MU Stock Nears Record Level on Analyst Upgrades as DRAM, HBM Demand Forecasts Rise

Micron's current climb comes after a tumultuous month in which AI trade and mounting fears about overstretching collided, but strong...

Micron Reclaims Momentum, Yet Questions Over AI Sustainability Persist

Quick overview

  • Micron's stock has surged for three consecutive sessions despite recent volatility driven by AI market concerns.
  • The company plans to exit its Crucial consumer division by early 2026, raising near-term revenue disruption fears.
  • Analysts have upgraded their price targets for Micron, signaling confidence in long-term AI memory demand.
  • Broader sector concerns about hyperscaler spending and geopolitical tensions continue to challenge Micron's bullish outlook.

Micron’s current climb comes after a tumultuous month in which AI trade and mounting fears about overstretching collided, but strong institutional buy ratings are propelling MU stock higher for the third day running.

Micron Faces Sharp Volatility as AI Euphoria Meets New Market Doubts

Micron Technology’s recent trading action reflects the fragile balance between explosive AI-driven optimism and lingering concerns about sustainability in one of the world’s most cyclical industries. After spending much of the year climbing to new heights—ultimately reaching an all-time high of $261—Micron entered November with extraordinary momentum.

Its high-bandwidth memory products, essential for advanced AI accelerators, propelled the stock to the forefront of the semiconductor rally. But sentiment shifted abruptly as a broad technology selloff swept through the market. Within days, Micron tumbled more than 23%, slicing through the $200 level and sparking renewed debate over whether the AI memory trade had become too overheated.

The sharp decline cast doubt on Micron’s ability to sustain such historic gains. The stock had surged more than 170% in 2024 alone, making it one of the most aggressively bid-up beneficiaries of AI infrastructure spending. When volatility struck, it exposed just how crowded the trade had become, raising questions about whether investors were pricing perfection into a sector known for violent cycles.

Recovery Attempts Gain Traction but Hit Technical Headwinds

Following the rapid selloff, Micron initially found support along its 50-day simple moving average, a level that had acted as a reliable base for most of the year. The stock rebounded into the mid-$240s, enticing dip-buyers and restoring some optimism. But the recovery quickly encountered resistance as the 20-day moving average—previously dependable support—turned into a barrier, signaling shifting momentum beneath the surface.

MU Stock Chart Daily – The 50 SMA Held As Support

Sentiment came under further pressure when reports emerged that Micron plans to wind down its Crucial consumer division by early 2026, effectively exiting the retail SSD and DRAM market. While many analysts viewed it as a strategic refocus on higher-margin enterprise and AI-centric products, the transition raised near-term concerns about revenue disruption. Shares slipped more than 5% intraday before stabilizing.

Still, the chart has improved meaningfully over the past few sessions. Micron has reclaimed the 20-day SMA and closed at $252.42 on Tuesday, extending its rebound to a third straight day and bringing the stock within striking distance of its all-time high once again.

Wall Street’s Upgrades Fuel Renewed Bullish Momentum

Analysts have played a central role in restoring investor confidence. Mizuho raised its price target to $270 last week, projecting stronger DRAM margins in 2026 and 2027 and forecasting $56 billion in revenue within two years. Their estimates suggest that AI-optimized memory could deliver earnings power far beyond previous cycles.

On Monday, a wave of additional upgrades sent the stock sharply higher. Bank of America lifted its target to $250, highlighting a structural, multi-year AI demand cycle rather than a fleeting rebound. Hours later, Susquehanna issued one of the most aggressive forecasts to date, raising its target to $300.

Other major institutions—including UBS, Rosenblatt, Citi, and Wells Fargo—reaffirmed bullish views, with most targets falling between the high-$200s and low-$300s. Collectively, these revisions signaled conviction that AI memory economics are undergoing a fundamental, not temporary, transformation.

Broader Sector Concerns Challenge the Bull Case

Micron’s struggles were not isolated. The entire AI supply chain experienced heavy selling as analysts questioned whether hyperscaler spending can maintain its blistering pace. Redburn and Rothschild both warned that mega-cap cloud providers may reassess capital expenditures, potentially softening orders for AI accelerators and memory modules.

As concerns spread, stocks tied to AI infrastructure—from GPU makers to data-center operators—fell in tandem. The market appears to be transitioning from a phase of exuberance to a more selective environment, where investors demand clearer proof of earnings durability before extending valuations further.

Strong Financial Results Offer Stability but Not Certainty

Micron’s fundamentals remain exceptionally strong. The company delivered quarterly revenue of $11.32 billion, up 46% year over year, with adjusted EPS of $3.03—far above expectations. Full-year revenue reached $37.38 billion, while net income jumped to $8.5 billion. Data-center demand now accounts for more than half of Micron’s revenue, underscoring its rising importance within the AI ecosystem.

Yet risks remain. Micron’s valuation already reflects high expectations for AI-driven memory adoption. Rival manufacturers are rapidly expanding next-generation HBM production, and geopolitical tensions across Asia continue to complicate semiconductor supply chains. The race toward HBM4 and advanced DRAM nodes may put pressure on pricing as capacity ramps into 2026.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More
Skerdian Meta
Lead Analyst
Skerdian Meta Lead Analyst. Skerdian is a professional Forex trader and a market analyst. He has been actively engaged in market analysis for the past 11 years. Before becoming our head analyst, Skerdian served as a trader and market analyst in Saxo Bank's local branch, Aksioner. Skerdian specialized in experimenting with developing models and hands-on trading. Skerdian has a masters degree in finance and investment.

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