4 Memory Stocks to Watch as Demand Continues to Rise
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 24 2026
0mins
Source: Barron's
AI Concerns: There are ongoing concerns regarding artificial intelligence and its implications.
Chips Resilience: Despite these concerns, the semiconductor industry, particularly chips, is not experiencing significant challenges.
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Analyst Views on AXTI
Wall Street analysts forecast AXTI stock price to fall
4 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 88.340
Low
18.00
Averages
21.33
High
26.00
Current: 88.340
Low
18.00
Averages
21.33
High
26.00
About AXTI
AXT, Inc. is a material science company that develops and manufactures high-performance compound and single element semiconductor wafer substrates comprising indium phosphide (InP), gallium arsenide (GaAs) and germanium (Ge). Its wafer substrates are used when a typical silicon wafer substrate cannot meet the performance requirements of a semiconductor or optoelectronic device. It has two product lines: specialty material substrates and raw materials integral to these substrates. Its InP is a semiconductor wafer substrate used in broadband and fiber optic applications, 5G infrastructure and data center connectivity. Its semi-conducting GaAs substrates are used to create opto-electronic products, including high brightness light emitting diodes that are often used to backlight wireless handsets and LCD televisions and for automotive, signage, and lighting applications. Its Ge substrates are used in applications, such as solar cells for space and terrestrial photovoltaic applications.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
AXT Inc. Stock Surges 10% for Third Day Ahead of Key Updates
- Stock Surge: AXT Inc. shares surged 10% on Friday, closing at $97.18 for the third consecutive day, indicating strong investor positioning ahead of key updates and reflecting optimistic market sentiment regarding the company's future performance.
- Financial Improvement: In Q1, AXT Inc. narrowed its net loss by 81% to $1.6 million from $8.8 million year-over-year, while revenues increased by 39% to $26.9 million, showcasing the company's strengthening competitiveness and profitability in the market.
- Optimistic Outlook: During its recent earnings call, AXT Inc. expressed confidence in being well-positioned to support the industry in meeting current and future needs, which may attract more investor interest and bolster its market position.
- Insider Share Sale: Director Jesse Chen disposed of 16,500 shares between June 8 and 10 at prices ranging from $86.7 to $94, totaling approximately $1.48 million; while this insider selling may raise market concerns, it has not dampened the stock's strong performance.
See More
AXT Shares Surge 10% Amid Indium Phosphide Supply Concerns
- Positive Market Reaction: AXT shares surged 10% during early trading on Friday, driven by investor concerns over potential constraints in indium phosphide (InP) supply, reflecting optimism about the company's future growth potential.
- Supply Chain Advantage: AXT benefits from a vertically integrated supply chain, partially owning raw material companies in China, which ensures a stable supply of critical materials, thereby reducing production costs and enhancing market competitiveness.
- Analysts Optimistic: Wedbush analysts rate AXT as Outperform with a price target of $93, suggesting that any increase in InP prices, which are not currently factored into consensus estimates, could provide significant upside for the company.
- Future Expansion Plans: AXT plans to double its indium phosphide capacity again by 2027, demonstrating confidence in market demand, while guiding Q2 GAAP EPS to be between $0.05 and $0.07, further solidifying its growth outlook.
See More
China's Export Restrictions on Indium Phosphide Raise Global Concerns
- Indium Phosphide Shortage Warning: Coherent CEO Jim Anderson highlighted delays in export licenses for indium phosphide during his trip to China with President Trump, indicating the material's critical role in AI data center manufacturing, which could disrupt global AI infrastructure development.
- Price Surge: Since China implemented export restrictions on indium phosphide in 2025, the average price for a 6-inch indium phosphide wafer has surged by 250% to $5,000, putting dual pressure on U.S. photonics chipmakers facing rising costs and supply chain disruptions.
- Increased Market Competition: China's export restrictions on indium phosphide have created opportunities for domestic manufacturers like Yunnan Germanium and Guangdong Xiandao, which are rapidly scaling production capacity to meet domestic market demand, likely having profound effects on the global supply chain.
- Technological Investment and Expansion: Coherent announced plans to double its indium phosphide wafer capacity at its Texas plant this year and aims to double it again by the end of 2027, demonstrating a proactive strategy to address supply chain challenges and meet market demand.
