Intel's Panther Lake processors, made using its new 18A manufacturing process, could be a winner, Seaport says. ...

Core Viewpoint - Intel's stock has significantly outperformed the S&P 500, gaining approximately 26.27% year to date, driven by positive analyst upgrades and expectations for upcoming earnings [1]. Analyst Upgrades - Melius Research upgraded Intel to buy from hold with a price target of $50 on January 5 [1]. - KeyBanc upgraded Intel to overweight from sector weight with a price target of $60 on January 13 [1]. - Citi upgraded Intel from sell to neutral, raising the price target from $29 to $50, citing potential benefits from TSMC's advanced packaging supply [4]. - Jefferies maintained a hold rating but raised the price target from $40 to $45, anticipating a "relatively disappointing" full-year commentary [5]. - UBS reiterated a neutral rating and increased the price target from $40 to $49 [5]. - Barclays maintained an equal weight rating and raised the price target from $35 to $45 [5]. Earnings Expectations - Intel's Q4 earnings are set to be released on January 22, with several analysts updating their opinions ahead of this report [3]. - Bank of America expects in-line or better Q4 results, projecting sales of $13.4 billion and gross margins of 36.5% [6]. - Analysts believe that strong server sales will mitigate the impact of rising memory prices on PCs [6]. Foundry Developments - KeyBanc's analyst noted that Intel's foundry achieved yield rates exceeding 60% on its 18A manufacturing process, which is sufficient for ramping Panther Lake [2]. - Intel Foundry Services has reportedly secured Apple as a customer for low-end M-series processors, expected to enter production in 2027 [2]. Risks and Concerns - Analysts have highlighted potential downside risks, including lower yield rates at Intel Foundry for new manufacturing nodes [8]. - Concerns exist regarding a lack of significant external foundry customers and weaker trends in the mature PC market [9].

Core Insights - Intel's stock has increased by 15.5% year-to-date in 2026, following an over 80% gain in the previous year, indicating strong market momentum [1] - The surge in stock price is largely attributed to the excitement surrounding the new Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, which are built on the Intel 18A semiconductor foundry in the U.S. [1][2] Product and Technology - The Core Ultra Series 3 processors represent Intel's first AI personal computing platform utilizing the new U.S.-based Intel 18A process technology, which could significantly enhance Intel's market position in AI [2] - Intel claims that the Ultra Series 3 processors offer a competitive edge, delivering "up to 1.9x higher large language model (LLM) performance" and improved power efficiency [3] Market Demand and Sales - Pre-orders for the Core Ultra Series 3 processors began on January 6, 2026, with global availability set for January 27, 2026, although customer demand insights may take time to materialize [4] - Intel's fiscal third-quarter revenue rose by 3% to $13.7 billion, with CEO Lip-Bu Tan highlighting that AI is driving demand for compute across various product lines [8] Financial Performance - Intel reported earnings per share of 90 cents in the most recent quarter, a significant improvement from a loss of $3.88 in the same quarter last year, indicating a potential turnaround in profitability [10] - The company has a market capitalization exceeding $200 billion, despite ongoing challenges in achieving consistent profitability [9] Future Outlook - Intel's management anticipates that demand for its products will continue to outpace supply into 2026, suggesting a positive growth trajectory if the company maintains its current performance [10] - However, there are concerns that the stock may already reflect an anticipated turnaround, raising questions about future price appreciation given the uncertainties in the semiconductor industry [11]

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) is one of the Best AI Stocks to Buy under $50. On December 29, Reuters reported that Nvidia has purchased Intel shares worth $5 billion, carrying out a transaction ‌announced in September. The AI chipmaker had announced back then that it would pay $23.28 per share for Intel ⁠common stock, buying over 214.7 million Intel shares at the price set out in the agreement, as per Monday's filing. The deal forms part of a broader strategic agreement to co-develop chips for data cent ...

Nvidia stock (NASDAQ: NVDA) tumbled nearly 1% on Wednesday after reports surfaced that the AI chipmaker has paused testing of Intel's ambitious 18A manufacturing process. The move marks a significant ... ...

