Inflation Drops to 2.7%, Providing Wall Street with Some Relief (UPDATED)
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 18 2025
0mins
Should l Buy MU?
Source: Benzinga
U.S. Inflation Update: Inflation in the U.S. cooled more than expected in November 2025, with the Consumer Price Index rising 2.7% year-over-year, down from 3% in September and below economists' expectations of 3.1%. Core inflation also decreased to 2.6%, the lowest since March 2021.
Market Reactions: Following the inflation report, U.S. stocks rallied, with S&P 500 futures up 1% and Nasdaq 100 futures up 1.8%. The U.S. dollar weakened, and Treasury yields fell, with the 10-year yield dropping to 4.11%.
Economic Outlook: The cooling inflation has strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve's easing cycle can continue into 2026, with bond markets pricing in a modest chance of a rate cut at the Fed's January meeting.
Sector Performance: The iShares Semiconductor ETF surged 3.7%, driven by positive earnings from Micron Technology, while Bitcoin rose 2.7% to nearly $89,000, reflecting a risk-on sentiment in the market.
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Analyst Views on MU
Wall Street analysts forecast MU stock price to fall
26 Analyst Rating
24 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 412.370
Low
235.00
Averages
336.12
High
500.00
Current: 412.370
Low
235.00
Averages
336.12
High
500.00
About MU
Micron Technology, Inc. provides memory and storage solutions. The Company delivers a portfolio of high-performance dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), NAND, and NOR memory and storage products through its Micron and Crucial brands. The Company's products enable advancing in artificial intelligence (AI) and compute-intensive applications. Its segments include Compute and Networking Business Unit (CNBU), Mobile Business Unit (MBU), Embedded Business Unit (EBU), and Storage Business Unit (SBU). CNBU segment includes memory products and solutions sold into the data center, PC, graphics, and networking markets. MBU segment includes memory and storage products sold into the smartphone and other mobile-device markets. EBU segment includes memory and storage products and solutions sold into the intelligent edge through the automotive, industrial, and consumer embedded markets. SBU segment includes SSDs and component-level storage solutions sold into the data center, PC, and consumer markets.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
AI Stocks Volatility and Investment Strategies
- Market Volatility: While many top AI stocks are declining, Micron Technology's stock has surged by 348% over the past year due to strong demand for data center memory chips, highlighting the rapid changes and investment opportunities in the AI sector.
- ETF Investment Advantage: The iShares Future AI and Tech ETF holds 49 leading AI stocks, aiming to provide investors with exposure to the entire AI value chain, thus reducing the risk of individual stock selection, making it suitable for long-term investors.
- Return Performance: The ETF achieved a 28.5% return over the last 12 months, nearly double that of the S&P 500, demonstrating its investment potential in the AI space, although its short-term performance may not reliably predict future results.
- Cost Structure: With an expense ratio of 0.47%, the iShares ETF is higher than passive index funds, but for investors, the annual fee is only $47, offering a relatively cost-effective investment option.
See More
Nvidia Stock Rating Upgraded to Buy Following Strong Quarter
- Market Reaction Discrepancy: Despite Nvidia's strong quarterly results and guidance, the stock fell over 9% on Thursday and Friday, which does not align with the robust demand for its AI computing platform discussed during the earnings call, indicating market confusion regarding future growth.
- Increased Valuation Appeal: Nvidia's forward price-to-earnings ratio has dropped from the mid-30s in August to 22 times, marking the lowest level since last April's tariff announcement, suggesting that the current stock price is more attractive amid surging AI spending, potentially drawing more investor interest.
- Analysts Optimistic on Future: Morgan Stanley has reinstated Nvidia as their top pick, replacing Micron, which surged due to AI-related memory price increases; analysts noted that while Nvidia's stock has stagnated over the past two quarters, its business has continued to strengthen, with expectations of a shift towards optimism for 2027 in the coming months.
- New Chip Development: Nvidia is designing a new chip focused on inference for everyday AI model usage, leveraging technology from Groq, an AI startup with which it signed a $20 billion non-exclusive licensing agreement, aiming to enhance AI infrastructure performance and value to counter competition from larger data center operators.
See More
Iran War Drives Market Volatility and Sector Performance
- Market Reaction: Stocks initially retreated following the US and Israel's joint military actions against Iran, but rebounded after the February ISM manufacturing index exceeded expectations, indicating investor focus on economic data.
- Surge in Energy Prices: The halt of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz due to Iran's attacks on three oil tankers led to WTI crude oil prices soaring over 65% to an 8.25-month high, potentially exacerbating global inflationary pressures.
