Dell stock: why it's worth unloading heading into 2026

Core Viewpoint - Dell Technologies Inc is facing significant pressure as a senior Morgan Stanley analyst has double-downgraded the stock to "underweight," indicating potential downside risks ahead [4][7]. Financial Performance - The price objective for Dell has been trimmed to $110, suggesting an approximate 18% downside from its previous close [5]. - Dell's stock has already decreased by over 25% from its year-to-date high of around $167 earlier this month [5][7]. Market Conditions - Rising memory costs, particularly in DRAM and NAND, are expected to shrink Dell's margins moving forward [8]. - Historical patterns indicate that previous memory upcycles (2016 to 2018) led to a significant contraction in Dell's gross margins [9]. Technical Analysis - Dell shares have slipped below their 100-day moving average and are approaching the 200-day moving average at the $119 level, which could signal further downside if breached [11]. - The relative strength index (14-day) is under 30, indicating that bearish sentiment remains strong in the near term [12]. Seasonal Trends - Historically, Dell's stock has ended both December and January in the red over the past four years, suggesting limited near-term catalysts for a rebound [12][13]. Future Outlook - Despite recent long-term forecasts raised due to AI tailwinds, caution is advised until margin visibility improves and technical support stabilizes [14].