In this article, we will list the 5 Best AI Memory Stocks to Buy in 2026. Please visit 10 Best AI Memory Stocks to Buy in 2026 if you would like to see the extended list and the methodology behind it.
5. Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 123
Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) is one of the best AI memory stocks to buy in 2026. Cantor Fitzgerald lifted the price target on Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) to $425 from $320 on June 10 and maintained an Overweight rating on the shares, telling investors in a research note that the firm believes the semi equipment industry is in the “early innings of a multi-year supply-constrained and durable upcycle.” It added that the outlook has improved over the last three months, with bookings visibility now beginning to extend into 2028. Cantor also believes that the leading-edge foundry and logic is the primary wafer fab equipment growth driver, with the majority of new wafer start investments in 2026 and 2027 in AI-driven logic.
Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) also received a rating update from Oppenheimer on June 15, with the firm lifting the price target on the stock to $400 from $330 and reiterating an Outperform rating on the shares. The firm stated that its Lam bus tour meeting raised confidence that the AI-driven WFE upside remains and is not fully reflected in estimates.
Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) is involved in the design, manufacture, refurbishment, marketing, and provision of semiconductor processing equipment that is used in the fabrication of integrated circuits. The company’s operations are divided into the following geographical segments: the United States, China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan.
4. ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 133
ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) is one of the best AI memory stocks to buy in 2026. ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) received a rating update from JPMorgan on June 3. The firm raised the price target on the stock to EUR 1,900 from EUR 1,515 and maintained an Overweight rating on the shares. ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) also received a rating update from BofA on June 4, with the firm lifting the price target on the stock to EUR 1,921 from EUR 1,710 and maintaining a Buy rating on the shares following the company’s technology conference. The firm told investors in a research note that ASML Holding’s (NASDAQ:ASML) extreme ultraviolet lithography capacity could increase beyond 90 units by 2027 as it reduces lead times and finds assembly efficiencies. The firm also sees China’s demand recovering in 2027.
Separately, in its financial results for fiscal Q1 2026, ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) reported total net sales of €8.8 billion, gross margin of 53.0%, and net income of €2.8 billion. The company anticipates Q2 2026 total net sales to be between €8.4 billion and €9.0 billion, and a gross margin between 51% and 52%.
ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) is involved in the development, production, marketing, sales, upgrading, and servicing of advanced semiconductor equipment systems. It includes lithography, metrology, and inspection systems.
3. Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 138
Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT) is one of the best AI memory stocks to buy in 2026. Reuters reported on June 16 the signing of a long-term deal between EssilorLuxottica and Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT) for the development of augmented reality display technology and AI glasses. The companies reported that they would scale up the commercialisation of AI glasses, with the research and development focusing on advanced optical technologies.
In a separate development, Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT) received a rating update from Barclays on June 11. The firm lifted the price target on the stock to $590 from $500 and maintained an Overweight rating on the shares, telling investors in a research note that the firm raised its estimates for wafer fab equipment. It stated that the capex cycle is “much stronger across the board”, adding that over $200B in sales looks likely in 2027, but the “world has moved to 2028 already”.
Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT) provides materials engineering solutions used to produce semiconductors and also focuses on the design, production, development, and servicing of critical wafer fabrication tools used for customers for the manufacture of semiconductors. The company’s operations are divided into the following segments: Semiconductor Systems and Applied Global Services (AGS).
2. Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 154
Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) is one of the best AI memory stocks to buy in 2026. Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) announced on June 9 the appointment of Dr. Alexis Black Björlin to its board of directors. In a separate development, Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) received a rating update from RBC Capital on June 15. The firm lifted the price target on the stock to $1,200 from $525 and reiterated an Outperform rating on the shares.
It told investors in a research note that the firm raised its estimates on the stock to take into account its stronger pricing and volume assumptions. The firm added that the current DRAM upcycle is in its 12th quarter, and RBC Capital sees a credible path to another 5-6 quarters of expansion as capex trends and GenAI demand continue to be robust while the shift to inferencing/Agentic AI is driving secular growth in Memory content.
Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) provides innovative memory and storage solutions. Its operations are divided into the following segments: Compute and Networking Business Unit (CNBU), Mobile Business Unit (MBU), Embedded Business Unit (EBU), and Storage Business Unit (SBU).
1. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 275
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is one of the best AI memory stocks to buy in 2026. Reuters reported on June 17 that the United States government awarded $500 million on Wednesday to startup SandboxAQ, which is backed by NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA), for the development of new chemicals and materials for domestic semiconductor manufacturing. This includes alternatives to PFAS and rare earth imports, and the award is part of President Donald Trump’s move to allocate research funds under the CHIPS Act. Reuters also provided additional context, reporting that this effort previously funded a $150 million investment in new chip manufacturing tools and a $2 billion investment in quantum computing.
For reference, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) released financial results for fiscal Q1 2027 on May 20, reporting record revenue of $81.6 billion for the quarter, up 20% from the previous quarter and up 85% from a year ago. GAAP and non-GAAP gross margins were 74.9% and 75.0% for the quarter, respectively, while GAAP and non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $2.39 and $1.87, respectively.
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) designs and manufactures computer graphics processors, chipsets, and other multimedia software. It operates in the Compute & Networking and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) segments.
While we acknowledge the potential of NVDA to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than NVDA and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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