Is Micron Being Squeezed Out Now That SK Hynix and Samsung Have Partnered With Major Chip Companies?

Source The Motley Fool

Key Points

  • Memory chip stocks tend to benefit greatly from chip shortages.

  • Nvidia has not stopped buying from Micron despite its agreement with SK Hynix.

  • Micron has also partnered with cloud enterprises and companies developing custom AI chips.

  • 10 stocks we like better than Micron Technology ›

On the surface, it might look like competitors may have frozen out Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU). This comes as SK Hynix and Nvidia have partnered to build chips compatible with one another, and now Samsung Electronics and Broadcom are collaborating as well. Amid those developments, Micron stock is down by more than 30% from its high in late June.

According to Micron, the memory chip supply will remain tight beyond 2027. Nonetheless, thanks in part to these competitor agreements, one might conclude that Micron faces a future where the industry plans to leave it behind.

Missed Nvidia in 2009? This Rare Signal Is Flashing Again. In 2009, a "Double Down" signal flashed for a little-known chipmaker called Nvidia. For the first time in years, that same "Total Conviction" signal is flashing for a company 1/100th the size of Nvidia. Continue »

Fortunately, Micron has plenty of other options, and the company should continue prospering for these reasons.

Micron's logo.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

Micron's remaining book of business

One reason Micron is likely to be fine is that it continues to partner with Nvidia. Micron failed Nvidia's specification requirements for data transfer speed in its Vera Rubin architecture, according to industry sources. That led to Micron not supporting that architecture.

However, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang confirmed that the three top memory chipmakers, which included Micron, were indispensable to Nvidia's AI hardware. Thus, it has not completely lost Nvidia as a client.

Moreover, the comparative lack of reliance on Nvidia has given it a more diverse client base. As a result, it has earned business from cloud providers and custom AI chip designers. This means that companies such as Meta Platforms, Advanced Micro Devices, and Tesla have become Micron customers.

Additionally, it has locked many of these customers into five-year agreements. That places Micron in a position to better endure any possible downturn that sent its stock tumbling after past upcycles.

The rapid growth continues, but watch the stock

Furthermore, investors concerned about Micron should review its financials. In the third quarter of its fiscal 2026 (ended May 28), its revenue totaled $41 billion -- up 346% year over year. With that gain, its $28 billion in profit far exceeded the $1.9 billion in net income from the year-ago quarter.

That is faster than the 247% increase forecast for the current fiscal year and the 84% rise in revenue predicted for fiscal 2027. Nonetheless, such numbers strongly indicate it remains a major competitor in the memory industry.

The stock has dropped in recent weeks. Investors have become skittish about the sustainability of the massive capital expenditures and financing concerns within the AI industry. Such price action means investors should probably buy through dollar-cost averaging (DCA) if they begin investing now.

Still, Micron stock sells at a P/E ratio of 19, possibly because its past volatility could make some investors nervous. Also, the forward P/E of 11 indicates its growth is on track to continue, yet another sign it will fare well despite not gaining specific partnerships.

Micron stock moving forward

Given industry growth and Micron's current customers, the stock could still grow even after losing out on agreements with Nvidia and Broadcom. Part of its continued success stems from its status as one of Nvidia's customers. Moreover, it maintains strong ties to the cloud industry and developers of custom AI chips.

That has led to massive revenue and profit growth. With its P/E ratio of 19, the semiconductor stock's rise is probably not over, but recent price action probably calls for a more cautious approach to Micron in the near term.

Should you buy stock in Micron Technology right now?

Before you buy stock in Micron Technology, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Micron Technology wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $397,081!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,166,221!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 889% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 203% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of July 30, 2026.

Will Healy has positions in Advanced Micro Devices. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Advanced Micro Devices, Broadcom, Meta Platforms, Micron Technology, Nvidia, and Tesla. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
Gold Price Forecast: Can Gold Hold $4,020 as Fed Rate Hike Expectations Rise? As of the Asian session on July 30, gold prices ( XAUUSD) surged and then retraced following the Federal Reserve meeting, once falling to $4,028.62 during the session. From a market persp
Author  TradingKey
9 hours ago
As of the Asian session on July 30, gold prices ( XAUUSD) surged and then retraced following the Federal Reserve meeting, once falling to $4,028.62 during the session. From a market persp
placeholder
WTI falls below $83.00 despite hostilities in the Middle East West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $82.80 during the early Asian trading hours on Thursday. WTI falls amid some profit-taking despite escalating conflicts in the Middle East. 
Author  FXStreet
16 hours ago
West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the US crude oil benchmark, is trading around $82.80 during the early Asian trading hours on Thursday. WTI falls amid some profit-taking despite escalating conflicts in the Middle East. 
placeholder
SEC Chair Backs CLARITY Act as Crypto Rally Stalls and Bitcoin Stays Below $65,000 With the FOMC rate decision looming, the US SEC Chairman's support for the CLARITY Act has a very limited impact on the crypto market.On July 29, US SEC Chairman Paul Atkins voiced suppor
Author  TradingKey
Yesterday 10: 22
With the FOMC rate decision looming, the US SEC Chairman's support for the CLARITY Act has a very limited impact on the crypto market.On July 29, US SEC Chairman Paul Atkins voiced suppor
placeholder
WTI rebounds from two-week low, well bid around mid-$81.00s amid Iran risksWest Texas Intermediate (WTI) – the benchmark US Crude Oil price – gains strong positive traction during the Asian session on Wednesday, snapping a three-day losing streak to an over two-week low touched the previous day.
Author  FXStreet
Yesterday 01: 18
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) – the benchmark US Crude Oil price – gains strong positive traction during the Asian session on Wednesday, snapping a three-day losing streak to an over two-week low touched the previous day.
placeholder
Fed Decision Eve: 104 Economists Expect No Change; Why Is Citadel Securities Betting on a Surprise Hike?The Federal Reserve will announce its July interest rate decision on July 29, Eastern Time. The current target range for the federal funds rate remains at 3.5%-3.75%, but the suspense sur
Author  TradingKey
Jul 28, Tue
The Federal Reserve will announce its July interest rate decision on July 29, Eastern Time. The current target range for the federal funds rate remains at 3.5%-3.75%, but the suspense sur
goTop
quote