Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) ended Friday’s regular session modestly higher, then added to gains in after-hours trading as investors digested a key regulatory update tied to Nvidia’s planned investment.
After the bell on Friday, Dec. 19, Intel shares traded around $37.10 in after-hours action (as of 6:02 p.m. ET), up about 0.76% from the $36.82 close, with unusually heavy postmarket volume reported. [1]
That after-hours move follows a strong day for U.S. equities broadly and a renewed bid in large-cap AI and semiconductor names—important context for anyone preparing for the next regular U.S. market session (note: U.S. stock markets are closed on weekends, so the next full session after Friday is Monday, Dec. 22). [2]
Intel stock price recap: what happened into the close and after hours
Intel finished the regular session up 1.49% at $36.82 on Friday, extending a second straight day of gains, though it lagged some large semiconductor peers that rallied harder. [3]
- Close (4:00 p.m. ET): $36.82 (+1.49%) [4]
- After hours (around 6:02 p.m. ET): ~$37.10 (+0.76% postmarket) [5]
- 52-week context: Intel remained about 16% below its $44.02 52-week high (set Dec. 3, 2025). [6]
A key detail for traders: after-hours prints can be thin and volatile compared with the regular session, so the direction matters, but the conviction can be easier to overread—especially heading into a weekend.
The headline that mattered today: Nvidia’s Intel investment clears antitrust review
The most market-moving Intel-specific development on Friday was the confirmation that U.S. antitrust agencies cleared Nvidia’s investment in Intel, based on an FTC notice. Reuters reported the clearance late Friday, noting the notice did not detail terms, but referenced Nvidia’s previously announced $5 billion investment. [7]
Why it matters:
- Removes a regulatory overhang. The clearance reduces “deal risk” that can weigh on sentiment and positioning, particularly for investors focused on the stability of Intel’s funding and foundry roadmap. [8]
- Re-centers the bull case around execution, not approval. With the antitrust question largely addressed, the market’s next focus shifts to implementation: timelines, product roadmaps, manufacturing readiness, and whether Intel can turn partnerships into durable revenue.
Quick refresher: what Nvidia’s $5B move was designed to do
Back in September, Reuters reported Nvidia planned to take a $5 billion stake in Intel (roughly 4% after new shares were issued) and pursue collaboration spanning PC and data-center chips—while also leaving open the longer-term question of whether Nvidia could become a major foundry customer. [9]
That original announcement framed Nvidia’s support as a high-profile “vote of confidence” at a moment when Intel was still trying to prove its turnaround and regain manufacturing credibility. [10]
Today’s antitrust clearance doesn’t guarantee a smooth execution path—but it does remove one of the clearer binary risks.
Why Intel didn’t “rip” like some chip peers today
Intel rose Friday, but it underperformed Nvidia and Broadcom, both of which gained around 3% or more in the session. [11]
A few plausible reasons (based on how investors typically frame Intel’s story versus its peers):
- Intel remains an execution story. Nvidia and Broadcom are often priced as beneficiaries of current AI infrastructure spend; Intel is still priced with proof points pending in foundry/AI. (That doesn’t mean Intel can’t outperform—just that the bar is different.)
- Short-term flows can distort Friday closes. Friday also coincided with a major options expiration (often associated with elevated trading activity and churn late in the day), which can amplify volume and rotate leadership within tech. [12]
Today’s “forecast” snapshot: analysts are still split (and the targets conflict)
The most important takeaway from today’s analyst roundups is simple: there is no single “Wall Street view” on Intel right now—and even major data aggregators disagree.
MarketBeat: “Reduce” consensus, target below Friday’s close
A MarketBeat roundup published Friday described Intel’s consensus rating as “Reduce” with an average price target around $34.84, even as the stock traded $36–$37. [13]
MarketBeat also flagged heavy volume intraday (about 155 million shares during mid-day trading, above its cited average daily volume), underscoring just how much positioning may be in flux around headlines and year-end flows. [14]
TipRanks: “Hold” consensus, target near current levels
TipRanks, in a separate report tied to Friday’s regulatory update, described a Hold consensus and an average price target around $37.25 (implying only limited upside from the high-$36 range). [15]
How to interpret the mismatch: differences often come from (1) which analysts are included, (2) how recently updates are counted, and (3) whether older targets are rolled off. The practical point before the next open is that the Street is still debating whether Intel’s rally has run ahead of fundamentals, or whether catalysts are finally catching up to the turnaround narrative.
