Memory Chip Market Surge: Which is the Better Buy, Micron or Sandisk?
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2 days ago
0mins
Source: Fool
- Sandisk's Revenue Surge: In Q3 2026, Sandisk reported a 251% year-over-year revenue increase to $5.95 billion, with non-GAAP EPS soaring from $6.20 to $23.41, reflecting robust demand in the data center market.
- Diverse Supply Agreements: Sandisk has secured five multi-year supply agreements that cover over a third of its fiscal 2027 output, backed by more than $11 billion in enforceable financial guarantees, enhancing its market position.
- Micron's Strong Growth: Micron's revenue reached $23.86 billion in Q2 2026, nearly tripling from the previous year, with adjusted EPS at $12.20 and a record gross margin of 75%, showcasing its strong performance in the memory market.
- Optimistic Future Outlook: Micron anticipates Q3 2026 revenue of approximately $33.5 billion, exceeding any full-year revenue through fiscal 2024, while planning to invest over $25 billion in new plants and equipment, demonstrating confidence in future growth.
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Analyst Views on MU
Wall Street analysts forecast MU stock price to fall
26 Analyst Rating
24 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 1043.190
Low
235.00
Averages
336.12
High
500.00
Current: 1043.190
Low
235.00
Averages
336.12
High
500.00
About MU
Micron Technology, Inc. provides memory and storage solutions. The Company delivers a portfolio of high-performance dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), NAND, and NOR memory and storage products through its Micron and Crucial brands. The Company's products enable advancing in artificial intelligence (AI) and compute-intensive applications. Its segments include Cloud Memory Business Unit (CMBU), Core Data Center Business Unit (CDBU), Mobile and Client Business Unit (MCBU) and Automotive and Embedded Business Unit (AEBU). CMBU is focused on memory solutions for large hyperscale cloud customers, and high bandwidth memory (HBM) for all data center customers. CDBU is focused on memory solutions for mid-tier cloud, enterprise, and OEM data center customers and storage solutions for all data center customers. MCBU is focused on memory and storage solutions for mobile and client segments. AEBU is focused on memory and storage solutions for the automotive, industrial, and consumer segments.
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.
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- Stock Price Surge: Year-to-date, Micron's stock has skyrocketed by an astonishing 280%, reflecting the market's strong recognition of its critical role in the artificial intelligence sector, further solidifying its position in the rapidly evolving tech industry.
- Exploding Demand: As AI technology becomes more prevalent, the demand for Micron's memory and storage products has surged dramatically, and despite facing supply constraints, the company has achieved remarkable growth, showcasing its competitive strength in the market.
- Stock Split Anticipation: Analysts predict that Micron will announce a stock split in its upcoming earnings report to alleviate psychological barriers associated with its high share price, potentially attracting more investors and boosting market confidence.
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- Significant Earnings Growth: Micron Technology recently reported a staggering 196% year-over-year revenue increase and record earnings per share, demonstrating the company's robust performance in the memory and storage market, with expectations for continued record-breaking results ahead.
- Stock Price Surge: Year-to-date, Micron's stock has skyrocketed by an astonishing 280%, reflecting the market's strong recognition of its critical role in the artificial intelligence sector, further solidifying its position in the rapidly evolving tech industry.
- Exploding Demand: As AI technology becomes more prevalent, the demand for Micron's memory and storage products has surged dramatically, and despite facing supply constraints, the company has achieved remarkable growth, showcasing its competitive strength in the market.
- Stock Split Anticipation: Analysts predict that Micron will announce a stock split in its upcoming earnings report to alleviate psychological barriers associated with its high share price, potentially attracting more investors and boosting market confidence.
See More
Roundhill Memory ETF Surges to Nearly $7 Billion in Record Time Amid AI Demand
- ETF Investment Surge: The Roundhill Memory ETF (DRAM) has amassed nearly $7 billion in assets since its launch in early April, making it one of the fastest-growing ETFs in history, reflecting strong investor interest driven by soaring demand for high-bandwidth memory in AI data centers.
