The Motley Fool·2026-01-18 22:05Core Insights - The semiconductor manufacturing technology is crucial for the AI revolution and other significant trends, with Intel being a key player in the PC and server CPU market [1] - Intel's foundry business has not grown as anticipated, resulting in substantial financial losses for the segment [2] - Despite challenges, Intel's share price has surged over 150% in the past year due to investor optimism regarding new manufacturing processes and potential demand growth by 2027 [3] Company Overview - Intel operates a chip foundry unit that manufactures its designs and serves third-party customers, aiming to become a major provider of fabrication services [2] - The company has a market capitalization of $234 billion, with a current share price of $46.96 [5] Market Dynamics - Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) dominates the advanced chip fabrication market, accounting for over 90% of this segment, particularly for AI and next-gen technologies [4] - Intel faces a lengthy timeline to gain market share from TSMC, but geopolitical factors, particularly the risk of China invading Taiwan, could enhance Intel's prospects [6] Geopolitical Factors - China has set a target for 2027 to potentially regain control over Taiwan, which could disrupt TSMC's operations and impact global semiconductor supply chains [7] - The potential destabilization from China's actions could create favorable conditions for Intel's foundry business as the need for diversified semiconductor supply chains increases [8]