Micron Stock Surges On AI Memory Demand

Micron stock rose Jan. 16, 2026, after the company reported fiscal first-quarter 2026 results and raised its near-term outlook, citing sold-out high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for AI data centers and a notable share purchase by former TSMC executive Mark Liu.

Strong Q1 Results and Raised Guidance

Micron Technology Inc. (MU) reported fiscal Q1 2026 revenue of $13.6 billion, up 56.8% year over year, with non-GAAP net income of $5.5 billion, or $4.78 per diluted share. Cloud-memory sales nearly doubled to $5.3 billion. Operating cash flow reached a record $3.9 billion for the quarter.

The company forecast fiscal second-quarter revenue between $18.3 billion and $19.1 billion and non-GAAP diluted EPS of $8.22 to $8.62. Management attributed the outlook to sustained demand for high-bandwidth memory and multiyear customer volume commitments. Analyst consensus for full fiscal 2026 EPS stands at $32.19, implying about 319% year-over-year earnings growth.

For fiscal 2025, Micron posted revenue of $37.4 billion, up 48.9%, and earnings of $8.5 billion, reflecting outsized profit growth. All four business units reported revenue gains, with the data-center segment benefiting most from AI workload demand.

HBM Supply Constraints and Strategic Shifts

Micron finalized price and volume agreements covering its entire calendar-2026 supply of high-bandwidth memory, including next-generation HBM4. The company said its HBM supply for 2026 is sold out as production prioritizes AI data centers, limiting capacity for consumer DRAM and NAND products.

In late 2025, Micron began phasing out its Crucial consumer brand to free manufacturing capacity for AI-grade HBM, aiming to meet multiyear volume commitments from data-center customers.

Micron holds about 25.7% of the global DRAM market and roughly 20%–21% of the HBM market. The HBM segment is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 25.5%, reaching approximately $7.7 billion by 2035.

On Jan. 16, a transaction reported at 3:33 a.m. ET showed former TSMC co-CEO Mark Liu purchased about $8 million in Micron shares, signaling confidence alongside the company’s strong cash flow and customer commitments.

While these agreements and commitments support the raised guidance and investor interest, analysts note risks remain. The memory sector could face cyclical oversupply after 2026, and Micron’s planned capital spending, including a large New York megafab, will require substantial multi-year investment.