Is Micron Technology Stock Built to Withstand More Downside?
Micron Technology (MU) stock is down 9.5% in a day. The recent slide reflects renewed concerns around memory chip supply chains and AMD’s China sales jitters, but sharp drops like this often raise a tougher question: is the weakness temporary, or a sign of deeper cracks in the story?
Before judging its downturn resilience, let’s look at where Micron Technology stands today.
- Size: Micron Technology is a $427 Bil company with $42 Bil in revenue currently trading at $379.40.
- Fundamentals: Last 12 month revenue growth of 45.4% and operating margin of 32.5%.
- Liquidity: Has Debt to Equity ratio of 0.03 and Cash to Assets ratio of 0.12
- Valuation: Micron Technology stock is currently trading at P/E multiple of 35.8 and P/EBIT multiple of 30.5
- Has returned (median) 23.6% within a year following sharp dips since 2010. See MU Dip Buy Analysis.
These metrics point to a Strong operational performance, alongside Very High valuation – making the stock Relatively Expensive. For details, see Buy or Sell MU Stock
That brings us to the key consideration for investors worried about this fall: how resilient is MU stock if markets turn south? This is where our downturn resilience framework comes in. Suppose MU stock falls another 20-30% to $266 – can investors comfortably hold on? Turns out, the stock has fared much worse than the S&P 500 index during various economic downturns, based on (a) how much the stock fell and, (b) how quickly it recovered. Below, we dive deeper into each such downturn.
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2022 Inflation Shock
- MU stock fell 49.8% from a high of $97.36 on 14 January 2022 to $48.88 on 26 September 2022 vs. a peak-to-trough decline of 25.4% for the S&P 500.
- However, the stock fully recovered to its pre-Crisis peak by 7 March 2024
- Since then, the stock increased to a high of $437.80 on 2 February 2026 , and currently trades at $379.40
| MU | S&P 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| % Change from Pre-Recession Peak | -49.8% | -25.4% |
| Time to Full Recovery | 528 days | 464 days |
2020 Covid Pandemic
- MU stock fell 42.5% from a high of $59.99 on 19 February 2020 to $34.47 on 16 March 2020 vs. a peak-to-trough decline of 33.9% for the S&P 500.
- However, the stock fully recovered to its pre-Crisis peak by 16 November 2020
| MU | S&P 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| % Change from Pre-Recession Peak | -42.5% | -33.9% |
| Time to Full Recovery | 245 days | 148 days |
2018 Correction
- MU stock fell 53.7% from a high of $62.62 on 29 May 2018 to $29.02 on 24 December 2018 vs. a peak-to-trough decline of 19.8% for the S&P 500.
- However, the stock fully recovered to its pre-Crisis peak by 23 November 2020
| MU | S&P 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| % Change from Pre-Recession Peak | -53.7% | -19.8% |
| Time to Full Recovery | 700 days | 120 days |
2008 Global Financial Crisis
- MU stock fell 88.1% from a high of $14.23 on 12 January 2007 to $1.69 on 20 November 2008 vs. a peak-to-trough decline of 56.8% for the S&P 500.
- However, the stock fully recovered to its pre-Crisis peak by 27 June 2013
| MU | S&P 500 | |
|---|---|---|
| % Change from Pre-Recession Peak | -88.1% | -56.8% |
| Time to Full Recovery | 1,680 days | 1,480 days |
Feeling jittery about MU stock? Consider a portfolio approach.
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