Switch and Data, Internap Top 4Q Winners

Rounding out our year-end review of data centers in the financial markets, here's a look at the top performers for the fourth quarter of 2009. Colocation provider Switch and Data (SDXC) was the best-performing data center stock of the quarter, as it agreed to be acquired by rival Equinix (EQIX) for a significant premium.

The fourth quarter also brought some joy for the shareholders of Internap Network Services (INAP), as the turnaround strategy implemented by new president and CEO Eric Cooney appears to be winning favor with investors. The company's stock has taken its lumps in recent years amid struggles with its content delivery business. Internap cut costs and staff shortly after Cooney's arrival, and is in the process of repositioning its data center network to reduce its reliance on third-party colo providers.

Here's a look at the winners and loser in the data center industry in the fourth quarter of 2009.

DCStox-4Q-2009