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According to analysts at Bank of America, Micron is still a buy, raising its price target to $1,500 from $950. “We maintain our bullish views for AI memory, supported by robust demand and limited supplies through CY26-28,” said the firm, as quoted by CNBC.
Markets are coming under a good deal of pressure.
At the moment, the Dow is down 273 points. The S&P 500 is down 100. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) is down $10. The Nasdaq is down 828 points, as tech stocks come under significant pressure. A lot of the pressure on the Nasdaq is from Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG | GOOG Price Prediction), which fell more than $18.68 just yesterday and is down another $6 in premarket. Reportedly, the GOOG stock is dropping after two high-profile AI researchers left the company for rivals over the last few days.
Micron (NASDAQ: MU) is down $82 in premarket after rocketing $77 just yesterday. The stock is taking a hit after competitor SK Hynix took a hit. Investors are worried that hyperscalers won’t be able to continue spending at this rate on artificial intelligence.
The second major issue is the Federal Reserve.
Investors are increasingly worried that interest rates may stay higher for longer than previously expected. Recent inflation data has remained stubbornly elevated, leading traders to scale back expectations for rate cuts and even consider the possibility of additional tightening.
That matters because higher interest rates increase borrowing costs throughout the economy.
And when rates rise, investors often rotate away from richly valued growth stocks and into more defensive areas of the market.
Another factor contributing to today’s risk-off mood is global markets.
Overnight, Asian markets posted significant declines, while European markets also moved lower. Investors around the world are responding to the same concerns facing Wall Street: slowing momentum in technology shares, uncertainty surrounding future monetary policy, and questions about economic growth.
Commodity markets are also sending mixed signals. Oil prices have been weakening recently, which would normally be viewed as positive for inflation. However, the decline in energy prices hasn’t been enough to offset investor concerns about the broader economic picture and the possibility of higher interest rates.
Investors are also looking ahead to several important economic reports scheduled for later this week. Inflation data remains a key focus, as does any commentary from Federal Reserve officials regarding the future path of monetary policy. Stronger-than-expected economic data could reinforce concerns that rates will stay elevated, while weaker data could raise worries about slowing growth. Either way, volatility could remain elevated.
So, what should investors watch today?
Keep an eye on the technology sector and the Nasdaq, particularly semiconductor stocks and companies tied to artificial intelligence spending.
Two, keep an eye on whether selling pressure extends into other sectors. If it does, spread beyond technology and into other sectors, it could signal a broader market correction. However, if weakness remains concentrated in AI and growth stocks, the overall market may prove more resilient.
The bottom line is that stock futures are down this morning because investors are reassessing the AI trade, reacting to growing concerns about higher-for-longer interest rates, and taking profits after a powerful rally in technology stocks. While today’s decline looks significant, it remains too early to determine whether this is simply a healthy pullback or the start of a larger correction.
As always, investors should focus on the long-term fundamentals and avoid making emotional decisions based on a single trading session.