Intel stock slips as analyst tone shifts ahead of earnings

New York, Jan 16, 2026, 09:41 EST — Regular session

Shares of Intel Corp (INTC) slipped 0.8% to $48.32 in early Friday trading, hitting the brakes after a strong rally earlier this year.

The pullback arrives as investors debate if the upbeat sentiment around Intel’s turnaround can last until next week’s earnings, with a focus on its contract chipmaking efforts. Intel has surged 31% in 2026, but some money managers note a sharp shift in mood. “It’s back from the dead,” said Kim Forrest, chief investment officer at Bokeh Capital Partners. (The Business Times)

Citi raised Intel to Neutral from Sell and bumped its price target to $50 from $29, citing “tightness” in advanced packaging supply at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Advanced packaging, the process that connects multiple chiplets into a finished processor, is under pressure. (TipRanks)

RBC Capital’s Srini Pajjuri kicked off coverage with a Sector Perform rating and set a $50 price target. He praised management for a “commendable job” but warned of short-term challenges. Higher memory prices and supply constraints could weigh on revenue and margins, he noted. Manufacturing yield visibility also remains uncertain. (TipRanks)

Intel’s move comes as chip stocks rally this week following TSMC’s positive outlook on growth and its announcement to boost U.S. manufacturing capacity, sparking a lift in sector sentiment. (Reuters)

For Intel, the focus isn’t just on a single quarter — it’s about delivering proof. Bulls are looking for stronger signals that it can secure and sustain outsourced manufacturing deals against bigger contract chipmakers, all while maintaining healthy profits.

Intel plans to release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings after markets close on Jan. 22, followed by a conference call at 2 p.m. PT. (Intc)

Still, the situation is double-edged. A slip in margins or a weak update from external foundry clients might shake a stock that’s already moved swiftly.

U.S. markets will be closed Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, paving the way for a shortened week packed with earnings reports, especially in tech and other sectors. (Reuters)

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