Western Digital (NASDAQ: WDC) stock surged 15.8% today after CNBC reported that computer memory chip prices, particularly for DRAM, are set to rise further in 2026 due to AI demand. While Western Digital does not produce DRAM, investors are betting that increasing DRAM prices could lead AI companies to seek cheaper alternatives like HDDs, benefiting Western Digital. Despite the surge, the author suggests Micron (NASDAQ: MU) presents a more compelling bargain due to its higher projected earnings growth rate.

InterDigital (IDCC) shares fell about 7.3% following news of an officer's proposed sale of 1,000 shares and ongoing legal battles, specifically a patent dispute with Amazon. The company's business relies heavily on patent licensing, making court rulings and policy shifts critical. Investors are closely watching the Amazon patent dispute, the upcoming dividend record date, and early-February earnings.

Synopsys CEO Sassine Ghazi discussed the significant role of A.I.-driven automation in shaping the future of autonomous vehicles and fostering innovation. He shared his insights during an appearance on ‘The Claman Countdown.’ This discussion highlights the intersection of advanced technology and automotive development, emphasizing how AI can drive progress in complex systems like self-driving cars.

Nio's CEO, William Li, has warned of "significant" cost pressures in 2026 due to surging memory chip prices, which are impacting the entire automotive sector. These chips are crucial for Nio's own Shenji chips, as well as Nvidia and cockpit chips used in its vehicles, with demand from AI players and computing centers driving up costs. Despite the rising expenses, Nio currently has no plans to pass these costs on to vehicle prices, affirming its ability to manage the situation through its gross margin.

Shares of several semiconductor companies, including Analog Devices, Applied Materials, KLA Corporation, Monolithic Power Systems, and onsemi, surged in the afternoon session amidst a broader market rally driven by optimism in artificial intelligence and big tech stocks. This upward movement was further supported by hopes for easier monetary policy from the Federal Reserve. Analog Devices, in particular, reached a new 52-week high, continuing a strong performance since the beginning of the year.

Several semiconductor stocks, including Microchip Technology, NXP Semiconductors, Texas Instruments, Western Digital, and Allegro MicroSystems, saw significant gains following a broader market rally. Investor optimism was driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and big tech, coupled with hopes for easier monetary policy. Western Digital notably jumped 16.8%, hitting a new 52-week high, largely due to increased demand for data storage for AI and its strategic focus on cloud providers.

A broader market rally, driven by investor optimism in artificial intelligence and big tech, led to significant jumps in several semiconductor stocks. Microchip Technology, NXP Semiconductors, Texas Instruments, Western Digital, and Allegro MicroSystems all saw substantial gains. Western Digital, in particular, benefited from soaring AI-driven data storage demand, reaching a new 52-week high.

New court documents filed in a lawsuit against BlackBerry Ltd. allege at least three women were fired after reporting a "toxic" and "boys' club" culture within the company. Former BlackBerry CMO Neelam Sandhu initiated the lawsuit, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation by CEO John Giamatteo. The court filings suggest a pattern of women being terminated after raising complaints, while accused men faced no repercussions.

Shares of data-center cooling system manufacturers plummeted after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang suggested that next-generation Rubin chips might not require traditional water chillers, raising concerns about future demand. Companies like Johnson Controls and Modine saw significant drops, although some analysts believe the selloff is "overdone" given the companies' relationships with chipmakers and their capacity for evolving technology. Conversely, data-storage stocks, such as Sandisk Corp., surged following Huang's emphasis on the need for memory and storage in AI.

PACCAR Inc. is transforming itself from a traditional truck manufacturer into a leader in connected, electric, and autonomous heavy-duty vehicles. By integrating proprietary hardware with advanced software and services, PACCAR is optimizing uptime and total cost of ownership for fleets. This strategic shift is reflected in its market position and valuation, positioning the company as an industrial-technology hybrid rather than just a truck maker.