Micron Technology Inc. Faces Investor Disappointment Despite AI Optimism
Micron Technology Inc., the top US producer of computer memory chips, saw a decline in late trading as its forecast fell short of investor expectations in the midst of the artificial intelligence (AI) craze. While the company predicted fiscal fourth-quarter sales to be in the range of $7.4 billion to $7.8 billion, some analysts were hoping for numbers higher than $8 billion. Profit is anticipated to be around $1.08 per share, excluding certain items, compared to the estimated $1.02.
Despite benefiting from the surge in AI computing, Micron is still grappling with sluggish demand in its traditional markets, such as personal computers and smartphones, which are slowly recovering after a challenging year. The stock dropped about 7% in extended trading, despite having rallied 67% earlier in the year on expectations of its AI-related gains.
In the third quarter that concluded on May 30, Micron reported an 82% increase in revenue to $6.81 billion, alongside a profit of 62 cents per share, excluding specific items. The company sold $100 million of new high-bandwidth memory (HBM3e) chips in the last quarter and projects a considerable rise in total sales of high-bandwidth products in the coming period.
However, ramping up production of this new memory has proven to be a challenging task, impacting supply and resulting in steadily increasing pricing. Micron plans to spend around $8 billion on new plants and equipment in fiscal year 2024, with an expected increase in construction expenses in the following year to support projects in Idaho and New York.
Micron foresees a rebound for the memory chip industry in 2024 and record sales in 2025, with AI features expected to drive demand for phones and PCs. While facing competition from South Korea’s Samsung Electronics Co. and SK Hynix Inc., Micron remains optimistic about the future of AI technology and its pivotal role in shaping the company’s growth.
Stay tuned to Extreme Investor Network for the latest updates on Micron Technology Inc. and other key players in the finance and technology sectors as we navigate the evolving landscape of AI-driven innovations and investment opportunities.