See More
AXTI Stock Investment Outlook Analysis
- Significant Revenue Growth: AXT, Inc. achieved $26.9 million in revenue for Q1 2026, marking a 39% year-over-year increase and a 17% sequential rise, primarily driven by surging demand for indium phosphide substrates used in high-speed optical transceivers, showcasing the company's strong performance in optical connectivity infrastructure.
- Margin Improvement: Indium phosphide revenue reached $13.6 million, with non-GAAP gross margin dramatically improving to 29.9% from negative levels a year earlier, indicating the company's strong operating leverage as it scales its business.
- Record Backlog: Management reported that indium phosphide backlog exceeded $100 million for the first time, with expectations for Q2 to set a new record for revenue, reflecting AXT's unique position within a rapidly expanding supply chain where demand outpaces capacity.
- Aggressive Capacity Expansion: AXT recently raised $632.5 million to aggressively expand production capacity, targeting a doubling of output by the end of 2026 and another doubling by the end of 2027, demonstrating strong confidence in future market demand.
See More
AXT CEO Sells Nearly 200,000 Shares
- Executive Sell-off: AXT's CEO Morris S Young sold 197,498 shares on June 1, 2026, which may raise concerns about the company's future performance, as executive sell-offs are often perceived as negative signals regarding company outlook.
- Market Reaction: Such sell-off actions could lead to a decline in investor confidence in AXT's stock, potentially impacting its price performance, especially in the current market environment where trust in executives is crucial for investor sentiment.
- Shareholding Structure Change: With the CEO's sell-off, AXT's shareholder structure may change, potentially affecting corporate governance and decision-making processes, particularly as a lower executive shareholding could increase the influence of external investors during key decisions.
- Future Outlook: Although the sell-off may trigger short-term market volatility, if the company can demonstrate strong performance growth and strategic execution in the future, it may still restore investor confidence and drive stock price recovery.
See More
AXT Inc. Stock Rallies 7.65% Amid Optimism
- Stock Recovery: AXT Inc. saw a 7.65% increase in stock price on Friday, closing at $123.78 per share as investors engaged in bargain-hunting after three consecutive days of losses, reflecting ongoing market optimism for the stock.
- Rescheduled Shareholder Meeting: The company announced the rescheduling of its 2026 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting to June 4, 2026, at 11 AM Pacific Time due to a lack of quorum, which may impact investor confidence in corporate governance.
- Improved Financial Performance: In the first quarter, AXT Inc. reduced its attributable net loss by 81% to $1.62 million, with an 84% decrease in operating loss to $1.585 million, while revenues surged by 39% to $26.9 million year-on-year, indicating significant financial improvement amid challenges.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: AXT Inc. expressed a highly optimistic outlook, anticipating strong demand from the booming artificial intelligence industry, with CEO Morris Young emphasizing the company's readiness to meet current and future customer and supply chain needs, showcasing strategic foresight.
See More
AXT Inc. Stock Surges 10% for Third Day Ahead of Key Updates
- Stock Surge: AXT Inc. shares surged 10% on Friday, closing at $97.18 for the third consecutive day, indicating strong investor positioning ahead of key updates and reflecting optimistic market sentiment regarding the company's future performance.
- Financial Improvement: In Q1, AXT Inc. narrowed its net loss by 81% to $1.6 million from $8.8 million year-over-year, while revenues increased by 39% to $26.9 million, showcasing the company's strengthening competitiveness and profitability in the market.
- Optimistic Outlook: During its recent earnings call, AXT Inc. expressed confidence in being well-positioned to support the industry in meeting current and future needs, which may attract more investor interest and bolster its market position.
- Insider Share Sale: Director Jesse Chen disposed of 16,500 shares between June 8 and 10 at prices ranging from $86.7 to $94, totaling approximately $1.48 million; while this insider selling may raise market concerns, it has not dampened the stock's strong performance.
See More
AXT Shares Surge 10% Amid Indium Phosphide Supply Concerns
- Positive Market Reaction: AXT shares surged 10% during early trading on Friday, driven by investor concerns over potential constraints in indium phosphide (InP) supply, reflecting optimism about the company's future growth potential.
- Supply Chain Advantage: AXT benefits from a vertically integrated supply chain, partially owning raw material companies in China, which ensures a stable supply of critical materials, thereby reducing production costs and enhancing market competitiveness.