What to watch before the next market open
Here’s the actionable checklist for readers tracking Intel stock heading into the next session:
1) Watch for follow-through on the FTC clearance narrative
The clearance headline is clear—but markets will now look for any next-step signals, such as:
- confirmation of expected timing to complete the investment
- any additional disclosure on structure
- any added detail on the collaboration roadmap
Reuters emphasized that the FTC notice did not specify details of the transaction. [16]
2) Check whether INTC holds the postmarket level near $37
After-hours trading around $37.10 suggests buyers were still engaged after 4 p.m. ET. [17]
The key question for the next session: does Intel open above Friday’s close (a “gap” higher) and keep it, or fade back into the prior range?
3) Track the technical “gravity” levels investors are watching
Even fundamental investors keep an eye on well-known reference points when a stock is headline-driven.
MarketBeat cited Intel’s:
- 50-day moving average around $38.03
- 200-day moving average around $29.18 [18]
With INTC closing at $36.82, the $38 zone is a natural area where sellers may appear (or where a breakout could attract momentum buyers). [19]
4) Know the calendar: the Christmas week structure matters for liquidity
We’re heading into a holiday-shortened week. Nasdaq’s trading calendar shows:
- Early close on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025 (1:00 p.m. ET)
- Market closed Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025 (Christmas Day) [20]
NYSE’s official schedule also confirms the Dec. 24 early close. [21]
That matters because thinner liquidity can exaggerate moves—especially in stocks with active retail and options participation like Intel.
5) Put Intel’s move into the broader tape: AI/tech sentiment is back in charge
Friday’s rally was driven in part by tech leadership returning, with the Nasdaq up and AI-linked megacaps leading. [22]
Reuters also highlighted a seasonal market focus on the “Santa rally” period (a term traders use for the late-December stretch), which can influence narrative and positioning into year-end. [23]
Intel often trades as both a semiconductor stock and a turnaround/capex story, so it can benefit when risk appetite improves—but it can also lag if investors prefer “clean” AI winners over “prove-it” stories.
The bull vs. bear setup into Monday: what’s really being priced
Bull case (what supporters are likely focusing on)
- Regulatory uncertainty reduced around Nvidia’s investment—potentially lowering one key obstacle to Intel’s broader funding and partnership strategy. [24]
- The original Nvidia-Intel partnership narrative still implies strategic upside if Intel can translate collaboration into durable product cycles and manufacturing wins. [25]
- With Intel still well below its early-December high, bulls can argue the stock has room if catalysts keep arriving. [26]
Bear case (what skeptics are likely highlighting)
- Analyst targets are not uniformly supportive. Some consensus readings still sit below the current price, implying downside risk if execution disappoints or if the market de-risks into year-end. [27]
- Intel’s story remains vulnerable to headline risk. Recent Reuters reporting has included scrutiny of leadership and governance issues, which can pressure sentiment even when the product/foundry narrative improves. [28]
- Policy and national-security concerns around the supply chain remain a live theme; Reuters recently reported on U.S. lawmakers criticizing Intel’s testing of certain China-linked tools after a prior Reuters report. [29]
Bottom line: what investors should know right now
Intel stock’s after-hours strength on Dec. 19 is closely tied to one big development: the FTC/antitrust clearance for Nvidia’s planned $5 billion investment—a headline that removes uncertainty but also shifts the market’s attention back to execution. [30]
Before the next market open, the main variables to watch are:
- whether the stock holds above $37 in extended-hours indications and into Monday’s session [31]
- whether follow-up disclosures add clarity on the Nvidia transaction timeline [32]
- how Intel trades as the market heads into a holiday-shortened week, when liquidity can thin and volatility can rise [33]
- whether the Street’s mixed forecast picture begins to converge—either via upgrades, new price targets, or clearer fundamental evidence [34]
References
1. www.marketwatch.com, 2. apnews.com, 3. www.marketwatch.com, 4. www.marketwatch.com, 5. www.marketwatch.com, 6. www.marketwatch.com, 7. www.reuters.com, 8. www.reuters.com, 9. www.reuters.com, 10. www.reuters.com, 11. www.marketwatch.com, 12. www.investors.com, 13. www.marketbeat.com, 14. www.marketbeat.com, 15. www.tipranks.com, 16. www.reuters.com, 17. www.marketwatch.com, 18. www.marketbeat.com, 19. www.marketwatch.com, 20. www.nasdaqtrader.com, 21. www.nyse.com, 22. apnews.com, 23. www.reuters.com, 24. www.reuters.com, 25. www.reuters.com, 26. www.marketwatch.com, 27. www.marketbeat.com, 28. www.reuters.com, 29. www.reuters.com, 30. www.reuters.com, 31. www.marketwatch.com, 32. www.reuters.com, 33. www.nasdaqtrader.com, 34. www.marketbeat.com
