Guess which ASX All Ords share is raising $1.1 billion to back generative AI

The ASX All Ords company announced a billion dollar capital raising. Here's why.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) is down 0.5% on Monday morning, but this ASX All Ords share isn't making any moves just yet.

Shares in the New Zealand based company infrastructure investment company entered a trading halt before the opening bell this morning at the company's request.

This came on the heels of a major AI related capital raise announcement earlier this morning.

Any guesses?

If you said Infratil Ltd (ASX: IFT), go to the head of the virtual class.

Here's what's happening.

A white and black robot in the form of a human being stands in front of a green graphic holding a laptop and discussing robotics and automation ASX shares

Image source: Getty Images

ASX All Ords share tips hat for $1.1 billion

Infratil said it intends to raise NZ$1.15 billion (approximately AU$1.1 billion) to fund data centre operator CDC's accelerating growth. The new funds will also be used to provide more flexibility for growth across the ASX All Ords shares' global portfolio.

The equity raising comprises an underwritten1 NZ$1.0 billion placement of new IFT shares and a NZ$150 million non-underwritten retail offer of new IFT shares.

New shares will be issued for NZ$10.15 apiece. That's 6.8% below Friday's closing price.

"CDC continues to see a surge in demand for data centre capacity," Infratil CEO Jason Boyes said. "Demand continues to accelerate on the back of cloud adoption and significant investments in generative AI."

He noted that CDC has been one of Infratil's top investments. The ASX All Ords share's stake in CDC is valued at NZ$4.42 billion. That's 10 times what the company first invested in 2016.

According to Boyes:

This rapid increase in demand has seen CDC enter advanced negotiations with customers for over 400MW of capacity at multiple sites across the CDC footprint with this capacity expected to come online over the next four to five years.

CDC expects at least 200MW of capacity to commence construction over the next 12 months. And Infratil said it expects to commit equity funding of around AU$600 million to the data centre developer over the next two years.

"CDC's growth has accelerated considerably recently, driven by rapid growth in AI-driven data demand," Boyes said.

CDC CEO Greg Boorer added:

We are seeing an unprecedented increase in the number of customer discussions, many of which are tied to AI-related workloads. CDC has been AI-ready for more than 15 years and is well positioned to capture strong share of AI-driven demand.

Infratil said there was no change to its FY 2025 guidance.

Infratril share price snapshot

If you look back at the chart up top, you'll notice a remarkably stable long-term uptrend in the Infratil share price.

Over the past 12 months, the ASX All Ords share has gained 14.3%.

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Share Market News

5 mini houses on a pile of coins.
Opinions

2 ASX shares I'd much rather buy than an investment property

Certain ASX shares can offer exposure to real estate with more income potential.

Read more »

A man holding a cup of coffee puts his thumb up and smiles with a laptop open.
Broker Notes

Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week

Brokers gave buy ratings to these ASX shares last week. Why are they bullish?

Read more »

A man in a business suit rides a graphic image of an arrow that is rebounding on a graph.
Broker Notes

Down 43% this week, are Cochlear shares now the best bargain buy of the year?

A leading analyst believes the historic selloff in Cochlear shares could present a unique buying opportunity.

Read more »

A businessman wears armour and holds a shield and sword.
Share Market News

Nervous investors turn to ASX 200 defensives as global energy shock drags on

ASX investors sought safety in defensive sectors last week.

Read more »

A smiling woman at a hardware shop selects paint colours from a wall display.
Broker Notes

Wesfarmers shares: Buy, hold or sell?

A leading analyst delivers his verdict on Wesfarmers shares.

Read more »

An arrow crashes through the ground as a businessman watches on.
Share Fallers

After falling 43% in a week, are Cochlear shares now a buy?

Is this drop a warning sign?

Read more »

Businessman working and using Digital Tablet new business project finance investment at coffee cafe.
Broker Notes

Buy, hold, sell: Cochlear, CSL, and DroneShield shares

Are these hugely popular shares in the buy zone or not? Let's find out.

Read more »

Man holding out $50 and $100 notes in his hands, symbolising ex dividend.
Share Market News

How much do I need to invest in ASX shares to earn a $500 monthly passive income?

A $500 per month passive income is more achievable than you'd think.

Read more »