- Market Demand Explosion: With Micron Technology projected to generate profits comparable to Apple and Amazon next year, the booming memory market has attracted significant capital inflows, and DRAM provides investors with a more direct investment opportunity, filling the access gap for companies like Samsung and SK Hynix.
- Photonics Technology Rise: The application of photonics technology in AI data centers is increasing, with companies like Nvidia investing billions to secure supply, and stocks like Applied Optoelectronics soaring approximately 440% year-to-date, indicating the market's recognition of the importance of photonics.
- New ETF Challenges: Despite the recent launch of the Corgi Lithography & Semiconductor Photonics ETF (EUV), which only reached about $3 million in assets within four days, the demand for photonics-themed ETFs appears limited, primarily because the relevant stocks are already listed in the U.S., lacking the scarcity of investment opportunities.
See More
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- Record High Achievement: Micron Technology (MU) shares surged 8.7% on Thursday, closing at $1,133.99, marking a record high and extending year-to-date gains to nearly 305%, reflecting robust market demand and investor confidence.
- Analyst Target Upgrades: Wedbush raised Micron's price target from $550 to $1,300, implying a 22% upside, while maintaining an 'Outperform' rating, indicating strong expectations for rising DRAM and NAND prices.
- Apple's Price Increase Expectations: Apple plans to raise retail prices across its hardware lineup to counter rising memory and storage chip costs, with CEO Tim Cook stating that price hikes have become unavoidable, further fueling demand expectations for memory chips.
- Market Sentiment Analysis: While sentiment for Micron remains 'neutral', SanDisk (SNDK) shows a 'bullish' sentiment on social media, with SNDK's stock soaring nearly 805% year-to-date, indicating strong investor confidence in the storage market.
See More
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- Nvidia Leads the Charge: Nvidia, as a frontrunner in the AI sector, has shown remarkable stock performance, nearing buy points, reflecting optimistic market expectations for its future growth potential, which may attract more capital inflows.
- Chip Sector Recovery: In addition to Nvidia, four other chip companies are also approaching buy points, suggesting a recovery across the semiconductor industry, with increased investor confidence in technological innovation and demand growth, potentially driving overall industry valuations higher.
- Demand for SpaceX Stock: The rising demand for SpaceX stock indicates investor optimism regarding the company's future prospects, particularly in the intersection of aerospace and technology, highlighting potential growth opportunities in this sector.
See More
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- Strong Earnings Expectations: Micron Technology is projected to report a staggering 270% sales growth and 930% earnings growth, driven by robust demand for memory solutions amid the AI boom, underscoring the company's market leadership.
- Outstanding Market Performance: As one of the top-performing S&P 500 stocks of 2026, Micron holds a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy), indicating analysts' optimistic outlook on its future performance, which bolsters investor confidence.
- Technological Revolution Outlook: Quantum computing is anticipated to be the next technological revolution; despite some believing it is years away, major tech firms like Microsoft, Google, and Amazon are rapidly integrating quantum computing, reflecting urgent market demand for new technologies.
- Investment Opportunities: Senior Stock Strategist Kevin Cook highlights that investors have a chance to capitalize on potential stocks in the quantum computing space, which could further enhance Micron Technology and related companies' market performance.
See More
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- Oil Price Forecast: With increased crude exports through the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. Navy lifting its blockade, Jim Cramer anticipates that if peace negotiations with Iran continue to progress, oil prices could see a 'shockingly lower' drop, easing inflationary pressures and supporting potential interest rate cuts.
- Travel Demand Impact: Carnival is set to report earnings before the bell on Monday, which Cramer believes will reveal the effects of the Iran war on travel and the implications of recent fuel price declines on demand, although he favors Viking Holdings for its upscale customer base and pricing power.
- Housing Market Focus: Cramer notes that KB Home's earnings report will provide insights into the impact of elevated interest rates on housing demand, stating that the housing market feels 'dead in the water' and deserves more attention from central bankers.
- Semiconductor Industry Outlook: Micron Technology is scheduled to report earnings on Wednesday, which Cramer calls 'the most consequential quarter of the week,' emphasizing that the company must significantly exceed expectations and raise guidance to maintain its stock rally.
See More
