Sandisk stock is up over 100% in 2026; Is SNDK still a buy?

Core Viewpoint - Sandisk is emerging as a top-performing stock in 2025, with a year-to-date increase of over 100%, significantly outperforming larger competitors like Nvidia and Microsoft [1][3][4]. Group 1: Stock Performance - Sandisk's stock price has risen from $275.25 on January 2 to $501.29, marking a year-to-date increase of 105.15% [1][3]. - In comparison, Nvidia's stock is down 3% and Microsoft's is down 6% over the same period [3]. Group 2: Company Developments - The company's impressive growth is attributed to its separation from Western Digital in early 2025, which previously acquired Sandisk in 2016 [4]. - Following the spin-off, Sandisk has gained strong investor interest due to its products being utilized in consumer electronics and edge computing applications [4]. Group 3: Future Growth Potential - Management believes that data centers will be the next major long-term growth engine, with significant investments in AI infrastructure expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030 [5][6]. - Sandisk reported Q1 fiscal 2026 revenue of $2.3 billion, a 23% year-over-year increase, although net income was $112 million, down from $211 million a year earlier [7]. - The company is collaborating with five major hyperscale customers to enhance its data center presence, positioning itself to benefit from the growing demand for AI-driven storage solutions [8]. Group 4: Market Outlook - The upcoming earnings report scheduled for January 26 is anticipated to be a significant indicator of future performance, with potential to further boost the stock if results are strong [9].