SpaceX, Micron, AMD Among Five Stocks Drawing Retail Buzz This Week

Retail investors were buzzing about five popular stocks on X and Reddit's r/WallStreetBets this week, driven by retail hype, earnings, AI infrastructure momentum, and corporate news flow.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Micron Technology Inc., Applied Digital Corp., Advanced Micro Devices Inc., and AST SpaceMobile Inc., spanning aerospace/space technology, semiconductor memory, digital infrastructure/AI data centers, high-performance computing/semiconductors, and satellite telecommunications sectors, reflect strong retail interest.

SpaceX

SPCX drew attention this week after the U.S. Federal Communications Commission approved SpaceX's next-generation non-geostationary orbit mobile satellite system for direct-to-device services on October 6, reinforcing its push in satellite connectivity. On October 8, Grain Management agreed to sell a nationwide 800 MHz spectrum portfolio to SpaceX, with deal terms undisclosed. The company also plans a Falcon 9 launch for the USSF-481 mission on October 15, while a SpaceX crew capsule returned from the International Space Station. Separately, Susquehanna maintained a Neutral rating on October 7 and raised its price target to $173.

Some retail traders noted that SPCX's acquisition of Grain Management's low-band spectrum portfolio puts it in direct competition with AST SpaceMobile.

As of this writing, the stock's trading range since listing is $104.83 to $225.64, with shares trading around $159 to $167. It is up 7.05% since June 2026 and up 4.63% over the past month. Edge stock rankings show SPCX exhibiting strong price trends across short, long, and medium terms.

Micron Technology

MU remained in focus this week, with attention on bullish AI memory forecasts, legal developments, and sector volatility. On October 6, JPMorgan said Micron's AI memory boom could generate $100 billion in cash proceeds, while Micron and Netlist agreed to settle pending litigation, with Micron paying $30 million per quarter from Q4 2026 through Q3 2031. On October 7, DA Davidson maintained a Buy rating and raised its price target to $3,000, despite Micron moving lower amid a broader chip sector pullback and a Taiwanese union strike authorization vote. On October 8, Bank of America said memory chip sales could surpass $2 trillion by 2030, with MU subsequently falling alongside SK Hynix and SanDisk in a memory stock selloff. On October 9, market commentary remained bullish, with analysts arguing Wall Street still undervalues Micron, and Ross Gerber predicting a massive share buyback after December restrictions expire.

Retail investors are highly bullish on MU stock.

- The stock's 52-week trading range is $179.61 to $1,255.00, with shares trading around $1,034 to $1,054 as of this writing. It is up 427.04% over the past year and up 154.68% over the past six months. The stock is up 262.93% year-to-date. Edge stock rankings show MU maintaining strong price trends across short, medium, and long terms, with a good quality score.

Applied Digital

APLD drew attention this week after the company announced its first development opportunity outside the U.S. on October 6, securing access to up to 1 gigawatt of potential power capacity in Finland. The company then reported fiscal first-quarter results on October 7, with a loss of 1 cent per share versus expectations of a 29-cent loss, prompting multiple analyst rating updates. On October 8, Wells Fargo maintained an Overweight rating and raised its price target to $55, Freedom Capital maintained a Buy rating and $48 price target, while Needham maintained a Buy rating but cut its price target to $70. Later that day, reports emerged that OpenAI's annualized revenue is roughly $20 billion lower than previously disclosed levels, raising concerns about demand for outsourced AI computing power, pressuring APLD and other AI cloud-related stocks.

Some retail investors recommend APLD as a profitable short-squeeze candidate.

The stock's 52-week trading range is $19.00 to $50.72, with shares trading around $22 to $25 as of this writing. It is down 14.64% over the past year and down 14.81% over the past six months. The stock is down 2.73% year-to-date.

According to Edge stock rankings, APLD maintains weak price trends across long, medium, and short terms.

Advanced Micro Devices

AMD drew attention this week against a backdrop of bullish analyst actions, broader AI spending debates, and sector volatility. On October 5, Stifel maintained a Buy rating and raised its price target to $700. On October 6, Citigroup maintained a Buy rating and raised its price target to $800, while Mizuho maintained an Outperform rating and raised its price target to $705. AMD also featured in discussions about the sustainability of massive AI infrastructure spending, with investors weighing whether long-term debt is being used to finance rapidly depreciating AI hardware. By October 8-9, sentiment toward AI-related stocks turned more cautious following reports that OpenAI's annualized revenue is roughly $20 billion lower than previously disclosed levels, while ARK Invest reportedly sold AMD stock along with other major tech holdings.

Most retail investors are bullish on AMD.

The stock's 52-week trading range is $188.22 to $658.52, with shares trading around $619 to $632 as of this writing. It is up 163.49% over the past year, up 167.74% over the past six months, and up 189.82% year-to-date. Edge stock rankings show AMD maintaining strong price trends across short, long, and medium terms, but with a poor value score.

AST SpaceMobile

ASTS drew attention this week, with focus on network testing progress, a significant Japan opportunity, and intensifying competition from SpaceX. On October 5, AST SpaceMobile completed its first wireless network connection test with TELUS, advancing direct-to-device satellite connectivity in Canada. On October 6, shares surged as investors focused on a potential $1 billion Japan catalyst. On October 7-8, sentiment reversed after the FCC approved SpaceX's next-generation direct-to-device satellite system, intensifying competitive pressure and weighing on ASTS. Broader aerospace sector pressure was also highlighted, tied to reports that SpaceX may raise $40 billion in debt for an Nvidia-driven data center expansion.

Some retail investors are mocking ASTS's stock performance.

The stock's 52-week trading range is $49.31 to $133.86, with shares trading around $53 to $57 as of this writing. It is down 29.89% over the past year, down 40.98% over the past six months, and down 21.62% year-to-date. Edge stock rankings show ASTS maintaining weak price trends across long, short, and medium terms.

Retail focus areas include AI infrastructure momentum, earnings, and corporate news-driven narratives, accompanied by broader market moves this week.