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Further Reading from MarketBeat.com

AEHR’s +25% Spike: Latest AI Hyperscaler Order Improves Outlook

Written by Leo Miller. Date Posted: 2/16/2026. 

At a Glance

• Aehr Test Systems just saw its shares post another big up-move, as the small company put out a promising new press release.
• The firm is now providing testing systems for not one, but two chips developed by a leading hyperscaler.
• While the company sees potential for orders to expand greatly, one key insider is selling the stock.

Small-cap semiconductor stock Aehr Test Systems (NASDAQ: AEHR) just secured a notable win. On Feb. 11, AEHR jumped more than 26% after the company released a key announcement.

The press release was more than headline-grabbing. Aehr said it had secured an initial order for its Sonoma systems from a leading hyperscale customer — a clear step toward boosting sales of these machines. Here are the specifics of the release and why it meaningfully improves Aehr’s outlook.

AEHR’s Sonoma System Receives Order for Next-Gen AI ASIC Testing

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Aehr’s Sonoma systems test semiconductor components under stressful conditions by applying high voltages and temperatures. This lets companies using artificial intelligence (AI) chips screen for defects and prevent substandard hardware from entering data centers. The systems also validate long-term chip reliability.

Aehr said an existing customer placed an initial order for Sonoma systems to test its next-generation application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). ASICs are the custom chips that firms such as Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO) co-develop with companies like Google parent Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOGL) and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META), optimized to run specific AI workloads.

Previously, Aehr had discussed this customer’s plans to introduce higher-powered AI ASICs and noted it was developing modules to test those devices. But Aehr emphasized the significance of this announcement, saying, “until now, Aehr had not officially been awarded the production burn-in business for this new device.” The company expects to deliver the systems tied to this win in the summer of 2026.

“Large Expansion” of Sonoma Orders Is On the Table

Aehr also provided an update on the customer’s current-generation AI ASIC — the device they are deploying or will soon deploy in data centers. Production of these devices is ramping up, and the customer is forecasting a “very large expansion of Sonoma system purchases for that device in the second half of calendar 2026 and continuing into 2027.” Aehr expects Sonoma orders for the current-generation device to come in alongside orders for the next-generation device.

This wording is more definitive than in past announcements, indicating that expectations for a “large expansion” in orders may be shifting from aspirational to tangible. Moreover, the customer already uses Sonoma on its current-generation AI ASICs, and expanding that use to the next generation suggests they’ve seen enough value to broaden deployment.

That level of customer confidence increases the likelihood Aehr can develop a sustainable, long-term partnership with this hyperscaler.

Is Aehr’s Latest Insider Sale a Red Flag Amid the Feb. 11 Spike?

A recent insider trade at Aehr is worth noting after the stock’s sharp rise. On Feb. 13, two days after the announcement, founder and current Chairman Rhea Posedel sold more than $420,000 worth of shares. Posedel’s sale was not made under a 10b5-1 plan, indicating the transaction was discretionary.

The timing and the fact that a major shareholder made the sale may raise questions about whether the gain is viewed as sustainable. On the other hand, Posedel sold only about 14,000 shares, retaining roughly 528,000 shares — about 97.4% of his stake. Keeping the vast majority of his holdings suggests continued confidence in Aehr’s longer-term prospects.

AEHR: A High-Volatility Play on the AI Boom

Aehr’s outlook appears to be improving. Sonoma machines address a clear need: helping companies that are investing heavily in AI processors ensure deployed hardware meets reliability standards. Momentum in the Sonoma business improves visibility around AI-driven revenue and reduces some uncertainty about growth potential.

Risks remain. Aehr is still highly dependent on a small number of customers, and a deterioration in those relationships could be damaging. The company has, however, received Sonoma orders from multiple customers in the past. Also, the projected “very large expansion” of orders has not yet been secured, so there is still a possibility plans could change.

Aehr trades with significant volatility: shares fell nearly 18% on Feb. 12, the day after the spike, underscoring investor skepticism. While recent updates are encouraging, investors should perform their own research before deciding whether to take a position in AEHR.

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