New York, Jan 27, 2026, 14:18 (EST) — Regular session
Applied Materials (AMAT) rose $15.38, or 4.8%, to $334.84 in Tuesday afternoon trading, topping the semiconductor equipment sector. The jump came after Micron Technology hinted at ramped-up memory spending.
That matters to investors because chip-tool manufacturers frequently serve as an early indicator of factory investment. A significant capex announcement can move demand forecasts long before actual orders start coming in.
The timing is far from ideal. The Federal Reserve ends its two-day meeting on Wednesday, with the rate statement set for 2 p.m. ET, quickly followed by Chair Jerome Powell’s comments. This often shakes up growth and tech shares.
Micron revealed late Monday that it has kicked off construction on a new wafer fabrication plant at its NAND memory hub in Singapore. The company is set to pour about $24 billion into the project over the next ten years, targeting the start of wafer production in the second half of 2028. “Micron’s leadership in advanced memory and storage is enabling the AI-driven transformation,” said executive vice president Manish Bhatia. Micron Technology
Micron’s move comes as the market grapples with tight supplies of key memory products. Bryan Ao, an analyst at TrendForce, forecasts contract prices for enterprise solid-state drives will surge 55% to 60%, fueled by demand outstripping supply. He added that demand for high-performance storage gear is picking up faster than expected.
Applied rose, following chip-tool peers Lam Research and KLA, which also posted gains. ASML pushed higher ahead of its quarterly earnings announcement.
ASML will release its Q4 and full-year 2025 results Wednesday, with attention on bookings and guidance for clues on 2026 tool demand across logic and memory segments.
Applied Materials provides wafer-fab equipment, including deposition and etch tools that build layers on silicon wafers, along with maintenance services for that gear. The stock usually moves quickly when customers shift their spending patterns.
Applied Materials plans to report its fiscal first-quarter results on Feb. 12, followed by an earnings call at 4:30 p.m. ET.
That said, the upside isn’t certain. Applied warned that tougher U.S. chip export rules could trim about $600 million from its fiscal 2026 revenue. The company also anticipates a decline in spending on chipmaking equipment in China next year as controls tighten.
Traders are zeroing in on Wednesday’s Fed decision and Powell’s press conference. After that, ASML’s earnings report takes center stage. Attention will then move to Applied Materials’ update on February 12, expected to reveal details on orders, margins, and how much of the memory build-out could drive near-term tool demand.
