New York, Jan 27, 2026, 08:52 EST — Premarket
- Intel shares climbed roughly 3% in premarket, bouncing back from a steep decline the day before
- Since Intel warned of supply issues and a weak first-quarter forecast last week, the stock has seen significant volatility
- Traders are focused on Wednesday’s Fed decision and chip-sector earnings for clues on demand
Intel (INTC) shares jumped 3.4% to $43.95 in premarket trading Tuesday, recovering part of the losses from a sharp drop the day before. 1
The bounce may be modest, but its timing is crucial. Intel’s stock now serves as a fast barometer for how much investors are willing to bet on semiconductor turnarounds, despite messy near-term results.
This week is crucial for risk assets overall, as the Federal Reserve is set to keep rates unchanged on Wednesday, while a handful of megacap tech companies will release earnings later in the week. Chip stocks often react sharply to this combo, since data-center spending can shift fast in response to rate decisions and earnings reports. 2
Intel ended Monday’s session down 5.72%, closing at $42.49 after dipping to $42.28 earlier. The stock was still feeling the impact of Friday’s sharp 17.03% plunge. Since closing at $54.32 on January 22, shares have fallen about 22%. 3
The sell-off kicked off last week when Intel projected first-quarter revenue between $11.7 billion and $12.7 billion, with adjusted earnings per share expected to hover around break-even. CEO Lip-Bu Tan told analysts, “In the short term, I’m disappointed that we are not able to fully meet the demand in our markets.” CFO David Zinsner added that customers were “a little bit caught off guard” by the sudden rush to upgrade data-center systems. 4
Several analysts suggested the stock’s surge ahead of earnings outpaced underlying fundamentals. TD Cowen called the rally a play on “the dream” instead of short-term reality. Jefferies and Oppenheimer highlighted easing supply constraints expected in the second quarter. 5
Intel is pushing its PC revival alongside its data-center ambitions. It announced systems featuring its Core Ultra Series 3 processors, known as “Panther Lake,” will hit the global market starting Jan. 27. 6
Chip stocks held steady early Tuesday despite mixed signals from index futures. Health insurers took a hit following a proposed update to Medicare Advantage rates. Investors are bracing for a busy stretch of earnings reports and policy announcements. 7
After the bell, investors will zero in on Texas Instruments’ earnings report, adding another piece to the semiconductor puzzle. Intel, among the earliest big chipmakers to release results this quarter, set the stage. Now, fresh guidance from TI could shift the outlook for the sector. 8
However, the recovery might stall if Intel’s supply issues drag on beyond their projections or if rising component prices hit PC sales. The company is pushing to scale up its 18A manufacturing tech and boost yields—the percentage of viable chips per wafer—while battling AMD and relying more on external foundries for some product lines. 9
Wednesday’s Fed decision stands as the next major catalyst for the stock, with the potential to alter risk appetite across the Nasdaq and semiconductor sectors. It will also test if Tuesday’s premarket bounce can hold up when regular trading begins.
