Should Investors Give Intel Stock Another Look After Its AI Strategy Reset?

Core Viewpoint - Intel is experiencing a resurgence under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) to recover from past setbacks and missed opportunities [1][2][3]. Intel's Recovery Strategy - The initial step in Intel's turnaround involved eliminating unnecessary bureaucracy by flattening the organizational structure [5]. - A renewed focus on AI, particularly on AI inference, has been prioritized, with Mr. Tan stating that inference will be a larger market than AI training workloads [6][7]. - Mr. Tan has taken direct oversight of the AI division following the departure of the previous AI leader, indicating a strong commitment to AI success [8]. Financial Performance - Intel secured significant funding, including an $8.9 billion investment from the U.S. government and a $2 billion contribution from SoftBank Group, alongside a $5 billion investment from Nvidia [10][11]. - In the first half of 2025, Intel's revenue was flat at $25.5 billion with a net loss of $3.7 billion, but by the third quarter, revenue increased by 3% year over year to $13.7 billion, resulting in a net income of $4.1 billion, a 124% increase from the previous year's loss [11][12]. Investment Considerations - Under Mr. Tan's leadership, Intel appears to be a promising long-term investment in AI, but the stock price has surged, leading to a high valuation [13][16]. - The price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio has increased significantly, making it less favorable for immediate investment compared to competitors like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, which has a P/E ratio of 30 [14][16].