New York, Jan 8, 2026, 06:32 EST — Premarket
- Intel shares rose about 6.4% in premarket trading to $42.63, after closing near $40.06
- Intel has been touting its first laptop processors built on its new “18A” manufacturing process at CES
- Investors are watching for Jan. 22 results and outlook to test whether the product push translates into demand
Intel shares (INTC.O) jumped about 6.4% in premarket trading on Thursday to $42.63, extending a CES-fuelled rally after the company laid out new laptop processors built on its 18A manufacturing process. Intel late Wednesday set Jan. 22 for quarterly results, after the stock closed at about $40.06.
The move keeps attention on whether Intel can turn 18A into a high-volume platform for PCs and, eventually, a base for its foundry push — contract chipmaking for other companies. Traders will be looking for follow-through into the cash session after the stock’s sharp move a day earlier.
Intel said its top Core Ultra Series 3 chips can deliver up to 60% better multithread performance, more than 77% faster gaming performance and up to 27 hours of battery life, based on its own measurements. Pre-orders begin this week, and the company expects more than 200 laptop designs from PC makers over time. “We are so excited to partner with Intel on the launch of Series 3,” said Hélio Bruck Rotenberg, president of Positivo Tecnologia. Newsroom
Bulls argue the product timing matters because Intel’s foundry ambitions — and the spending tied to them — hinge on proving the technology can scale beyond lab wins. “As we go throughout 2026, we’ll hear more good news about their future foundry prospects,” Ben Reitzes, head of technology research at Melius Research, told CNBC. Investopedia
Intel said it will report fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results after the market close on Jan. 22 and will host an earnings call at 2 p.m. PT that day. Investors are likely to focus on guidance, the pace of 18A rollout and any early read on demand for the new PC chips.
Intel’s CES press kit said Core Ultra Series 3 mobile processors will be available starting Jan. 27 through online, in-store and OEM storefronts. That gives traders a near-term checkpoint for whether the CES showcase turns into shipments as PC makers market a new wave of “AI PCs” — laptops designed to run some AI features on the device. Newsroom
But the run-up leaves little room for a stumble. A slower ramp, cautious guidance or signs rivals are holding share could cool the bid quickly, especially if investors decide the CES headlines got ahead of near-term revenue.
Next up is Intel’s Jan. 22 report and conference call, where any detail on 18A production progress and demand trends is likely to set the tone for the stock into the following session.
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