<div id="readability-page-1"><p>Shares of Micron (MU) surged toward a record close on Thursday morning. This stock rally began right after Apple (AAPL) chose to increase its phone prices to pay for more expensive parts. When a major phone manufacturer openly blames expensive memory parts for its price hikes, Wall Street investors quickly see how much influence memory makers hold.</p><h3>Claim 55% Off TipRanks</h3><ul><li> Unlock powerful  investing tools and data-driven insights with TipRanks Premium for more confident investment decisions.</li><li> Discover top stock picks and new investment opportunities through TipRanks' Smart Investor Newsletter.</li></ul> <p>The positive news helped Micron stock climb 4.4% to reach $1,089 just before the trading day officially opened. This quick jump puts Micron in a great position to break its previous all-time closing high from earlier in the week. So far this year, Micron has already notched 34 record closes due to an ongoing shortage of high-tech memory parts.</p> <h2><strong>Artificial Intelligence Drives Heavy Chip Demand</strong></h2> <p>A primary reason for this growth is the rapid expansion of automated software and smart tools. Technology firms are spending heavily to build large data hubs that can handle these heavy digital workloads. Because these modern computing systems require an incredible amount of storage, basic memory parts are becoming very hard to find.</p> <p>As a result of this squeeze, Wall Street is completely changing how it values hardware companies. Investors used to treat Micron with a lot of caution because the chip industry historically went through extreme ups and downs. Now, many analysts view Micron factories as essential building blocks for the future of tech.</p> <h2><strong>Apple CEO Tim Cook Confirms Higher Device Costs</strong></h2> <p>To deal with these climbing supplier bills, Apple executives chose to pass the extra costs directly down to consumers. Tim Cook noted in a recent interview that making Apple devices more expensive became totally unavoidable for the business. Apple tried to shield its buyers from these changes for a long time, but the current cost situation is simply not sustainable anymore.</p> <p>This public admission gives Micron a lot of leverage when bargaining with retail clients. Traders immediately poured more cash into the stock, driving Micron shares up by 267% over the course of the year. </p> <h2><strong>Is Micron a Good Long-Term Investment?</strong></h2> <p>On TipRanks, MU stock has a Strong Buy consensus rating based on 27 Buys and two Hold ratings. The average Micron price target of $1,154.07 implies 10.6% upside potential from current levels. Year-to-date, MU shares have surged 265.7%.</p></div>

AAPL

<p>Micron stock surged toward a record close, rising 4.4% to $1,089, after Apple raised phone prices due to expensive memory components. This highlights Micron's market leverage amid AI-driven chip demand and supply shortages. With 34 record closes this year and a Strong Buy consensus from analysts, Micron shares have gained over 265% year-to-date, reflecting investor confidence in the company's essential role in future tech infrastructure.</p>

- Micron's shares surged 4.4% toward a record close following Apple’s announcement of higher phone prices due to expensive memory parts.  
- The ongoing shortage of high-tech memory, driven by increased demand from AI and tech firms, is reshaping investor perceptions and valuing Micron as a crucial player in the tech industry.  
- Analysts project a price target of $1,154.07 for Micron, indicating a potential upside of 10.6% from current levels, supported by a Strong Buy consensus rating.

Micron Stock Roars Up as Apple Price Hikes Prove Hardware Is Undervalued