DRAM makers have arguably been the in the hottest corner of the semi trade so far this year, and while a wave of increased volatility has made the names tough to buy on weakness, there is a great debate surrounding whether or not DRAM is experiencing structural demand as AI compute demands continues going off the charts with new applications (many of which may be highly monetizable) coming online in the coming months and quarters, all while firms look to get their orders in way in advance.
Micron stock price has plunged and entered a local bear market after falling by over 22% from its all-time high. It slipped to $975 on Thursday, its lowest level since June 11, after a series of negative news.
Western Digital and Sandisk are rising as the artificial-intelligence trade regains momentum.
On Wednesday, June 24, Micron Technology reported what could only be described as a blowout fiscal Q3 '26, as revenue, operating income and EPS materially exceeded Street consensus. Capex is especially crucial to Micron as it is to all capital-intensive industries. The company guided fiscal Q4 '26 capex to $10 billion, versus the $7.8 billion in Q3 '26, which would put full-year capex close to $30 billion. Management guided to free cash flow in Q4 '26 to “increase substantially again”.
Micron stock has fallen 14% in the past five trading sessions.
Micron Technology (MU) is a STRONG BUY under $1000, driven by robust AI data center demand and a three company oligopoly memory market (along with Samsung and SK Hynix). MU's Q3FY26 saw revenue up 346% YoY, record 85% gross margin, and $18.3 billion adjusted free cash flow, with similar strength guided for Q4. Strategic multi-year customer agreements guarantee ~$100 billion in revenue (backed by ~$22 billion in customer deposits), enhancing financial visibility and justifying a higher valuation multiple.
Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) is set to pay its next quarterly dividend later this month, with eligible shareholders scheduled to receive $0.15 per share on July 21, 2026.
Micron Technology, Inc. delivered a record-breaking quarter with Q3 FY26 revenue of $41.5B, up 346% YoY, and non-GAAP gross margin surging to 84.9%. MU's growth is powered by AI data center demand and transformative long-term take-or-pay contracts, securing ~50% of revenue and reducing cyclicality. Management guides for $50B revenue next quarter and $30B in free cash flow for Q4 FY26, fully funding aggressive CapEx from operational cash generation.
The market has a habit of rewarding investors who recognize when an old pattern no longer applies.
Micron recently announced 16 multiyear deals with customers; contracts of that duration are unprecedented in the memory-chip industry. Several analysts raised forward earnings estimates, and the consensus says Micron's earnings will grow at 168% annually through fiscal 2027.
Micron is benefiting from insatiable demand for its DRAM, NAND, and high-bandwidth memory products. The company's earnings are expected to double over the next year.
MU still trades at a steep discount to the sector despite its 242.6% YTD rally, as AI memory demand, HBM strength and margins fuel growth.