Intel stock plunges as hopes for a 'clean' turnaround story meet reality

Core Viewpoint - Intel's stock experienced significant volatility, rising nearly 50% before its fourth quarter report, but subsequently fell over 17% due to concerns about its recovery path [1]. Group 1: Stock Performance and Market Sentiment - Intel shares surged recently due to government investments and support from Nvidia, reaching a four-year high driven by optimism around AI data center demand and the release of new Panther Lake chips [2]. - The stock's rapid increase led to high expectations for the earnings report, but the results were not as strong as anticipated, particularly for the first quarter forecasts [3]. Group 2: Operational Challenges - Intel is facing internal supply constraints that hinder its ability to meet demand for server chips, indicating potential inefficiencies in its manufacturing processes and an underestimation of AI data center demand [3]. - The CEO stated that the company is focused on improving efficiency and output from its manufacturing plants, but the stock's decline highlighted a disconnect between market hype and the company's current operational realities [4]. Group 3: Competitive Landscape - Intel's product business is losing market share to competitors like AMD and Arm, complicating the justification for its manufacturing costs without significant external customers [5]. - The challenges in execution and competition from TSMC may hinder Intel's ability to attract outside customers and catch up in manufacturing capabilities [6].