Shares of SanDisk Corp have surged to record highs, extending a remarkable rally driven by investor enthusiasm for artificial intelligence-linked memory demand.
The stock closed last week near $990 and continued its upward momentum on Monday, rising more than 7% in trading.
Over the past 12 months, SanDisk has delivered an extraordinary gain of nearly 3,190%, underscoring the scale of investor interest in AI infrastructure plays.
The latest leg higher comes as the broader tech sector remains buoyant, with the Nasdaq-100 hitting fresh highs and reinforcing a risk-on backdrop that has favored semiconductor and storage companies.
AI demand drives bullish outlook
SanDisk’s rally has been fueled by growing expectations that AI-driven demand for memory and storage will remain strong for years.
The company, a major supplier of NAND flash memory, is seen as a key beneficiary of the rapid expansion in data centers and AI workloads.
Melius Research initiated coverage of SanDisk with a Buy rating and a $1,350 price target, implying further upside from current levels.
The firm believes the AI boom could sustain strong memory demand “through the end of the decade.”
“It is time to acknowledge memory is core to our AI coverage, fitting well with AI semis, AI hardware, and hyperscalers,” wrote Melius analyst Ben Reitzes.
The firm also highlighted that memory demand is becoming increasingly critical to AI development. “Memory demand compounds exponentially,” Reitzes wrote. “So, while you need more memory, the math on memory is so unforgiving – you must assume that prices keep increasing if AI keeps going.”
SanDisk’s performance has tracked a broader trend across AI-linked memory stocks, including Micron Technology, as investors bet on tightening supply and rising pricing power.
Valuation debate and cyclical concerns
Despite the sharp rally, SanDisk’s valuation remains relatively modest compared to the broader semiconductor sector.
The stock trades at under 25 times earnings, while traditional memory names have historically been viewed as cyclical.
Investors remain cautious about whether the current upcycle can be sustained.
The semiconductor industry has long been characterized by boom-and-bust cycles, with periods of strong demand followed by oversupply and falling prices.
Melius argues that this cycle may be different, pointing to structural changes in demand driven by AI and the shift toward longer-term supply agreements.
Historically, memory suppliers relied heavily on spot buying, but the emergence of hyperscaler demand could provide more stable revenue visibility.
Still, some forecasts suggest earnings growth may moderate over time.
Analysts expect SanDisk to generate strong profits in the near term, with earnings projected to rise significantly before easing in later years, reflecting the industry’s traditional cyclicality.
Momentum builds ahead of earnings
SanDisk’s stock continues to show strong technical momentum, trading near the top of its 52-week range and well above key moving averages.
The stock is significantly above its 20-day and 100-day averages, indicating sustained buying pressure.
The rally has also been supported by broader themes such as the data center boom.
Increasing demand for enterprise storage infrastructure, driven by AI workloads, has reinforced bullish sentiment around the company’s long-term growth prospects.
At the same time, the stock remains sensitive to macroeconomic shifts.
Periods of risk-off sentiment, such as spikes in oil prices, have occasionally weighed on high-growth technology names, including memory stocks.
SanDisk is set to report earnings later this week, with analysts expecting strong results.
Estimates point to significant year-over-year growth in both revenue and earnings, reflecting the ongoing strength in AI-driven demand.
SanDisk recently got inducted into the Nasdaq 100, which also attracted flows.
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