Is Micron Stock Poised To Make New Lows On Changes To DRAM Chip Outlook?

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A rally in shares of Micron (NASDAQ:MU) came to a screeching halt last Wednesday after a niche equities research firm cut their numbers for fiscal 2019. MU stock fell 4.6% on the report.

Is Micron Stock Poised To Make New Lows On Changes To DRAM Chip Outlook?

We’ll take a closer look at the charts for MU stock in a moment, but on the plus side, shares were able recover a bit and close above the 50-day moving average after opening below this mark on Friday. This showed that bulls still have some control, even if they’re fumbling the ball a bit.

What’s the main issue with Micron stock? It’s that seemingly most investors “have one foot out the door.” It’s not unlike Ford (NYSE:F) or General Motors (NYSE:GM) and the rationale is simple: These companies operate in boom-and-bust environments.

Micron, Ford and GM do great when their markets are doing great. But when the economy grinds to a halt, the car makers really feel the pinch, just like when memory pricing power erodes for Micron. As such, many investors are a fickle bunch — they are long the name but willing to sell on the first sign that the tides are turning from boom to bust. It’s one reason why these stocks have such incredibly low valuations.

Evaluating Micron Stock

When MU stock fell from ~$40 to $37.50 last week (the first test of the 50-day), it came following an analyst warning. Specifically, Cleveland Research’s Chandler Converse said DRAM pricing would likely hurt the company’s full-year revenue. As such, the firm slashed its estimates from $25.5 billion to $24 billion. Weak demand, increased competition and higher inventories are the culprits. This also hit Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) and Western Digital (NASDAQ:WDC).

DRAM made up 68% of Micron’s total revenue in the most recent quarter. Management also told investors on the conference call that pricing will be under pressure in the current second quarter.

President and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said:

“DRAM demand weakened through the course of our fiscal first quarter. Since the start of this fiscal second quarter, the weakening demand trend has continued and our near-term visibility is limited.”

As such, Q2 guidance came in way below expectations, in a range from $5.7 billion to $6.3 billion, below consensus estimates of $7.18 billion. Earnings guidance also came up way short.

However, there was a bit of optimism on the call as well. Management said, “our cost reductions in DRAM and NAND have meaningfully outpaced the industry over the last three years” and that 2019 should experience “healthy year-over-year cost declines in DRAM and NAND.”

All of this took place back in December when MU last reported earnings. At a conference last month though, management expressed confidence in the second half, saying demand for DRAM remains healthy but the company is still working through inventory. Even with consensus expectations calling for a 38% decline in full-year earnings, MU stock trades at just 5.7 times this year’s earnings.

Trading MU Stock Price

chart of MU stock price
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Source: Chart courtesy of StockCharts.com

MU stock price did a good job on Friday of reversing higher after opening below the 50-day. But it still has work to do. My fear now would be the Micron stock price stalling below $42, thus cementing in a lower high, a bearish technical development. With the 100-day looming at $40 and this level serving as the most recent breakdown point, that could be a reasonable area for shares to stall.

Let’s try not to get “too cute” with the trade though. While that may happen, the specifics don’t really matter. What matters is which way MU breaks. If the stock stalls and breaks back below the 50-day level, then $34 could be on the table. Bulls will want to see a push above $40 and the 100-day, and retest of prior uptrend support. This could push Micron stock to the $44-$45 area.

Keep in mind, MU stock reports earnings on March 20.

Although MU stock hasn’t been a great earnings performer as of late, investors have already digested a lot of bad news — disappointing results in December and poor guidance — and have rallied since. A strong outlook will go a long way into helping this name.

Bret Kenwell is the manager and author of Future Blue Chips and is on Twitter @BretKenwell. As of this writing, Bret Kenwell did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.

Bret Kenwell is the manager and author of Future Blue Chips and is on Twitter @BretKenwell.


Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2019/03/is-mu-stock-poised-to-make-new-lows/.

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