Market Overview - Major U.S. stock indices finished higher, with the Dow Jones up nearly 0.4% at 47,474.46, S&P 500 gaining 0.25% to 6,829.37, and Nasdaq advancing almost 0.6% to 23,413.67 [1] Marvell Technology - Marvell shares rose 1.96% to close at $92.89, with adjusted earnings of 76 cents per share and revenue of $2.08 billion, up from $1.52 billion a year earlier, indicating continued growth [2][3] - The company reported record data center sales and a positive full-year growth outlook, forecasting revenue growth above 40% for the fiscal year, driven by AI infrastructure spending [2][3] CrowdStrike - CrowdStrike stock gained 2.46% to finish at $516.55, with third-quarter revenue reaching just over $1.23 billion, a 22% year-over-year increase, and adjusted earnings of 96 cents [4][5] - Subscription revenue rose 21% to $1.17 billion, and annual recurring revenue grew 23% to $4.92 billion, with $265.3 million in net new ARR added [5][6] Boeing - Boeing shares surged 10.15% to close at $205.38, as the company outlined expectations for higher 737 and 787 jet deliveries in 2026 and reaffirmed its intention to acquire Spirit AeroSystems [7][8] - Management's updated production outlook suggested an acceleration in widebody and narrowbody output, which could improve cash flow and margins as supply chain conditions stabilize [8] Intel Corporation - Intel stock climbed 8.65% to finish at $43.47, amid speculation that Apple could utilize Intel's advanced 18A manufacturing process for M-series processors [9][10] - The company is positioned as a leader in U.S.-based advanced chipmaking, with new fabs planned in Arizona and Ohio, and the potential Apple deal is seen as a strategic supply-chain pivot [11] Pure Storage - Pure Storage shares advanced 6.97% to close at $94.72, with quarterly revenue of $964.45 million, exceeding estimates, and earnings of 58 cents meeting expectations [12][13] - Subscription revenue rose 14% to $429.7 million, and annual recurring revenue climbed 17% to $1.8 billion, with the company raising its fiscal 2026 revenue outlook to $3.63–$3.64 billion [13]

Core Insights - Intel Corporation is undergoing a critical turnaround strategy under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, with initial stock gains fading as the market seeks tangible results from leadership changes [1][3][12] - The company has achieved a significant milestone by starting risk production for its 18A manufacturing process, which is essential for future competitive product launches [4][6][14] - Despite technological advancements, Intel faces financial challenges, including a substantial net loss reported for the 2024 fiscal year, leading to cautious analyst ratings [9][10][13] Strategic Direction - The strategic direction of Intel, discussed during the Intel Vision 2025 event, emphasizes the need for execution amidst market pressures [2][12] - The initial stock surge of approximately 25% following Tan's appointment added over $20 billion to Intel's market cap, reflecting investor optimism in his leadership [2][3] Manufacturing Milestones - Intel's commencement of risk production for the 18A process node marks a key technical achievement, with Panther Lake client processors set to be among the first products utilizing this technology [4][5][6] - This milestone aligns with Intel's roadmap of "five nodes in four years," targeting a manufacturing ramp in late 2025 [5][12] Product Innovation - Intel continues to innovate across its product segments, recently showcasing the new Xeon 6 processor family designed for data centers and networking markets [7][8] - The Xeon 6 processors feature integrated AI acceleration and performance-per-watt improvements, catering to demanding workloads in various sectors [8] Financial Outlook - Analysts predict break-even earnings per share for Q1 2025, with a slight year-over-year revenue decrease, reflecting ongoing financial concerns [9][10] - The average stock price forecast is set at $25.58, indicating a potential upside of 14.06% from the current price, but most analysts maintain a cautious stance [10][11] Market Sentiment - Increased short interest in Intel stock suggests bearish market sentiment, likely due to the high costs and risks associated with the company's turnaround plan [11][13] - The market's focus has shifted from initial enthusiasm to the necessity for consistent execution and measurable improvements in financial performance [3][14]