ab 18 August 2025 Global Research Intel Corp. Thoughts on Recent US Government Headlines What happened Earlier today, Bloomberg reported the potential for the Trump Administration to convert some or all of the committed CHIPS Act funding (originally ~$8B in grants) into a 10% equity stake in the company. Clarity around the structure and financial mechanics of the deal is still limited because the CHIPS Act and associated milestones was already codified and current shareholders may not appreciate being dilut ...

Core Insights - Recent price action in Intel Corporation's stock has shown significant volatility, with shares rising above $23 and achieving a three-month gain of over 19% [1] - The company is experiencing a combination of strategic discipline, product execution, and new business wins, creating a scenario of mounting anticipation ahead of the second-quarter earnings report on July 24 [2] Financial Discipline and Strategy - Under CEO Lip-Bu Tan, Intel has made clear decisions to strengthen its balance sheet and pursue profitability [2] - A strategic pivot in manufacturing prioritizes the cost-effective 14A process, aimed at improving gross margins [3] - Intel plans to sell approximately 35 million shares of its subsidiary Mobileye, expected to raise over $1 billion for factory construction without increasing debt [5] - These actions provide a credible path toward a healthier financial future after years of negative free cash flow [6] Product Development and Market Position - The launch of laptops featuring Intel's Lunar Lake Core Ultra 200V series processors marks a significant proof point of the company's design and engineering capabilities [7] - Initial reviews highlight improvements in power efficiency and the introduction of a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that enhances AI performance, positioning Intel competitively in the PC market [12] Strategic Partnerships - Intel's collaboration with SK Hynix to use its advanced packaging technologies for High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) is a landmark strategic win [8] - This partnership places Intel at the center of the AI hardware supply chain, validating its foundry ambitions and opening new revenue streams [9][10] Earnings Report Expectations - Investors are keenly awaiting the July 24 earnings report for insights on Lunar Lake sales, gross margin outlook, and the foundry business's customer pipeline [13] - A strong report with positive guidance could validate recent stock rallies and lead to significant upward movement in share price [13]

Core Viewpoint - Intel is experiencing a significant shift in its foundry business strategy, leading to investor concerns and a decline in stock value [1][4]. Group 1: Business Strategy Changes - Intel may cease marketing its "18A" chipmaking process (1.8-nanometer) to external customers and write off its investment in this process [1][2]. - The company plans to focus on the more advanced "14A" process (1.4-nanometer) for foundry customers while continuing in-house development of 1.8-nm chips [2][4]. Group 2: Financial Implications - New CEO Lip-Bu Tan noted that customer interest in the 18A chips is low, which is disappointing given the "billions of dollars" invested in this technology [4]. - Industry experts predict that the strategic shift could result in write-offs amounting to "hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars" [4]. - Intel reported its first GAAP net loss in nearly 40 years last year, with forecasts indicating continued losses this year and next before a potential return to profitability [5]. Group 3: Company Valuation and Outlook - Intel is valued at over $100 billion, with more than $50 billion in debt and $21 billion in cash, indicating it remains a significant player in the industry [6]. - Until Intel demonstrates its ability to regain profitability, recommendations to buy the stock are cautious [6].