Intel ( INTC ) reported earnings yesterday afternoon, and while results beat expectations on both the top and bottom line, the headline numbers mask the deeper debate surrounding the stock. Earnings rose 15% year over year and revenue declined 4%, though Q1 remains a seasonally weak period for Intel's businesses.
Intel shares plunged by as much as 17% on Friday – after the chipmaker admitted it was having trouble keeping pace with sky-high demand due to manufacturing issues.
Intel's stock tumbled Friday after the chipmaker posted a weaker-than-expected outlook. A memory supply crunch that's raised prices is partly to blame—but those same forces have sent shares of component makers soaring lately.
As Intel stock reminded traders, what may seem bullish on paper doesn't necessarily translate to the market. Despite beating Wall Street expectations on earnings per share and revenue, the stock dropped by as much as 13% after the market was already closed following the company's Q4/full-year earnings report on Wednesday (January 22).
I haven't seen Intel's DCAI segment constrained by supply in a very long time. Even though the company is missing revenue in Q1, I think this is a positive development. Intel beat DCAI expectations ($4.7B vs $4.43B) on Granite Rapids demand, but buffer inventory depletion and a wafer-mix shift delayed supply improvements until late Q1. Management said revenue would have been higher with more supply. Q1 2026 revenue guidance was $11.7–$12.7B and non-GAAP EPS $0.00 vs the Street's $12.51B and $0.05 consensus.
Intel Corp (NASDAQ:INTC, XETRA:INL) shares tumbled more than 14% Friday morning following the company's latest earnings report, as analysts expressed concern over ongoing supply constraints, margin pressure, and a slow path to meaningful profitability. Jefferies reiterated a Hold rating with a $45 price target, highlighting “soft guidance on supply constraints and further margin struggles.
Micron Technology has seen strong stock performance over the last year; however, how does it really stack up against memory and AI competitors that are swiftly expanding amid the data-center surge? A detailed examination shows impressive revenue growth over the last twelve months (45%) alongside healthy operating margins (32%), yet its free cash flow margins (11%) lag behind industry leaders.
Chip giant Intel Corp (NASDAQ:INTC) stock is plummeting, down 15.5% at $45.88 at last glance, despite better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings and revenue results.
Intel's stock is headed for its worst drop in a year and a half as earnings commentary fails to meet investors' lofty expectations.
Intel Corporation remains a Hold as recent stock price gains are not justified by fundamentals or near-term prospects. I trimmed again. Q4 2025 performance exceeded guidance, but revenue and gross margins declined year-over-year, and INTC annual revenue fell versus 2024. INTC management's Q1 2026 guidance is modest, with EPS expected at $0 and gross margin shrinking to 34.5%, reflecting acute internal supply constraints.
This is a developing story.
Intel Corporation remains a Buy as it transitions from turnaround to growth, despite recent manufacturing and margin challenges. INTC's Q4 beat expectations, but weak Q1 guidance and ongoing supply chain issues signal near-term headwinds and limited capacity to capitalize on demand. Strategic advances include leading 2nm-equivalent chip production, a $5B liquidity boost from Nvidia, and aggressive AI PC market share targets.