New York, Jan 23, 2026, 12:52 EST — Regular session
- AMD shares climbed roughly 2% after Intel’s outlook sparked renewed speculation about shifts in data-center chip market share
- AMD’s rally stretched to its longest winning streak in almost six years, despite no fresh company-specific headlines
- Ahead of AMD’s earnings report due Feb. 3 after the close, investors are adjusting their positions
Shares of Advanced Micro Devices rose Friday after Intel flagged challenges in keeping up with demand for server chips powering AI data centers. AMD gained 1.9%, hitting $258.50 by midday trading.
This matters because data centers are snapping up more general-purpose server CPUs—the main processors handling most workloads—to pair with GPUs, which tackle much of the AI computation. If Intel can’t deliver enough units, those orders won’t hang around. 1
AMD’s momentum is accompanied by a ticking clock. The firm will release its fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year results on Feb. 3 after markets close, followed by a conference call at 5 p.m. EST. 2
The stock has been climbing steadily. AMD has posted gains for eight consecutive sessions, marking its longest winning streak since early 2020, according to Dow Jones Market Data referenced by MarketWatch. 3
Intel shares dropped steeply in regular trading after the company predicted first-quarter revenue and profit would fall short of Wall Street expectations. It also admitted to being blindsided by a surge in demand for server processors. “In the short term, I’m disappointed that we are not able to fully meet the demand in our markets,” CEO Lip-Bu Tan told analysts on a call, Reuters reported. 1
Intel dropped 16.7% on Friday, whereas Nvidia climbed 1.7%.
The chip sector showed a mixed picture. The iShares Semiconductor ETF dropped 1.3%, while the VanEck Semiconductor ETF edged down 0.7%, despite notable moves in some major individual stocks.
Some investors see AMD’s rally as a straightforward bet: with Intel facing supply constraints, AMD’s server segment enjoys less competition. This week brought few new AMD updates. Barron’s noted that AMD’s gains have come before the company has reported earnings, driven largely by expectations around AI-related demand. 4
But here’s the snag. If Intel accelerates supply more than anticipated — or if clients scale back data-center expansions — the trade could reverse sharply. Chip stocks haven’t been cheap either. The Financial Times reported that Intel flagged constraints and rising costs linked to ramping up its next-gen manufacturing tech, a timely reminder that execution can shift the narrative quickly. 5
Investors are gearing up for AMD’s Feb. 3 earnings report, with a sharp focus on any updates about data-center demand. At the same time, the Federal Reserve’s Jan. 27-28 meeting looms large, potentially shifting rate expectations and impacting the valuation landscape for high-growth tech stocks. 6
