Micron, Alphabet, The Generation Essentials Group, Robinhood and Progress Software: Why These 5 Stocks Are on Investors' Radars Today

Google and Meta updated their data usage policies in October 2026, potentially exposing them to EU fines of up to 10% of global sales. Google's changes allow ad personalization using data from connected services like Gmail and Photos, while Meta's terms permit crawling business websites. Both companies reported negative free cash flow in 2026 due to AI spending, but no regulators have opened cases yet.

Micron Technology (MU) reported that AI tools reduced development time for its data center SSD by 60%, accelerating innovation. Shares fell 6.26% on October 22 due to sector sell-off and a Taiwan plant strike, then rose 2.46% to $877.55. Analysts' mid-target price is ~$1,174, with a potential total return of ~34%. The company faces supply-demand imbalances and union negotiations in Taiwan.

Alphabet (GOOGL) reported strong Google Cloud growth in Q2 2026, with revenue up 82% YoY to $24.8B and operating income more than tripling. However, capital expenditures nearly doubled, exceeding operating cash flow. Investors are divided on whether the stock's lagging performance presents a buying opportunity or reflects justified caution about AI investment payback.

Amazon and Google signed 20-year deals with Constellation Energy for nuclear power, totaling $4.3B. Amazon secured 690 MW from Calvert Cliffs, while Google's deal covers 11 reactors. Critics question if these agreements will meet data center demand and impact household electricity costs. The Energy Department approved $4.4B in loans for nuclear facilities. Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon have also made significant nuclear power agreements.

Google presented plans for a $14B data center in Palo, Iowa, at an open house. The project includes six buildings, 180-720MW power use, and 180 permanent jobs. Google will invest $14B, generating $170M in tax revenue over 20 years. Water will be sourced from the Cedar River, with no tax breaks requested. Construction may start soon, but land ownership and power details remain unclear.

Micron (MU), SK Hynix, and SanDisk shares rose on Friday due to a rebound in semiconductor stocks. SK Hynix's decision to scrap Solidigm's IPO eased supply concerns, potentially benefiting NAND suppliers. Analysts remain divided on the chip sector's outlook, with some seeing technical pressure and others fundamental strength. DA Davidson maintained a Buy rating on Micron with a $3,000 price target, citing its leadership in memory technology.