Stock Markets June 12, 2026 01:04 PM

Jefferies Sees Data Center Power and Optics Timelines Largely Intact as Nvidia Moves into 6G Hardware

Analyst firm characterizes delays in 800V HVDC and co-packaged optics as limited to timing; Infineon and Aixtron set to benefit as Nvidia develops GPUs for 6G radio units

By Hana Yamamoto
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Jefferies says recent reporting of slippage in hyperscaler adoption of 800V HVDC and lower near-term co-packaged optics shipments does not amount to a material change to the outlook for European semiconductor suppliers. The broker maintains bullish revenue expectations for Infineon's AI power business, anticipates Aixtron GaN orders by late 2026 or early 2027, and sees Nvidia's work on a 6G radio-unit GPU as neutral for major telecom equipment vendors.

Jefferies Sees Data Center Power and Optics Timelines Largely Intact as Nvidia Moves into 6G Hardware
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Key Points

  • Jefferies considers the reported push of hyperscaler 800V HVDC adoption to 2028 as not materially different from prior expectations, with small-volume shipments anticipated in late 2027 and larger momentum in 2028.
  • The firm maintains that Infineons AI power revenues should reach at least 1.5 billion this year and approach 3 billion in fiscal year 2027, driven by vertical power delivery adoption and gigawatt installations - impacting semiconductor and data center power supply markets.
  • Co-packaged optics volumes for scale-out applications have been revised down for 2026-2027, with scale-up shipments seen starting in 2029; Jefferies views CPO timing shifts as neutral or slightly positive for STMicroelectronics, while TSMC is expected to handle silicon photonics fabrication for CPO.

Jefferies told clients that reported pushes in adoption schedules for certain data center architectures - specifically 800V HVDC power distribution and near-term co-packaged optics (CPO) volume - do not meaningfully alter its revenue and timeline expectations for key European semiconductor suppliers.

Media coverage has suggested hyperscalers are now targeting 800V HVDC architectures in 2028. Jefferies said this does not represent a substantial delay from its perspective, noting that most semiconductor vendors already anticipated small-volume shipments beginning in late 2027, with broader momentum expected to develop through 2028.

The firm reiterated its forecast for Infineon, maintaining that AI-related power revenues should reach at least 1.5 billion this year and grow to roughly 3 billion by fiscal year 2027. Jefferies attributes this trajectory to two trends cited in its note: a move by GPU and ASIC customers from lateral to vertical power delivery on voltage regulator modules, and growth in gigawatt-scale installations.

On the equipment side, Jefferies said it expects Aixtron to begin receiving GaN-related orders for 800V HVDC by the end of 2026 or during the first half of 2027.

Separately, reports have revised down anticipated CPO shipments in scale-out applications for 2026-2027, while indicating that scale-up shipments are expected to begin in 2029. Jefferies said those adjustments leave its timeline for CPO introduction in scale-up systems unchanged.

Regarding market impacts, Jefferies views any delay in CPO adoption as neutral or slightly positive for STMicroelectronics. While STMicro provides silicon photonics and BiCMOS components for scale-out pluggable transceivers, Jefferies expects TSMC to take on silicon photonics fabrication for CPO in both scale-out and scale-up deployments.

Industry reporting also said that Nvidia is developing a GPU tailored to 6G radio units to support beamforming and other functions for future massive MIMO radios. Jefferies characterized that development as neutral for Nokia and Ericsson, noting Nvidia had already announced entry into 6G base station hardware through a partnership with Nokia in October 2025.

Finally, the reports noted that Nokia plans to reduce its RAN chip development efforts and concentrate on software that will run on Nvidia GPUs.


Contextual takeaways - The note frames the recent schedule shifts as modest timing changes rather than a reset of market trajectories for semiconductor suppliers exposed to AI data centers and next-generation optical interconnects.

Risks

  • Timing uncertainty for hyperscaler adoption of 800V HVDC could create near-term revenue variability for suppliers of HVDC-related components - affecting semiconductor equipment and power IC sectors.
  • Revisions to co-packaged optics volume in 2026-2027 introduce execution risk for vendors supplying components for scale-out transceivers, with implications for photonics and network hardware suppliers.
  • Shifts in base station hardware strategy - including Nvidias development of a 6G radio-unit GPU and Nokias decision to reduce RAN chip development - create uncertainty around future vendor roles and supplier relationships in telecom infrastructure.

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