Key Takeaways TSMC plans volume production of its A16 process in the second half of 2026.A16 offers 8-10% speed gains or 15-20% power efficiency versus the N2P process.TSMC's Q2 2025 revenues jumped 44% as 3nm and 5nm nodes drove 58% of wafer sales.Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSM) , also known as TSMC, is preparing to launch its A16 process technology, with volume production expected in the second half of 2026. The A16 node, which is an extension of its 2nm platform, introduces Super Power R ...

This story was originally published on Manufacturing Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Manufacturing Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Intel plans to continue gauging customer demand for its next-generation 14A chipmaking process before building out manufacturing capacity, CFO David Zinsner said at Citi’s 2025 Global Technology, Media and Telecommunications Conference on Sept. 4. Intel could contract 14A production to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. or other chipmake ...

Core Insights - Intel stock surged nearly 7% following reports of potential government investment and a significant stake from SoftBank, indicating renewed investor interest and potential for a stock rally [1][2] - The company has faced challenges including declining revenues and market share losses, but government backing and a domestic manufacturing edge could drive a turnaround [2][4] - Intel's revenue is projected to decline to about $52 billion in 2024, but there are signs of potential recovery with a projected annual growth of 7% from 2025 to 2028 [4][9] Revenue Trends - Intel's revenues fell from $79 billion in 2021 to $53 billion in 2024 due to a cooling PC market and competition from AMD [4] - The PC market is expected to recover with low single-digit growth, but Intel's sales are still projected to dip by 2% this year [4] - A rebound in CPU-related spending and stronger product offerings could position Intel to benefit from the recovery in the PC market [8] Margin Analysis - Intel's adjusted net margins have declined from around 29% in 2021 to approximately 8.5% in 2023, with negative margins expected in 2024 [10] - The company plans to cut $1.5 billion in operating expenses and lay off about 25,000 employees, which could improve margins over time [11] - If margins recover to about 20% by 2028, this could significantly enhance profitability [11] Valuation Insights - Currently trading at about $25 per share, Intel's valuation reflects a high earnings multiple, with potential for significant upside if growth resumes [12] - If revenue grows to about $64 billion by 2028 with adjusted net income reaching nearly $13 billion, the stock price could approach $60 per share [12] - The turnaround timeline is flexible, with potential gains expected as key metrics improve [13]

Intel's struggles continue, but there's one reason to hold out hope. Intel (INTC -1.31%) changed its messenger, but the message stayed the same. After pushing out CEO Pat Gelsinger and bringing in Lip-Bu Tan, the former CEO of Cadence Design Systems, to run the company, the legacy chipmaker reported another disappointing quarter last week in Tan's first full quarter as the CEO. The stock finished down 8.5% on the news. Revenue in the quarter was flat at $12.9 billion, though that was well ahead of the conse ...

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]

Group 1: Intel's Strategic Shift - Intel is committed to becoming a global foundry leader, investing over $90 billion in capital expenditures to expand its foundry operations and compete with TSMC and Samsung [2] - The foundry segment faced losses of nearly $13 billion last year, and Intel's shares have decreased by nearly 50% since their peak in 2024 [2] Group 2: Technological Advancements - Intel's new 18A process utilizes 1.8nm technology, currently in risk production, with initial batches being tested for manufacturing enhancements [4] - Innovations like RibbonFET gate-all-around transistors and PowerVia backside power delivery are expected to improve performance and energy efficiency, particularly for AI applications [4] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - TSMC holds over two-thirds of the foundry market and is expected to lead the 2nm generation, with mass production starting in late 2025 [5] - TSMC's 2nm process promises a 10% to 15% performance enhancement and up to 30% reduction in power usage compared to its 3nm node, with current yields at 60% [5][6] - Intel's yield rates for the 18A process are reported to be between 20% to 30%, while Samsung achieves 40% yields on its competing technology [5] Group 4: Market Dynamics - TSMC has a loyal customer base, including major clients like Apple and AMD, while Intel is diversifying its strategy by engaging TSMC for some upcoming processors [6] - Despite Intel's claims of improved performance with the 18A process, TSMC's chips are likely to maintain advantages in density and cost [7] Group 5: Stock Performance - Intel's stock has shown significant volatility, with annual returns of 6% in 2021, -47% in 2022, 95% in 2023, and -60% in 2024, contrasting with the more stable performance of the Trefis High Quality Portfolio [8]

Core Viewpoint - Intel is facing significant challenges in the semiconductor market, particularly in AI infrastructure and foundry operations, leading to a 45% decline in stock value over the past year [1] Group 1: Leadership and Turnaround Efforts - Intel appointed Lip-Bu Tan as the new CEO, who has a background in electronic design automation and previously served on Intel's board [1][2] - Tan's plans focus on revitalizing AI chip efforts, improving the foundry business, and streamlining operations, which are expected to be challenging [2] Group 2: Market Position and Competition - Intel's market share in the GPU space is nearly zero, lagging behind Nvidia and AMD, with failed attempts to compete in the GPU market [3][5] - The company has shifted focus to the Jaguar Shores GPU, designed for AI inference and high-performance computing, as part of a broader system [4] Group 3: Foundry Business Challenges - Intel's foundry business is under pressure, with a 7% revenue decline in 2024 and a $13.4 billion loss, raising concerns about its viability [8] - The company is required to maintain a majority stake in its foundry business to comply with CHIPS Act funding conditions [7] Group 4: Financial Position and Asset Management - Intel has invested nearly $50 billion in capital expenditures over the past two years, indicating significant physical asset value [10] - The company is selling a 51% stake in Altera for $4.46 billion, valuing the company at $8.75 billion, which is less than the original purchase price [11] - Intel's stock is trading at a price-to-tangible book value ratio of 1.2, suggesting it is undervalued relative to its physical assets [12]