after the technology and services provider announced an expected doubling of its half-year profits compared to the previous year. The company projects adjusted profit before tax for the six months ending June 30 to be approximately double last year's figure of £81.5 million.

Trading in the second quarter surpassed the company's expectations, following a strong first quarter. Computacenter's stock rose over 11% to 4,606 pence, continuing a trend that has seen its value increase by approximately 100% over the past year. The firm recently joined the FTSE 100 index, a move analysts attribute to its strategic positioning in supplying the infrastructure for data centers essential to artificial intelligence technologies, such as those powering AI chatbots.

Computacenter's market capitalization has surged as investors seek greater exposure to the AI sector. In April, the company indicated it was on track to exceed annual profit forecasts, citing customers accelerating hardware orders due to supply chain constraints affecting data centers and AI-related components. The firm's UK operations have demonstrated robust growth, particularly from AI-focused projects and expansion in professional services. Furthermore, demand from "hyperscale customers" in North America exceeded expectations, bolstering both the technology sourcing and professional services divisions.

These major technology companies, often referred to as AI hyperscalers, are actively competing to develop advanced tools and expand their market share. Computacenter reported that its committed product order backlog at the end of June was significantly higher than the £7.1 billion recorded at the end of the previous year, reflecting strong order intake during the first half of 2026.

The company anticipates its full-year results will comfortably exceed market expectations, although it foresees more challenging comparative trading conditions in the latter half of the year. Current analyst consensus estimates adjusted profit before tax for the full year at £313.7 million, with individual forecasts ranging from £305 million to £324.3 million.

Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, commented that the company's profit upgrade was largely driven by its engagement with hyperscalers in North America. He noted that volume growth and demand related to AI requirements have benefited Computacenter's Technology Sourcing and Professional Services units. Hunter added that the recent 11% increase in share price brings the year-to-date gain to 57% and the 12-month gain to 100%, which prompted its inclusion in the FTSE 100 index in June.