Best AI Stocks to Buy and Hold: Micron and Arista Networks
ZACKS·2026-01-20 13:00

Group 1: AI Market Outlook - Artificial intelligence stocks are expected to have a strong performance in 2026, driven by increased capital expenditures and earnings growth [1][3] - Taiwan Semiconductor's Q4 report has reinforced the bullish sentiment for AI stocks, with a significant increase in capex guidance to $52 billion to $56 billion for 2026 [4] - AI hyperscalers are projected to spend approximately $530 billion in capex in 2026, up from around $400 billion in 2025, indicating a robust growth trajectory for the AI sector [7] Group 2: Micron Technology - Micron Technology is identified as a leading memory chip manufacturer with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), projected to see a 95% revenue increase in FY26 [6][9] - The company expects to grow its revenue from $37.38 billion in FY25 to $90 billion in FY27, following a consistent growth trend of approximately 50% in previous years [11] - Micron's GAAP EPS grew by 1,016% in FY25, and its FY26 consensus estimates have increased by 92% over the last 60 days, indicating strong market confidence [12] Group 3: Arista Networks - Arista Networks, with a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), is recognized for its role in AI data center networking, serving major clients like Microsoft and Meta [2][19] - The company has experienced significant revenue growth, from $361 million in 2013 to $7 billion in 2024, with projections of 27% growth in FY25 and 21% in FY26 [24] - Arista's stock has increased by 3,100% over the past decade, outperforming the tech sector, and is currently trading about 20% below its October 2025 peaks, presenting a potential buying opportunity [28][30]