Tech stocks jump as Micron, Qualcomm lift AI outlook

Tech stocks rallied after Micron and Qualcomm each offered constructive commentary on AI-driven demand, with MU benefiting from surging HBM memory demand and QCOM pointing to edge AI as a growing revenue lever. Micron's fiscal 2025 revenue came in at $37.4B, up nearly 49% year-over-year, with gross margins recovering to 39.8% — a meaningful turnaround from the prior cycle trough.

Qualcomm posted $44.3B in revenue, up roughly 14% YoY, with a 12.5% net margin — solid but thinner than Micron's, reflecting its chip licensing and handset mix. Both companies are now positioned as AI infrastructure beneficiaries, though through different exposure vectors: MU via data center HBM and DRAM, QCOM via on-device AI in smartphones and automotive.

For Micron, the bull case rests on whether HBM pricing holds and whether hyperscaler capex commitments translate into durable DRAM ASP support through 2026. The bear case is a memory cycle rollover — MU's revenues are historically volatile, and a demand air pocket from inventory digestion could compress margins quickly from the current 39.8% gross level.

For Qualcomm, the edge AI narrative is real but slower-burn — handset upgrade cycles are elongating and the licensing business faces ongoing headline risk from customer disputes. Absent a cleaner catalyst date, both setups are more watch-and-confirm than chase — the key tells will be whether the next quarterly prints show guidance that exceeds the newly raised bar.