The rapid rise of AI has driven significant investments in data centers and memory chips, crucial for processing large amounts of data. 

Micron Technology (MU) has benefited from this demand, particularly for its high-bandwidth memory chips, but has faced recent challenges due to a slowdown in other memory markets and weaker demand in consumer electronics. 

As a result, Micron’s earnings and stock performance have suffered, indicating that its growth momentum is slowing amid shifting market conditions.

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Rapid advancement in AI has fundamentally altered how companies approach data, with enormous amounts of information needing to be stored, processed, and analyzed.

As AI models become more sophisticated and capable, their hunger for data and computational power grows exponentially.

This has fueled a wave of investment in AI infrastructure, particularly in data centers that serve as the backbone for AI processing.

Data centers are complex facilities packed with high-performance equipment like servers, cooling systems, and networking gear, all of which are essential to keep the vast flows of data moving smoothly.

One often overlooked but crucial component in this setup is memory chips. These small yet vital pieces of technology play a significant role in ensuring that data can be accessed and processed quickly.

The increased demand for AI and data center operations has directly benefited memory chip manufacturers.

Micron Technology (MU) has established itself as a key player in the memory chip market, supplying key components like DRAM and NAND that are essential for data centers, consumer electronics, and other tech applications.

The company has enjoyed substantial earnings growth recently, fueled by demand from AI. With that, its stock price jumped as well. Now though, its stock has dropped nearly 40% from its all-time high.

AI investments continue to increase but not all areas of Micron’s business have kept pace.

One of the primary reasons for Micron’s recent decline is a slowdown in non-high-bandwidth memory (HBM) DRAM and NAND markets. 

While high-bandwidth memory chips are in high demand, other types of memory products are experiencing slower growth. 

This uneven performance is partly due to a broader market shift, with some customers already holding substantial inventory.

They stocked up ahead of anticipated price hikes, leading to weaker seasonality in the latter half of 2024.

As demand for these specific memory types lags, the company’s revenue and profits are taking a hit. 

Adding to the pressure is a slowdown in consumer electronics sales, which further drags down Micron’s financial performance.

The company had a good run when AI infrastructure spending was at its peak, but things have shifted.

Now, with softer demand and market pressures weighing on its core products, Micron’s growth story isn’t what it used to be. This could be the signal to start looking elsewhere.

Best regards,

Joel Litman & Rob Spivey
Chief Investment Strategist &
Director of Research
at Valens Research