Micron vs. AMD: Only One AI Stock Looks Like a Better Buy Now

With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), both Micron Technology, Inc. MU and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. AMD have benefited immensely, delivering strong revenue growth and profitability in their latest quarterly results. However, if investors had to choose between the two, which stock should it be?

Let’s take a look –

Reasons to Be Bullish on Micron 

Micron’s revenues for the fiscal third quarter of 2026 reached $41.46 billion, up from $9.3 billion a year earlier and $23.86 billion from the prior quarter, according to the company’s press release.  

Exceptionally strong demand for Micron’s cutting-edge high-bandwidth memory (“HBM”) chips boosted the company’s top-line growth. Demand for HBM chips surged as hyperscalers increased spending on AI infrastructure. The HBM chips can efficiently manage complex AI workloads, while offering greater power efficiency. 

Micron further expects revenues to rise to $50 billion, plus or minus $1 billion, in the fiscal fourth quarter of 2026, driven largely by continued strength in AI memory demand. The company’s multi-year strategic customer agreements have improved long-term revenue visibility and strengthened growth prospects. Meanwhile, Micron expects a strong gross margin of around 86% for the fiscal fourth quarter, banking on robust demand for its memory products and strong pricing power.  

Reasons to Be Bullish on AMD 

AMD continues to witness rapid revenue growth along with expanding margins. In the second quarter of 2026, AMD’s revenues were $11.5 billion, up 50% year over year and 13% sequentially, according to the company’s press release. Data Center revenues in particular more than doubled year over year.  

Demand for AMD’s EPYC server processors is accelerating, while its Instinct accelerators are scaling rapidly and the Helios platform begins its ramp-up. AMD now expects revenues to increase further to $13 billion, plus or minus $300 million in the third quarter of 2026. From the midpoint, it would be 41% year-over-year and 13% sequential growth. Data Center sales are also expected to accelerate in the second half of 2026. 

Additionally, AMD expects a healthy non-GAAP gross margin of 56% for the third quarter, indicating that profitability continues to improve as revenue increases. Thus, AMD will be entering the second half of 2026 with considerable momentum. 

Micron or AMD: Which AI Stock Is the Better Buy? 

Micron’s revenue and profitability outlook remains strong, driven by rising HBM demand, strategic customer agreements, and favorable pricing. Similarly, AMD’s growth outlook remains strong, driven by accelerating AI and data center demand, increasing product adoption, and improving profitability. 

At the same time, both companies are maintaining strong balance sheets and appear well-positioned to navigate broader market volatility. Micron’s current ratio of 3.42 is excellent, given the memory chip industry’s cyclical nature. It provides a liquidity cushion to withstand short-term downturns.  

AMD’s current ratio of 2.61 is lower than Micron’s but still indicates the company is financially sound. The lower ratio also suggests AMD is deploying its resources aggressively toward high-growth opportunities rather than holding excessive cash.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

However, Micron remains more efficient than AMD at generating returns on shareholders’ equity, as indicated by a higher return on equity (ROE). Micron’s ROE of 72.5% exceeds AMD’s ROE of 14.9%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Moreover, AMD’s premium valuation requires the company to consistently deliver strong earnings growth to support further upside. But Micron can simply outperform through steady and sustainable earnings growth. Per the price/earnings ratio, MU trades at 13.16 forward earnings compared with AMD’s forward earnings multiple of 68.68.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Therefore, Micron remains a better buy now than AMD as it is more efficient in generating profits and trades at a more attractive valuation. Micron currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while AMD has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.

Zacks' Research Chief Names "Stock Most Likely to Double"

Our team of experts has just released the 5 stocks with the greatest probability of gaining +100% or more in the coming months. Of those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian highlights the one stock set to climb highest.

This top pick is a little-known satellite-based communications firm. Space is projected to become a trillion dollar industry, and this company's customer base is growing fast. Analysts have forecasted a major revenue breakout in 2025. Of course, all our elite picks aren't winners but this one could far surpass earlier Zacks' Stocks Set to Double like Hims & Hers Health, which shot up +209%.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research