- Defense Stocks Rise: The ongoing conflict in Iran has bolstered earnings prospects for defense companies, with Aerovironment's stock rising over 12%, while Northrop Grumman and RTX Corp also saw increases of over 4%, reflecting market optimism about defense spending.
- Economic Data Focus: Investors are keenly awaiting upcoming economic data releases, including ADP employment changes and the ISM services index, which are expected to influence future monetary policy directions amid rising inflation concerns.
See More
Market Recap: Oil Prices Surge, CrowdStrike Upgraded
- Market Volatility: The S&P 500 fell on Monday but briefly rebounded after the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran, causing oil prices to spike; WTI crude prices, while off their highs, indicate a defensive market stance.
- CrowdStrike Upgrade: Piper Sandler upgraded CrowdStrike from hold to buy with a $520 price target, arguing that the nearly 19% year-to-date pullback is excessive, and sees AI as an opportunity rather than a threat, boosting market confidence.
- Nvidia Strategic Investments: Nvidia shares rose over 3% after being named a top pick by Morgan Stanley, with analysts noting that despite stagnant stock performance in the last two quarters, business has strengthened; the company announced $2 billion investments in both Coherent and Lumentum, highlighting its strategic focus in optics technology.
- Investor Recommendations: Jim Cramer advised investors without Nvidia positions to buy the stock, asserting that its current depressed price won't last long, even as Monday's gains still left shares lower year-to-date.
See More
Morgan Stanley Sees Attractive Entry Point for Nvidia Investment
- Investment Timing Analysis: Morgan Stanley believes Nvidia's current stock price of $177.19 presents a 47% upside potential with a price target of $260, reflecting strong confidence in the company's dominant position in the AI chip market.
- Market Performance Assessment: Despite a 45% increase in Nvidia's stock over the past year, a 3% decline in 2026 raises concerns; however, the current P/E ratio of 18 indicates a 'surprisingly good entry point' for investors.
- Demand Sustainability Expectations: Analysts note that while market share may dip this year, robust demand for Nvidia's Rubin product, set to ship in the second half of the year, is expected to drive growth, with increasing enthusiasm for 2027.
- Supply Chain Improvement Outlook: Morgan Stanley suggests that easing supply constraints on AI processors in the coming months could lead to a reacceleration of market share, further solidifying Nvidia's competitive edge.
See More
Global Market Turmoil and Oil Price Surge
- Market Reaction: Dow futures are down about 500 points and Brent crude oil prices have surged over 8% following the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, indicating limited market tolerance for a short war, while a prolonged conflict could lead to soaring oil prices and broader economic impacts.
- Iran Situation: The assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has led to a negative market response, with concerns that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard will remain in power, suggesting that international conflict may not ease, thereby increasing market uncertainty.
- Energy Stock Dynamics: Citigroup raised price targets for several energy companies, including Chevron and Exxon, reflecting market fears of supply disruptions as tankers are rerouted to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, which could lead to sustained supply issues.
- Tech Stock Outlook: Nvidia plans to unveil a new inference processor aimed at enhancing AI system efficiency, and despite concerns over AI disruption, analysts remain bullish on its semiconductor performance, with Morgan Stanley again naming it a top pick, replacing Micron.
See More
AI Stocks Volatility and Investment Strategies
- Market Volatility: While many top AI stocks are declining, Micron Technology's stock has surged by 348% over the past year due to strong demand for data center memory chips, highlighting the rapid changes and investment opportunities in the AI sector.
- ETF Investment Advantage: The iShares Future AI and Tech ETF holds 49 leading AI stocks, aiming to provide investors with exposure to the entire AI value chain, thus reducing the risk of individual stock selection, making it suitable for long-term investors.
- Return Performance: The ETF achieved a 28.5% return over the last 12 months, nearly double that of the S&P 500, demonstrating its investment potential in the AI space, although its short-term performance may not reliably predict future results.
- Cost Structure: With an expense ratio of 0.47%, the iShares ETF is higher than passive index funds, but for investors, the annual fee is only $47, offering a relatively cost-effective investment option.
See More
Nvidia Stock Rating Upgraded to Buy Following Strong Quarter
- Market Reaction Discrepancy: Despite Nvidia's strong quarterly results and guidance, the stock fell over 9% on Thursday and Friday, which does not align with the robust demand for its AI computing platform discussed during the earnings call, indicating market confusion regarding future growth.
