This Under-the-Radar AI Stock Is Already Up 50% in 2026

The Motley Fool
by newsfeedback@fool.com (Geoffrey Seiler)
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU) has emerged as a standout performer in the AI stock market so far in 2026. Following a remarkable 239% surge in 2025, the company's shares have already climbed an impressive 50% in the opening months of 2026. Despite these significant gains, Micron remains attractively valued by traditional metrics, with a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.5 times for fiscal year 2026 and 9.5 times for fiscal year 2027, according to analyst consensus. Micron's unexpected success can be attributed to its position as a key supplier of memory chips, which are critical components in AI hardware such as graphics processing units (GPUs) and tensor processing units (TPUs). As demand for AI technology accelerates across industries, companies like NVIDIA and Google—major users of Micron's products—are driving increased revenue. This growing reliance on Micron's specialized memory solutions positions the company as a key player in the AI revolution. The company's ability to capitalize on AI's explosive growth is further supported by its strong balance sheet and consistent innovation in memory technology. As other semiconductor firms face challenges with production costs and supply chain disruptions, Micron has managed to maintain profitability while scaling up production to meet surging demand. This strategic positioning has allowed it to outperform expectations and deliver robust returns for investors. For finance enthusiasts and investors, Micron's story underscores the
Verticals
financeinvesting
Originally published on The Motley Fool on 2/25/2026