MACOM Jumps 4.8% as BMO Upgrades on AI Data Center Demand; Shares Up 117% in a Year

MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings (MTSI) shares rose 4.83% to $275.86 on September 18, 2026, after BMO Capital Markets upgraded the chipmaker to Outperform from Market Perform, citing strong AI data center demand. The stock has gained 117% over the past year but remains 33% below its record close of $409.68. BMO analyst Harsh Kumar said MACOM's earnings growth is "encouraging," driven by AI data center buildouts, while the defense market "remains resilient." Aerospace could become a "significant contributor" to growth by 2027, he added. Wall Street sentiment is broadly bullish: 12 of 16 brokerages surveyed by FactSet rate the stock Buy. Jefferies set a $450 price target in August, about 70% above the current level. MACOM reported quarterly revenue of $342.2 million, up 36% year over year and above the $336 million consensus, with net income surging 176% to $100.7 million. The company also launched microchips designed to double optical communication speeds inside AI data centers.