Micron stops selling memory to consumers as demand spikes from AI chips

Core Viewpoint - Micron plans to exit the consumer memory market to focus on high-powered AI chip demand, driven by a surge in data center requirements for memory and storage [1] Group 1: Company Strategy - Micron's decision to stop selling memory to consumers aims to improve supply for larger strategic customers in faster-growing segments [1] - The company intends to reduce the impact on employees through redeployment opportunities within existing positions [6] Group 2: Market Context - The AI infrastructure boom is creating a global shortage of memory, as companies invest hundreds of billions in building massive data centers [1] - Micron's Crucial brand previously sold memory for personal computers and laptops, competing with SK Hynix and Samsung, with Micron being the only U.S.-based supplier [3] Group 3: Financial Performance - Micron's shares have increased by approximately 175% this year, although they experienced a 3% decline to $232.25 on Wednesday [2] - The cloud memory business unit showed a significant growth of 213% year-over-year in the most recent quarter [4] - Analysts at Goldman Sachs raised their price target for Micron's stock to $205 from $180, citing continued pricing momentum in memory [5]