Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) ended Wednesday’s session sharply lower—then steadied slightly in after-hours trading—after a risk-off day for technology and semiconductors collided with fresh Washington scrutiny over chipmaking tools and new attention on Intel’s longer-term manufacturing roadmap.
Below is a full after-the-bell recap for Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, plus the key catalysts to watch before the opening bell on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025—including major U.S. inflation data due before the market opens.
Intel stock after the bell: the numbers investors are watching tonight
Intel shares closed at $36.05, down about 3.4% on the day, extending a multi-session slide and underperforming the broader market. Trading volume was notably lighter than typical for INTC, suggesting many investors are waiting for the next catalyst rather than chasing moves into year-end. [1]
In after-hours trading, INTC ticked up to around $36.22 (about +0.5% from the close as of the latest published after-hours snapshot). [2]
What that means in plain English: the after-hours bounce is modest—more “stabilization” than “reversal.” For many traders, the bigger directional decision likely comes with tomorrow morning’s macro data and any additional Intel-specific headlines overnight.
Why Intel stock fell today: the tech tape turned risk-off—fast
Intel didn’t trade in isolation on Wednesday. U.S. stocks fell broadly, but the pressure was concentrated in the AI and semiconductor complex, with major chip names sliding as investors questioned the pace and payoff of AI-related capital spending.
Reuters reported that U.S. stocks hit three-week lows in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, with the session framed by “AI funding jitters” and a sharp drop in a broader chip index. [3]
For INTC holders, this matters because Intel is frequently treated as part of the same “semi risk basket” by systematic strategies—even though Intel’s story is also about foundry execution, product cycles, and government-backed manufacturing expansion.
The Intel headline driving debate tonight: lawmakers criticize testing of China-linked tools
A late-day, high-impact Intel-specific development came from Washington.
Reuters reported that Republican lawmakers criticized Intel after Reuters previously revealed the company was evaluating chipmaking tools produced by ACM Research, a supplier described as having deep ties to China and with overseas units sanctioned by the U.S. government. The report said the tools were tested for possible use in Intel’s most advanced manufacturing process, 14A. [4]
Key points from Reuters’ reporting that investors are likely weighing:
- Intel reiterated it is not using ACM tools in current chip production and said it complies with U.S. laws and regulations. [5]
- Reuters said it could not determine whether Intel decided to add the tools into the process and reported no evidence Intel violated U.S. regulations. [6]
- Lawmakers raised concerns ranging from national security to potential technology transfer and even sabotage risks, and called for legislation that could restrict Chinese equipment use by subsidy recipients. [7]
Why this matters for the stock: Intel is trying to re-establish U.S. manufacturing leadership while also relying on a complex global supply chain. If policymakers push for tighter sourcing restrictions, Intel’s vendor flexibility and cost structure could become a bigger investor focus—especially with foundry margins already under scrutiny.
The counterweight headline: Intel and ASML push High-NA EUV toward production reality
While Washington risk dominated the “headline risk” lane, Intel also received attention today for a milestone tied to its foundry roadmap.
Tech outlets reported that Intel installed and completed acceptance testing for ASML’s Twinscan EXE:5200B High-NA EUV tool, positioning it as a building block for Intel’s 14A process. Coverage highlighted that the tool is designed to move High-NA EUV beyond experimentation and toward production-scale capability, with performance figures such as 175 wafers per hour and very tight overlay accuracy cited in reporting. [8]
Why it matters for investors (and why it didn’t “save” the stock today):
- Positive long-term signal: It supports Intel’s “manufacturing comeback” narrative and the ambition to compete more directly on advanced nodes. [9]
- But the timeline is long: High-NA EUV’s real payoff is tied to 14A ramp timing and yields—execution items that won’t be proven in a single headline. [10]
- Capex sensitivity: High-end lithography tools are enormously expensive, so markets tend to demand evidence that improved manufacturing capability turns into customer wins and sustainable margins. [11]
Bottom line: today gave investors both a bullish roadmap datapoint and a politically charged sourcing controversy—while the overall tape punished chip stocks.
After-hours semiconductor catalyst: Micron’s blowout guidance could set the tone Thursday
One reason Intel stabilized after the close is that the semiconductor space got a major after-hours datapoint from another bellwether.
Reuters reported that Micron forecast second-quarter adjusted profit near double Wall Street expectations and guided revenue sharply above estimates, driven by AI data center demand and high-bandwidth memory dynamics. [12]
That matters for Intel—even though Intel is not a memory pure-play—because “semis are semis” in premarket risk-on/risk-off flows. Strong Micron guidance often lifts sentiment across the sector heading into the next session, at least initially. [13]
What to watch before the market opens Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025
If you only track one thing before the bell, it’s this: 8:30 a.m. ET is packed. Several high-volatility U.S. releases land at the same time—exactly when premarket liquidity can be thin and moves can overshoot.
