Artificial intelligence (AI) has undoubtedly been the biggest theme in the stock market over the past few years, with many AI-focused companies delivering spectacular gains. But as the sector matures, investors are beginning to look beyond industry giants like Nvidia Corporation (NVDA) and explore other parts of the AI supply chain that stand to benefit from the next phase of growth. One of the biggest winners from this shift has been Micron Technology (MU), which has enjoyed a stellar rally during the first half of 2026, outperforming many other AI-related stocks that have struggled to maintain their momentum.
The company's strong performance has been fueled by booming demand for its memory and storage chips, which are essential for AI workloads and data centers. At the same time, tight supply has pushed memory prices higher, creating an ideal environment for Micron. Now, the company is back in the spotlight after announcing an investment in Taiwanese wafer manufacturer GlobalWafers to help finance its new wafer fabrication facility in Sherman, Texas. The move is part of Micron's broader strategy to strengthen the United States semiconductor supply chain while supporting its long-term manufacturing expansion.