- Analysts Optimistic: Wedbush analysts rate AXT as Outperform with a price target of $93, suggesting that any increase in InP prices, which are not currently factored into consensus estimates, could provide significant upside for the company.
- Future Expansion Plans: AXT plans to double its indium phosphide capacity again by 2027, demonstrating confidence in market demand, while guiding Q2 GAAP EPS to be between $0.05 and $0.07, further solidifying its growth outlook.
See More
China's Export Restrictions on Indium Phosphide Raise Global Concerns
- Indium Phosphide Shortage Warning: Coherent CEO Jim Anderson highlighted delays in export licenses for indium phosphide during his trip to China with President Trump, indicating the material's critical role in AI data center manufacturing, which could disrupt global AI infrastructure development.
- Price Surge: Since China implemented export restrictions on indium phosphide in 2025, the average price for a 6-inch indium phosphide wafer has surged by 250% to $5,000, putting dual pressure on U.S. photonics chipmakers facing rising costs and supply chain disruptions.
- Increased Market Competition: China's export restrictions on indium phosphide have created opportunities for domestic manufacturers like Yunnan Germanium and Guangdong Xiandao, which are rapidly scaling production capacity to meet domestic market demand, likely having profound effects on the global supply chain.
- Technological Investment and Expansion: Coherent announced plans to double its indium phosphide wafer capacity at its Texas plant this year and aims to double it again by the end of 2027, demonstrating a proactive strategy to address supply chain challenges and meet market demand.
See More
AXTI Stock Investment Outlook Analysis
- Significant Revenue Growth: AXT, Inc. achieved $26.9 million in revenue for Q1 2026, marking a 39% year-over-year increase and a 17% sequential rise, primarily driven by surging demand for indium phosphide substrates used in high-speed optical transceivers, showcasing the company's strong performance in optical connectivity infrastructure.
- Margin Improvement: Indium phosphide revenue reached $13.6 million, with non-GAAP gross margin dramatically improving to 29.9% from negative levels a year earlier, indicating the company's strong operating leverage as it scales its business.
- Record Backlog: Management reported that indium phosphide backlog exceeded $100 million for the first time, with expectations for Q2 to set a new record for revenue, reflecting AXT's unique position within a rapidly expanding supply chain where demand outpaces capacity.
- Aggressive Capacity Expansion: AXT recently raised $632.5 million to aggressively expand production capacity, targeting a doubling of output by the end of 2026 and another doubling by the end of 2027, demonstrating strong confidence in future market demand.
See More
AXT CEO Sells Nearly 200,000 Shares
- Executive Sell-off: AXT's CEO Morris S Young sold 197,498 shares on June 1, 2026, which may raise concerns about the company's future performance, as executive sell-offs are often perceived as negative signals regarding company outlook.
- Market Reaction: Such sell-off actions could lead to a decline in investor confidence in AXT's stock, potentially impacting its price performance, especially in the current market environment where trust in executives is crucial for investor sentiment.
- Shareholding Structure Change: With the CEO's sell-off, AXT's shareholder structure may change, potentially affecting corporate governance and decision-making processes, particularly as a lower executive shareholding could increase the influence of external investors during key decisions.
- Future Outlook: Although the sell-off may trigger short-term market volatility, if the company can demonstrate strong performance growth and strategic execution in the future, it may still restore investor confidence and drive stock price recovery.
See More
AXT Inc. Stock Rallies 7.65% Amid Optimism
- Stock Recovery: AXT Inc. saw a 7.65% increase in stock price on Friday, closing at $123.78 per share as investors engaged in bargain-hunting after three consecutive days of losses, reflecting ongoing market optimism for the stock.
- Rescheduled Shareholder Meeting: The company announced the rescheduling of its 2026 Annual Stockholders’ Meeting to June 4, 2026, at 11 AM Pacific Time due to a lack of quorum, which may impact investor confidence in corporate governance.
- Improved Financial Performance: In the first quarter, AXT Inc. reduced its attributable net loss by 81% to $1.62 million, with an 84% decrease in operating loss to $1.585 million, while revenues surged by 39% to $26.9 million year-on-year, indicating significant financial improvement amid challenges.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: AXT Inc. expressed a highly optimistic outlook, anticipating strong demand from the booming artificial intelligence industry, with CEO Morris Young emphasizing the company's readiness to meet current and future customer and supply chain needs, showcasing strategic foresight.
See More
