Shares of Super Micro Computer Inc SMCI plunged close to 12% Friday after gaining in premarket trading on Friday, positioning the server manufacturer for its most decisive week ever amidst a record-breaking year fueled by its prominence in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector.
The stock’s premarket increase of 5.6% follows a remarkable 36% weekly gain, marking its most significant one-week percentage rise on record.
A positive close on Friday would extend its winning streak to 10 sessions, the longest in nearly a decade.
Super Micro has attracted investor interest, with the stock rising in 18 of the last 20 sessions and achieving a more than 250% increase this year, following a 246% gain in 2023, the Financial Times reports.
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Also Read: Super Micro Computer Reports Q2 Financials, Raises 2024 FY Guidance: Over 100% YOY Sales Increase
This surge reflects robust demand for its servers, which is crucial for AI applications. Bank of America recently initiated coverage with a buy rating and a Street-high price target, forecasting a 50% average compound annual growth rate in the AI server market over the next three years, with Super Micro positioned as a key beneficiary.
Wall Street’s expectations for Super Micro have surged, with a 52% rise in the consensus for the company’s net 2025 earnings and a similar increase in revenue projections, as per Bloomberg data.
This optimism has elevated the company’s stock valuation and driven its relative strength index to 97, indicating it may be overbought, according to some analysts.
Wells Fargo Securities recently began covering the stock with an equal-weight rating, suggesting that the current share price may already reflect the anticipated growth.
However, analyst Aaron Rakers noted the company’s remarkable momentum in AI, driven by its focus on engineering, could justify a reevaluation of its valuation.
The company’s impressive performance came to the forefront in January when preliminary quarterly results significantly surpassed expectations, leading to an upgraded revenue forecast.
This positive momentum has led to a substantial revision in analysts’ expectations for Super Micro’s future earnings and revenue, despite some analysts cautioning about the stock’s rapid ascent.
Super Micro’s market valuation has soared to over $56 billion, surpassing established semiconductor companies and dominating the S&P Midcap 400 Index as its best performer.
Despite its significant growth, Super Micro’s valuation remains relatively modest compared to other AI-focused companies, trading at 39 times estimated earnings.
Price Action: SMCI shares traded lower by 11.20% at $891.78 on the last check Friday.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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