SanDisk Stock Soars Over 850%, but Tech Sector Shifts Mid-Year

The first half of 2026 saw significant growth in certain sectors, particularly memory chip and data storage manufacturers. SanDisk's stock rose by more than 850% over six months, while Western Digital, Micron Technology, and Seagate Technology more than tripled in value due to a shortage of components amid the accelerated construction of AI data centers and growing demand for computing power.

Other tech companies such as Intel, Dell Technologies, AMD, and Applied Materials gained between 150% and 280% as investors expanded their investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure. This rally also spread to global markets with South Korea's KOSPI doubling, Japan's Nikkei 225 rising by about 40%, and the MSCI Emerging Markets Index gaining about 27%. However, growth was more moderate in Europe.

As the trend in the technology sector began to shift by mid-year, growth among memory manufacturers slowed, and some stocks entered a correction phase following a rapid rally. Investors started reassessing the valuations of the largest technology companies, with Meta shares falling by 14% and Microsoft shares by 24%. Traditional safe-haven assets failed to meet expectations, with gold falling by approximately 28% due to high interest rates and rising bond yields.

Bitcoin also ended the first half of the year down by approximately 28% amid waning interest in cryptocurrencies and a shift of funds into technology stocks. Mergers and acquisitions partially supported the UK market, but some sectors came under pressure, including property developers facing a weak real estate market.