Which CPU company has dominated 2026 so far: Intel (NASDAQ:INTC | INTC Price Prediction), Arm Holdings (NASDAQ:ARM), or Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD)?
Intel delivered $13.6B revenue (+7% YoY) and $0.29 EPS, with demand exceeding supply across core segments. Data Center revenue surged 22% to $5.1B with 31% margins, despite ongoing share losses to AMD. Non-GAAP profitability improved to 41% gross margins, while GAAP showed a $3.7B loss from heavy reinvestment.
INTC posts strong Q1 2026 results as revenues rise 7%, fueled by Xeon CPUs, AI PCs, foundry growth and stronger pricing.
Shares of Intel Corporation NASDAQ: INTC opened sharply higher following Thursday night's earnings report, with an immediate jump of greater than 20%. The stock is not only extending its recent rally but has also broken above its previous all-time high, last seen during the peak of the dot-com era in 2000.
Nearly 211%. That's how much Intel shares skyrocketed over the last year as of Thursday's close, far outpacing Nvidia (87.8%) and Broadcom (123%), but still below the growth for competitor AMD, whose shares have rallied 223%.
Intel Corp (NASDAQ:INTC) stock is powering the Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) today, up 21% to trade at $80.77 at last glance, after nabbing a record high of $85.22 right out of the gate.
Advanced Micro Devices Inc (NASDAQ:AMD) stock is up 12% to trade at a new record high $341.86 at last glance, enjoying a halo lift from Intel's (INTC) strong quarterly report , which renewed AI trade optimism.
Intel shares are soaring to new record highs, thanks in large part to booming demand for AI.
The turnaround for Intel's business may be ongoing, but its stock passed a major milestone today.
Intel Corporation delivered a decisive Q1 beat, driven by strong server CPU demand and successful 18A node ramp. Gross margin expanded to 41%, with Data Center and AI segment margins surging to 30.5% amid CPU demand shift. Valuation is stretched: forward P/E Non-GAAP at 117.78 and scenario analysis implies >50% downside from $80 levels.
Q1 2026 changed my perspective because Intel's turnaround finally showed up in revenue, margins, earnings, guidance, and DCAI momentum. I see DCAI as the biggest surprise, with $5.1B of revenue, 22% growth, and $1.5B of operating profit. In fact, Xeon 6's traction with Nvidia, Google, and SambaNova makes Intel's AI relevance harder for me to dismiss.
The S&P 500 (^GSPC) is pointing higher into Friday's open, with futures fractionally higher as traders digest a bevy of data.