Why Citi Thinks Micron Stock Is Headed to $150 After Earnings Beat
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Micron Know-how (MU), a number one American semiconductor firm, is progressively rising as a key participant within the high-stakes world of semiconductors. Not too long ago, Micron reported strong fiscal third quarter outcomes.
Consequently, a Citi analyst raised the worth goal for the inventory to $150 from $130, which displays upside potential of 23.2% from present ranges. Micron inventory is up 45.6% year-to-date, wildly outperforming the broader market index.
Let’s discover out what made the Citi analyst so optimistic in regards to the inventory and if it’s a purchase now.
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Citi analyst Christopher Danely’s worth goal improve follows Micron’s stronger-than-expected outcomes and steering, which have been largely pushed by improved pricing and better shipments. Whereas the vast majority of the upside got here from NAND fairly than DRAM, which may clarify the inventory’s drop following the earnings name, Danely stays bullish. Citi additionally raised its earnings estimates, citing a rebound in DRAM pricing and Micron’s growing publicity to synthetic intelligence (AI) as key progress drivers.
Micron’s core enterprise is manufacturing reminiscence and storage merchandise comparable to DRAM, NAND Flash Reminiscence, and high-bandwidth reminiscence (HBM). It permits the digital world by offering reminiscence and storage expertise serving knowledge facilities and cloud computing, AI, and machine studying, smartphones and cellular units, automotive, and shopper electronics. This usefulness is mirrored within the firm’s third-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings. Complete income elevated by 36.6% 12 months on 12 months, reaching $9.3 billion. Adjusted internet revenue rose by a whopping 208% to $1.91 per share. Adjusted gross margin elevated to 39% from 28.1% within the prior 12 months quarter. This surge was pushed by sturdy demand from AI knowledge facilities, higher-than-expected DRAM pricing, and improved NAND market dynamics.
Micron is making important investments in long-term innovation. It has introduced multibillion-dollar initiatives to broaden its manufacturing footprint within the U.S., that are backed by authorities incentives below the CHIPS Act. Regardless of the numerous investments, the corporate’s steadiness sheet stays sturdy, with almost $12.2 billion in money and marketable securities and $1.95 billion in adjusted free money move on the finish of Q3. It offers the corporate the flexibleness to put money into product improvements and climate volatility.
Looking forward to This autumn, administration expects income of $10.7 billion (plus or minus $300 million). This may signify a 39% enhance from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024.
Analysts count on fiscal 2025 gross sales to extend by 46.5% to $36.8 billion, adopted by a 28% year-over-year enhance in fiscal 2026. Equally, earnings may rise by a staggering 501.9% in fiscal 2025, adopted by one other 54% in fiscal 2026. Micron inventory is at the moment buying and selling at 15x ahead earnings, which is sort of modest when in comparison with friends within the semiconductor business, comparable to Nvidia (NVDA) or Superior Micro Units (AMD), notably given its progress prospects.
Except for Citi, many different corporations are optimistic about MU inventory following a robust Q3 report. As an example, Barclays analyst Tom O’Malley raised MU’s worth goal to $140 from $95 with a “Purchase” score, citing sturdy high-bandwidth reminiscence demand.
Equally, KeyBanc raised its worth goal for MU to $160 from $135 and reiterated its “Chubby” score. The agency cited Micron’s sturdy Q3 outcomes and better-than-expected This autumn steering, which have been pushed by favorable pricing, improved product combine, and robust demand, notably for DRAM and HBM.
DBS analyst Jim Hin Kwong Au reiterated his “Purchase” score and worth goal of $149, citing the corporate’s sturdy place within the AI-driven reminiscence market. The analyst believes Micron’s superior applied sciences will put it on the forefront of assembly rising demand from AI knowledge facilities and GPU-powered techniques. With pricing power anticipated to persist, he believes Micron will expertise sturdy long-term income and margin progress.
Total, on Wall Avenue, Micron inventory has earned a “Robust Purchase” score. Out of the 30 analysts masking MU, 22 price it a “Robust Purchase,” 4 price it a “Average Purchase,” three advocate a “Maintain,” and one says it’s a “Robust Promote.” The common goal worth for the inventory is $150.72, which is 23% above present ranges. Plus, its Avenue-high estimate of $200 implies an upside potential of 64% over the following 12 months.
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On the date of publication, Sushree Mohanty didn’t have (both instantly or not directly) positions in any of the securities talked about on this article. All info and knowledge on this article is solely for informational functions. This text was initially printed on Barchart.com