Micron Earnings Forecast Triggers Japanese Semiconductor Stock Rally

Japanese semiconductor stocks rallied on October 1, 2026, following a bullish fiscal fourth-quarter report and first-quarter outlook from Micron Technology. The U.S. memory-chip maker reported quarterly revenue of $54.23 billion and forecast first-quarter revenue of $61.5 billion, attributing the growth to strong AI-driven demand for high-bandwidth memory.

The optimism lifted the Nikkei 225 by approximately 2.8% to 3%. Lasertec shares surged 10%, while Advantest Corp and Taiyo Yuden both gained over 8%. Tokyo Electron Limited and Tokyo Electron America, Inc. also saw significant increases of nearly 8% and 6%, respectively. Google contributed to the broader AI trade optimism through an announcement regarding its Gemini AI model.

This tech sector rally occurred alongside broader market volatility. Global bond markets faced pressure as U.S. 30-year yields reached levels not seen since 2002. Additionally, investors expressed concern over the French government's budget plans to reduce its deficit before next year's presidential election.