- Increased Valuation Appeal: Nvidia's forward price-to-earnings ratio has dropped from the mid-30s in August to 22 times, marking the lowest level since last April's tariff announcement, suggesting that the current stock price is more attractive amid surging AI spending, potentially drawing more investor interest.
- Analysts Optimistic on Future: Morgan Stanley has reinstated Nvidia as their top pick, replacing Micron, which surged due to AI-related memory price increases; analysts noted that while Nvidia's stock has stagnated over the past two quarters, its business has continued to strengthen, with expectations of a shift towards optimism for 2027 in the coming months.
- New Chip Development: Nvidia is designing a new chip focused on inference for everyday AI model usage, leveraging technology from Groq, an AI startup with which it signed a $20 billion non-exclusive licensing agreement, aiming to enhance AI infrastructure performance and value to counter competition from larger data center operators.
See More
Iran War Drives Market Volatility and Sector Performance
- Market Reaction: Stocks initially retreated following the US and Israel's joint military actions against Iran, but rebounded after the February ISM manufacturing index exceeded expectations, indicating investor focus on economic data.
- Surge in Energy Prices: The halt of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz due to Iran's attacks on three oil tankers led to WTI crude oil prices soaring over 65% to an 8.25-month high, potentially exacerbating global inflationary pressures.
- Defense Stocks Rise: The ongoing conflict in Iran has bolstered earnings prospects for defense companies, with Aerovironment's stock rising over 12%, while Northrop Grumman and RTX Corp also saw increases of over 4%, reflecting market optimism about defense spending.
- Economic Data Focus: Investors are keenly awaiting upcoming economic data releases, including ADP employment changes and the ISM services index, which are expected to influence future monetary policy directions amid rising inflation concerns.
See More
Market Recap: Oil Prices Surge, CrowdStrike Upgraded
- Market Volatility: The S&P 500 fell on Monday but briefly rebounded after the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran, causing oil prices to spike; WTI crude prices, while off their highs, indicate a defensive market stance.
- CrowdStrike Upgrade: Piper Sandler upgraded CrowdStrike from hold to buy with a $520 price target, arguing that the nearly 19% year-to-date pullback is excessive, and sees AI as an opportunity rather than a threat, boosting market confidence.
- Nvidia Strategic Investments: Nvidia shares rose over 3% after being named a top pick by Morgan Stanley, with analysts noting that despite stagnant stock performance in the last two quarters, business has strengthened; the company announced $2 billion investments in both Coherent and Lumentum, highlighting its strategic focus in optics technology.
- Investor Recommendations: Jim Cramer advised investors without Nvidia positions to buy the stock, asserting that its current depressed price won't last long, even as Monday's gains still left shares lower year-to-date.
See More
Morgan Stanley Sees Attractive Entry Point for Nvidia Investment
- Investment Timing Analysis: Morgan Stanley believes Nvidia's current stock price of $177.19 presents a 47% upside potential with a price target of $260, reflecting strong confidence in the company's dominant position in the AI chip market.
- Market Performance Assessment: Despite a 45% increase in Nvidia's stock over the past year, a 3% decline in 2026 raises concerns; however, the current P/E ratio of 18 indicates a 'surprisingly good entry point' for investors.
- Demand Sustainability Expectations: Analysts note that while market share may dip this year, robust demand for Nvidia's Rubin product, set to ship in the second half of the year, is expected to drive growth, with increasing enthusiasm for 2027.
- Supply Chain Improvement Outlook: Morgan Stanley suggests that easing supply constraints on AI processors in the coming months could lead to a reacceleration of market share, further solidifying Nvidia's competitive edge.
See More
Global Market Turmoil and Oil Price Surge
- Market Reaction: Dow futures are down about 500 points and Brent crude oil prices have surged over 8% following the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran, indicating limited market tolerance for a short war, while a prolonged conflict could lead to soaring oil prices and broader economic impacts.
- Iran Situation: The assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has led to a negative market response, with concerns that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard will remain in power, suggesting that international conflict may not ease, thereby increasing market uncertainty.
- Energy Stock Dynamics: Citigroup raised price targets for several energy companies, including Chevron and Exxon, reflecting market fears of supply disruptions as tankers are rerouted to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, which could lead to sustained supply issues.
- Tech Stock Outlook: Nvidia plans to unveil a new inference processor aimed at enhancing AI system efficiency, and despite concerns over AI disruption, analysts remain bullish on its semiconductor performance, with Morgan Stanley again naming it a top pick, replacing Micron.
See More
