New York, Jan 20, 2026, 10:15 EST — Regular session
- Intel shares jumped roughly 5% following new analyst upgrades just before the earnings report
- Seaport issued a $65 target, pointing to potential gains in PC market share and advancements in Intel’s 18A process
- HSBC upgraded its rating to Hold and bumped its price target to $50, citing increased demand for server CPUs driven by “agentic AI”
Intel shares jumped 4.9% to $49.25 by mid-morning Tuesday, beating the broader U.S. market’s sluggish trend. Upgrades from HSBC and Seaport reignited interest in the chipmaker ahead of its earnings report.
The calls arrive just days ahead of Intel’s Q4 earnings report, set for after the market closes on Jan. 22. Investors want to see signs that the extended recovery in PCs, data centers, and contract chip production is finally reflected in the results. (Intel)
Options pricing indicates traders are gearing up for an 8.82% swing either way following the report, TipRanks noted, signaling expectations of a volatile demand and guidance update. (TipRanks)
Seaport Research Partners raised Intel’s rating to Buy from Neutral, assigning a $65 price target. Analyst Jay Goldberg highlighted the company’s potential to regain market share in both enterprise and consumer PCs. He called Intel’s 18A process “highly performant,” emphasizing the firm’s renewed competitiveness in leading-edge chip manufacturing. (Barron’s)
Seaport pointed to early hints of a PC rebound, noting Intel’s upcoming Panther Lake processors could provide a boost this year. The firm anticipates Intel will be the go-to for many external clients seeking advanced packaging — which involves merging multiple chips into a single module — especially as Taiwan Semiconductor’s limited capacity opens the door for competitors. (Investing)
HSBC’s Frank Lee bumped Intel from Reduce to Hold and lifted his price target sharply, from $26 up to $50. He pointed to growing demand for “agentic AI” — AI systems that operate more independently — as a catalyst for stronger sales of traditional server CPUs. Lee expects server shipments in 2026 to climb 15% to 20%, well above the Street’s 4% to 6% forecast. He also noted there’s “further DCAI upside still not fully priced in.” (Streetinsider)
Intel’s action bucked the trend. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 ETFs both dropped roughly 1.4%, with the iShares semiconductor ETF holding steady. AMD climbed about 0.9%, Nvidia tumbled 3.4%, and Taiwan Semiconductor slipped around 1.8%.
Investors are closely monitoring Intel’s ability to stabilize its core CPU business while expanding into the “foundry” sector — making chips on contract for other firms — a market largely controlled by Taiwan Semiconductor.
But the upside depends heavily on execution: delays in manufacturing, disappointing guidance, or evidence that customers prefer competitors could rapidly erode the stock’s recent gains, particularly since the foundry business remains expensive to operate.
The next key event is the Jan. 22 report and conference call. Intel’s guidance for PCs and data centers, along with any updates on 18A readiness and external foundry clients, will probably shape the mood heading into next week.
