Summary of Intel (INTC) FY Conference Call - May 13, 2025 Company Overview - **Company**: Intel Corporation (INTC) - **Event**: JPMorgan's 53rd Annual Technology Media and Communications Conference - **Key Speaker**: Dave Zinsner, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Core Industry Insights - **Leadership Transition**: Lip Bu Tan, Intel's new CEO, has been in position for about 60 days and is focused on maintaining the existing strategic direction without massive changes [3][4] - **Strategic Focus**: - Return to leadership in core compute with best-in-class client and server products [4] - Expand leadership in compute to leverage AI workloads [4] - Achieve leadership in advanced manufacturing and grow the foundry business [4] Key Observations and Changes - **Execution Issues**: The primary concern identified by Lip Bu is a lack of execution, which he is addressing by flattening the organization and increasing direct communication with engineering leaders [5][6][7] - **Cultural Transformation**: Emphasis on transforming the culture to eliminate bureaucracy, enhance decision-making, and improve execution accountability [12][16] - **Cost Management**: Operating expenses (OpEx) targeted at $17 billion for the current year and $16 billion for the next year, with a capital expenditure (CapEx) reduction of $2 billion to $18 billion [12] Product and Manufacturing Strategy - **Manufacturing Goals**: Focus on regaining leadership in leading-edge process technologies, which are crucial for core compute performance [22] - **Process Technology**: The 18A process technology is being ramped up, with differentiation through innovative solutions like backside power [24][25] - **Foundry Business**: Intel aims to develop a world-class foundry business, with a focus on customer needs and competitive offerings [28][29] Financial Outlook - **Breakeven Target**: Intel Foundry is expected to reach operating profitability breakeven by 2027, requiring low to mid-single-digit billion revenue from external sources [38][40] - **Cash Flow Management**: Focus on improving operating cash flow, with expectations of better cash flow as new products like Panther Lake ramp up [59][60] Product Development and Market Position - **Chip Design Improvements**: Lip Bu is focused on ensuring products meet customer requirements and improving the design process to avoid delays [46][48] - **Upcoming Products**: The Panther Lake product is expected to launch by the end of the year, with a focus on improving margins through internal production [51][53] - **Server Products**: The Diamond Rapids product is in development, with positive early feedback, but further work is needed to close the performance gap with competitors [55][57] Customer Engagement and Market Dynamics - **Customer Interaction**: Increased emphasis on direct communication between engineers and customers to better understand and meet their needs [19][20] - **Market Trends**: Customers are increasingly looking for second sources for supply, presenting opportunities for Intel Foundry [35] Conclusion - **Overall Strategy**: Intel is focused on executing its existing strategy while improving organizational culture, product development, and customer engagement to regain its competitive edge in the semiconductor industry [11][12][16]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First-quarter revenue was $12.7 billion, at the high end of guidance, driven by better-than-expected Xeon sales [34] - Non-GAAP gross margin was 39.2%, approximately three percentage points above guidance due to strong demand for Raptor Lake and improved costs for Meteor Lake [34] - Earnings per share for Q1 was 13¢, exceeding guidance of breakeven EPS, driven by higher revenue and lower operating expenses [35] - Operating cash flow was $800 million, with growth CapEx of $6.2 billion, resulting in adjusted free cash flow of negative $3.7 billion [36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Intel products revenue was $11.8 billion, down 10% sequentially but above expectations [38] - Client Computing Group (CCG) revenue decreased 13% quarter over quarter, below typical seasonality [38] - Data Center and AI (DCAI) revenue was down 5% sequentially, driven by hyperscaler demand for AI servers [39] - Intel Foundry revenue was $4.7 billion, up 8% sequentially due to increased demand for advanced packaging services [39] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The PC total addressable market (TAM) is expected to grow 3% to 5% due to the end of service for Windows 10 and aging installed base [31] - Traditional server side is poised for double-digit CPU core growth this year, supported by delayed infrastructure upgrades [32] - Economic uncertainty is increasing due to shifting trade policies and inflation, prompting a conservative business management approach [33] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to transform its culture and operations to enhance innovation and agility [11] - A focus on building best-in-class products, particularly in AI workloads, is emphasized as a strategic priority [18][20] - The company plans to streamline operations and reduce organizational complexity to improve execution [12][14] - A commitment to strengthening the balance sheet and monetizing non-core assets is highlighted [28][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties but remains optimistic about the underlying fundamentals supporting growth [33][44] - The company is preparing for potential economic slowdowns and is adjusting forecasts accordingly [43] - Management emphasizes the importance of customer feedback in shaping product and platform design [22] Other Important Information - The company has set OpEx targets of $17 billion for 2025 and $16 billion for 2026, reflecting a focus on cost optimization [15][49] - A four-day-per-week return to office policy is mandated to foster collaboration and innovation [16] - The company plans to deconsolidate Altera from its financial results following a significant investment from Silver Lake Partners [41][42] Q&A Session Summary Question: Balancing internal product roadmap and foundry needs - Management discussed the importance of flattening the organization to focus on product delivery while improving yield and reliability for foundry customers [56][58] Question: Gross margin outlook for 2025 and 2026 - Management indicated that gross margins may face headwinds due to product mix and tariff dynamics, but expects improvements in 2026 with better margin products [62][66] Question: Updates on third-party foundry customers - Management emphasized the priority of ramping internal customers before expanding to third-party foundry customers, focusing on building trust and reliability [76][78] Question: Assessment of Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest - Management expressed confidence in Panther Lake's competitive positioning and outlined plans for Clearwater Forest's launch in 2026 [82][86] Question: Seven nanometer capacity constraints - Management explained that demand for older generation products is currently stronger due to macroeconomic factors, impacting the ramp of newer products [122][124] Question: Data center market outlook - Management remains optimistic about data center growth driven by hyperscalers, while acknowledging macroeconomic concerns [111][113] Question: CapEx outlook for 2025 and 2026 - Management plans to operate with an $18 billion CapEx in 2025, focusing on better returns from existing assets [116][118] Question: Panther Lake launch amid macro events - Management believes Panther Lake will see strong uptake due to its performance and pricing, despite current macroeconomic challenges [128][130]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - First-quarter revenue was $12.7 billion, at the high end of guidance, driven by better-than-expected Xeon sales [33] - Non-GAAP gross margin was 39.2%, approximately three percentage points above guidance due to strong demand for Raptor Lake and improved costs for Meteor Lake [33] - Earnings per share for Q1 was 13 cents, exceeding guidance of breakeven EPS, driven by higher revenue and lower operating expenses [34] - Operating cash flow was $800 million, with growth CapEx of $6.2 billion, resulting in adjusted free cash flow of negative $3.7 billion [35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Intel products revenue was $11.8 billion, down 10% sequentially but above expectations [37] - Client Computing Group (CCG) revenue decreased 13% quarter over quarter, below typical seasonality [37] - Data Center and AI (DCAI) revenue was down 5% sequentially, driven by hyperscaler demand for AI servers [38] - Intel Foundry revenue was $4.7 billion, up 8% sequentially due to increased demand for Intel seven wafers [38] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The PC total addressable market (TAM) is expected to grow 3% to 5% due to the end of service for Windows 10 and aging installed base [30] - The traditional server market is poised for double-digit CPU core growth this year, supported by delayed infrastructure upgrades [31] - Economic uncertainty is increasing due to shifting trade policies and persistent inflation, prompting a conservative approach for the second half of the year [32] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to transform its culture and operations to enhance innovation and agility [10] - A focus on building best-in-class products, particularly in AI and data center segments, is emphasized [17][18] - The strategy includes refining the AI approach and building trust with foundry customers [21][23] - The company plans to streamline operations and reduce operating expenses, targeting $17 billion in OpEx for 2025 and $16 billion for 2026 [14][48] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges ongoing macroeconomic uncertainties but remains optimistic about growth in key markets [30][32] - The company is focused on stabilizing market share and improving margins despite competitive pressures [111][138] - Future product launches, including Panther Lake, are expected to align with market demands, despite potential economic challenges [127][128] Other Important Information - The company plans to monetize non-core assets and strengthen its balance sheet [27][28] - A four-day-per-week return to office policy is mandated to enhance collaboration and efficiency [15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Balancing internal product roadmap with foundry needs - Management emphasized the importance of flattening the organization to focus on product delivery while improving yield and reliability for internal customers [56][58] Question: Gross margin outlook for 2025 and 2026 - Management indicated that while there are pressures on margins due to product mix and tariffs, improvements are expected in 2026 with better margin products ramping up [61][66] Question: Updates on foundry customers and potential tier-one additions - The priority is to ramp internal customers first, followed by building trust with foundry customers through improved service and reliability [77][78] Question: Assessment of Panther Lake and Clearwater Forest products - Management expressed confidence in Panther Lake's competitive positioning and plans for timely delivery, while Clearwater Forest is set for a later launch [85][86] Question: Seven nanometer capacity constraints - Management explained that demand for older generation products is currently higher due to macroeconomic factors, impacting the ramp of newer products [121][123] Question: Data center market outlook - Management remains optimistic about growth driven by hyperscalers and the upcoming Granite Rapids product, despite macroeconomic concerns [110][111] Question: CapEx outlook for 2025 and 2026 - The company plans to operate with $18 billion in CapEx for 2025, focusing on better returns from existing assets [115][116] Question: Panther Lake launch amid economic uncertainty - Management believes Panther Lake will see strong uptake due to its performance and pricing, despite current market challenges [127][128]