Major memory chip manufacturers Micron, Samsung, and SK Hynix are pursuing long-term AI deals to stabilize their businesses and avoid traditional industry volatility, as revealed in recent strategic discussions. This comes as Micron Technology reported staggering third-quarter earnings with revenue skyrocketing 346% year-over-year to $414.6 billion, far surpassing analyst expectations. The AI-fueled demand for memory chips has transformed the company into a market leader, with its stock surging 300% this year and gaining another 13% in after-hours trading following the announcement. Reuters+2
Micron's data center revenue jumped over 667%, while gross margins reached an unprecedented 84.9%. The company attributed this performance to soaring demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in AI processors, particularly those paired with Nvidia's products. Customers have committed $22 billion in advance to secure future supply, reflecting severe industry shortages that analysts predict will last until at least 2027. China.org+2
Investment banks have significantly raised Micron's target price, with JPMorgan setting it at $1540 and Deutsche Bank at $1500, citing persistent supply-demand imbalances. The bank projects these conditions will continue through 2026-2028. Micron's net profits are now second only to Nvidia in the semiconductor sector, with the US government recently awarding the company $6.1 billion in grants and $7.5 billion in loans to expand domestic production. China.org+2
The earnings report stabilized European markets after a tech selloff, with Micron's stock surging 11% and helping push the Dow Jones to record highs. The broader semiconductor sector has seen shares triple in value during 2026's first half as investors favor hardware companies supporting AI technologies over traditional software firms. The Independent+2
CEO Sanjay Mehrotra warned that supply shortages could persist beyond 2027 despite capacity expansions. The company faces challenges meeting demand for chips used in AI infrastructure, with production bottlenecks expected to continue. This outlook has led to increased volatility in semiconductor stocks as investors weigh long-term growth against short-term constraints. China.org+2