1) 8:30 a.m. ET — U.S. CPI for November 2025 (BLS)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the Consumer Price Index for November 2025 is scheduled for Dec. 18, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. ET. [14]
One crucial nuance: BLS has noted that, due to the 2025 disruption in release schedules, the November CPI release and database update will not include certain 1‑month percent changes for November where October data are missing. [15]
Why CPI matters for Intel:
- A hotter-than-expected CPI can push yields up, which often pressures long-duration tech and semis.
- A cooler CPI can trigger relief buying—especially after a down day in chips.
2) 8:30 a.m. ET — Weekly jobless claims (DOL)
The U.S. unemployment insurance weekly claims release is typically published Thursday at 8:30 a.m. [16]
This release can move rates and index futures quickly, adding to the 8:30 a.m. volatility cluster.
3) 8:30 a.m. ET — Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia calendar lists the Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey release for Dec. 18, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. [17]
Manufacturing sentiment data can matter for cyclicals and semis, especially in a market already debating the durability of AI-driven capex.
4) Intel-specific calendar check: no scheduled Intel IR event tomorrow
Intel’s investor relations calendar currently lists no upcoming events scheduled. [18]
That doesn’t rule out headlines (policy, supply chain, analyst notes), but it suggests tomorrow’s early action is more likely macro-led unless new company news breaks.
Intel stock forecasts and analyst outlook: what today’s commentary is signaling
“Forecast” can mean two things for INTC right now: near-term trading expectations and longer-term valuation views. Today’s analyst commentary across the market is not uniform—and that divergence itself is a signal.
Street price targets are clustered around the high-30s, but the range is wide
Several market data services and analyst aggregations currently show Intel’s consensus target in the upper-$30s, with highs well above and lows well below—suggesting uncertainty about execution and competitive positioning. [19]
Bear-case commentary is still loud
A notable bearish view published today argued for a much lower fair value (a $26 target cited), reflecting ongoing concerns around Intel’s turnaround path. [20]
How to interpret that as a reader:
- If you’re bullish, the “case” is increasingly about manufacturing milestones + customer traction validating the foundry plan.
- If you’re bearish, the “case” is that milestones don’t automatically translate into profitability, share gains, or multiple expansion—and political/vendor constraints may raise costs or complexity.
Key levels and scenarios for Thursday’s open
Intel is currently well below its recent 52-week high, which puts extra focus on whether buyers defend the mid-$30s region.
- INTC is roughly 18% below its 52-week high of $44.02 (set earlier this month), putting it in a spot where rallies often need a clear catalyst. [21]
Three practical scenarios for tomorrow
- CPI comes in cooler than expected: semis could bounce broadly; Micron’s guidance could amplify a sector tailwind; INTC could participate even without new company news. [22]
- CPI comes in hot or sticky: yields could rise; semis could remain under pressure; INTC could retest recent support quickly. [23]
- Policy headlines intensify: if there are follow-on comments or legislative momentum around equipment sourcing, Intel could see stock-specific volatility regardless of CPI. [24]
The bottom line for Intel stock tonight
Intel’s after-hours trade looks like a pause after a rough session—not a decisive reversal. The market is juggling:
- Macro risk (CPI and rates at 8:30 a.m. ET) [25]
- Sector tone (Micron’s upside surprise and AI data-center demand read-through) [26]
- Company-specific headline risk (lawmakers criticizing China-linked tool testing) [27]
- Long-horizon execution narrative (High-NA EUV progress tied to the 14A roadmap) [28]
If you’re trading INTC into Thursday, the most realistic expectation is volatility around 8:30 a.m. ET and a market that may “vote” on Intel via the broader semiconductor tape unless a new Intel-specific headline hits overnight.
References
1. www.marketwatch.com, 2. finance.yahoo.com, 3. www.reuters.com, 4. www.reuters.com, 5. www.reuters.com, 6. www.reuters.com, 7. www.reuters.com, 8. www.tomshardware.com, 9. www.tomshardware.com, 10. hothardware.com, 11. hothardware.com, 12. www.reuters.com, 13. www.reuters.com, 14. www.bls.gov, 15. www.bls.gov, 16. oui.doleta.gov, 17. www.philadelphiafed.org, 18. www.intc.com, 19. www.investing.com, 20. www.forbes.com, 21. www.marketwatch.com, 22. www.reuters.com, 23. www.bls.gov, 24. www.reuters.com, 25. www.bls.gov, 26. www.reuters.com, 27. www.reuters.com, 28. www.tomshardware.com
