ONE LEVEL DEEPER
MU
Warren Buffett frameworkThe Owner-OperatorBenjamin Graham frameworkThe Value ArchitectMichael Mauboussin frameworkThe Expectations EngineerHoward Marks frameworkThe Cycle WhispererPeter Lynch frameworkThe Everyday Edge

Fast grower with 85.5% revenue expansion trades at PEG of 0.10, yet insiders sold in 15 of 20 quarters.

cautiousBullishconviction

This framework sees a fast grower finally proving its worth with 85.5% growth and ROIC exceeding cost of capital, yet insiders sell while institutions buy—classic late-innings divergence.

THE LENSES
THE CLASSIFICATIONexplosive

What type of company is this, and what should we expect from it?

TTM revenue growth of 85.5% and Q1'26 growth of 74.9% YoY
Revenue exploded from $2.9B in Q2'23 to $23.9B in Q1'26
Operating margins reached 67.6% in Q1'26 from negative territory
DRAM segment drives 77.1% of revenue in memory-hungry AI era

This framework classifies Micron as a fast grower emerging from cyclical trough—Lynch's favorite hunting ground. The 85.5% growth puts it firmly in "10-to-40-bagger" territory, though the cyclical nature adds complexity that pure growth stories lack.

Revenue
THE GROWTH STORYcompelling

Can you explain in one sentence why this company grows?

"They make the memory chips that power AI and data centers"—simple story
DRAM products grew to 77.1% of revenue as AI demand exploded
Revenue grew from cyclical trough of $2.9B to $23.9B in 7 quarters
Geographic concentration shows 64.5% U.S. revenue, primarily data centers

The growth story passes Lynch's eleven-year-old test perfectly: AI needs memory, Micron makes memory, demand exploded. This framework loves simple stories backed by massive markets, and memory for AI infrastructure is as straightforward as it gets.

Revenue by Segment
THE PEG RATIObargain

Are you paying a fair price for the growth you're getting?

P/E ratio of 8.5x with 85.5% earnings growth yields PEG of 0.10
Even using forward estimates, PEG remains well below 1.0
Earnings yield of 2.9% versus 4.3% treasuries reflects cyclical discount
Market implies only 5% perpetual growth despite current explosion

A PEG of 0.10 screams opportunity in Lynch terms—you're paying 10 cents for each dollar of growth. The framework recognizes the cyclical discount but sees massive mispricing if even half the current growth sustains.

P/E Ratio
WHERE IN THE STORYmature

Are we early, middle, or late in this growth story?

Operating margins hit all-time high of 67.6% at 98th percentile
ROIC exceeded cost of capital for first time in 6 years
Revenue growth decelerating from peak but still 74.9% YoY
Insiders selling persistently—15 of last 20 quarters
Institutional ownership high at 78.4% and still accumulating

This framework sees middle-to-late innings: growth established, profitability proven, but insiders heading for exits while institutions still buying. The easy gains from trough to peak are captured—now comes the harder part of sustaining elevation.

Operating Margin
KEY NUMBERS
VERDICT

Applying this framework reveals a classic fast grower at an inflection point: spectacular 85.5% growth at a PEG of 0.10 meets persistent insider selling and peak margins. The simple story—"AI needs memory"—remains intact, but insiders voting with their wallets suggests the easy money has been made. Lynch would love the growth and valuation but worry about buying what insiders are selling. Is this a pause before the next leg up, or have those who know memory cycles best already seen the peak?

This analysis applies Peter Lynch's published investment framework to publicly available financial data. It is not authored by, endorsed by, or affiliated with Peter Lynch. Educational purposes only. Not financial advice.

OTHER PERSPECTIVES
Michael Mauboussin framework
The Expectations Engineer
Leaning Bullish
Benjamin Graham framework
The Value Architect
Leaning Bearish
Warren Buffett framework
The Owner-Operator
Bearish
Howard Marks framework
The Cycle Whisperer
Bearish
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