New York, Jan 14, 2026, 10:28 (EST) — Regular session
- Micron shares slipped roughly 0.7% early in the session.
- According to Reuters, retail traders have stepped up their purchases of memory and storage chipmakers.
- Bank of America raised its price target for Micron to $400, pointing to stronger memory pricing.
Micron Technology, Inc. shares dipped roughly 0.7% to $335.63 Wednesday morning, slipping back after an impressive rally earlier this year.
The stock is under the spotlight after Reuters revealed retail traders ramped up bets on U.S. memory and data-storage chipmakers this January, anticipating an AI-driven supply crunch that will keep prices high. Samsung’s co-CEO TM Roh described the shortage as “unprecedented” in a recent Reuters interview. SanDisk (SNDK.O) drew over $7.1 million in retail inflows Monday alone. Western Digital (WDC.O) and Seagate (STX.O) have also recorded net inflows this year, according to the report. Micron (MU.O) stands out as one of the most traded names on Interactive Brokers’ platform over the last five sessions. “Seeing SanDisk in the No. 4 slot tells us that it is more than simply a coincidence,” said Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers. Micron has surged 18% so far in 2026, following a 240% gain in 2025. (Reuters)
Bank of America bumped its Micron price target to $400 from $300, sticking with a Buy rating. The upgrade hinges on stronger DRAM prices and Samsung’s tight capital spending. Analyst Vivek Arya noted that “industry clean room space remains limited,” with new equipment installation and volume production still “likely 2-3 years away.” He suggested this scarcity could stretch the upcycle. (Investing)
Rivals aren’t slowing down despite the longer runway. SK Hynix (000660.KS) announced a 19 trillion won ($12.90 billion) investment to build an advanced chip-packaging facility in South Korea. Construction kicks off this April, with plans to wrap up by the end of next year. According to Macquarie Equity Research, SK Hynix controlled 61% of the high-bandwidth memory market last year, well ahead of Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) at 19% and Micron at 20%. (Reuters)
High-bandwidth memory, or HBM, is a stacked DRAM variant that works with AI processors to speed data transfer and cut power use. Investors are also zeroing in on packaging — the final stage where chips get stacked and tested — since this bottleneck can limit shipments despite wafer capacity growth.
Micron’s immediate outlook hangs on whether spot and contract prices continue their upward trend and if customers remain committed to securing supply. Even a whisper that producers might ease up on capital spending could shake the entire sector.
Memory moves in cycles, and past booms have collapsed under their own weight. Should AI server demand ease or new capacity arrive sooner than anticipated, pricing power could vanish fast, leaving today’s bullish forecasts vulnerable.
Micron is gearing up for a major milestone. The company plans to break ground on its huge new megafab campus in Onondaga County, New York, on Jan. 16. The project carries a price tag of $100 billion. CEO Sanjay Mehrotra described the start of construction as “a pivotal moment for Micron and the United States.” Investors will be looking closely for any updates on the timeline, spending, and how fast the new capacity might ease the tight supply. (Micron Technology)
