Which companies led AI stocks in 2026?

Micron Technology and Western Digital are the two stocks that surged over 180% in 2026.

What caused the rise of Micron and Western Digital?

The main reason is the growing demand for AI memory and storage, as AI applications require high capacity and fast storage.

Is NVIDIA still a good AI investment?

The report does not give a specific recommendation, but indicates that the AI sector is becoming more diversified, and opportunities may exist in infrastructure companies like Micron and Western Digital.

AI Stocks 2026: Micron and Western Digital Lead with 180% Gains

NVIDIA is no longer leading AI stocks in 2026. Instead, Micron and Western Digital have surged over 180% fueled by AI memory and storage demand, according to Zacks.

July 21, 2026

2 min read

Source: Zacks

Key Numbers

micron gain

180%

western digital gain

180%

According to a report from Zacks, NVIDIA is no longer the leading AI stock in 2026. While NVIDIA's rally has slowed, two other stocks have surged over 180%: Micron Technology and Western Digital.

Details

The report highlights that demand for AI memory and storage is the main driver behind this strong performance. As AI applications continue to grow, the need for high-capacity memory and fast storage increases, benefiting both Micron and Western Digital.

Context

NVIDIA, which was the undisputed leader in AI over the past years, has seen its upward momentum slow. In contrast, companies like AMD and TSMC have found opportunities in other sectors, but the current focus is on memory and storage companies.

What This Means for Investors

This shift indicates that the AI sector is becoming more diversified and no longer concentrated in a single company. Investors looking for AI opportunities may look beyond NVIDIA toward companies providing the necessary infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

NVIDIA's rally slowed in 2026, while Micron and Western Digital surged over 180% driven by AI memory and storage demand.

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This article was rewritten in Wrqti's editorial style based on information from the original source above. Content is informational only — not investment advice.