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Hard-disk drives have stepped out of the shadows and into the spotlight as artificial intelligence (AI) is pushing data demand into overdrive. Prices have firmed, orders keep piling up, and supply now walks a tightrope. Yet Morgan Stanley (MS) analyst Erik Woodring believes the market still underestimates the real muscle behind names like Seagate Technology Holdings plc (STX) and Western Digital Corporation (WDC).
Woodring sees the runway extending further than most expect. He projects steady hard disk drive (HDD) demand with potential shortages lingering through 2028, backed by relentless hyperscale spending and clearer customer visibility. Pricing, too, looks set to hold firm into 2027.