New York, Jan 28, 2026, 09:25 EST — Premarket
- Intel shares climb 3.4% in premarket, mirroring a broader rally in chip stocks
- ASML reports record-breaking orders, while SK Hynix posts unprecedented profits as AI-driven demand shakes up the semiconductor sector
- Traders are adjusting positions ahead of Wednesday’s Fed decision and a slew of Big Tech earnings reports
Intel shares gained 3.4%, climbing to $43.93 in premarket trading Wednesday.
Chip stocks kicked off the session strong: Nvidia climbed 1.9%, Micron surged 4%, and Microchip Technology jumped 6.5%. Market watchers cited new data from SK Hynix and ASML as key drivers. Investors are also gearing up for the Federal Reserve’s rate announcement later, plus earnings reports from Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Tesla after the bell.
Why it matters now: Intel serves as a high-beta indicator for the AI buildout’s impact on supply chain orders. When the broader market shifts, Intel’s stock usually moves in tandem.
ASML, the leading global supplier of chipmaking equipment, posted record fourth-quarter bookings of 13.2 billion euros, a key indicator of new orders. The company also raised its sales forecast for 2026. CEO Christophe Fouquet highlighted that client capacity expansions are directly driving order growth, noting Micron’s recent expansion moves are already reflected in ASML’s order pipeline.
SK Hynix, a major Nvidia supplier, posted a record quarterly profit and signaled that the AI surge will keep memory chip demand growing fast. The firm also revealed its largest share cancellation to date, which lifted its stock by 9% in after-hours trading.
Intel’s CFO, David Zinsner, bought 5,882 shares on the open market at $42.50 each on Jan. 26, according to a recent Form 4 filing.
The stock is still digesting last week’s steep slide after Intel warned it can’t meet AI-driven demand for data-center chips despite running its factories full tilt. CEO Lip-Bu Tan also mentioned that two potential foundry clients are still in the evaluation phase for Intel’s upcoming 14A manufacturing process. TD Cowen analysts said the earlier rally was fueled more by “the dream” than by near-term fundamentals. Reuters
But the rebound might not last. If AI capex dims or Intel’s bottlenecks persist beyond forecasts, investors could quickly turn wary—especially with interest rate outlooks still a factor.
The Federal Reserve is set to hold interest rates steady on Wednesday. Investors will closely analyze Chair Jerome Powell’s comments for hints on the duration of the current tight policy.
Next on the docket: the Fed’s decision Wednesday, followed by Big Tech earnings after the bell — a key test for whether AI investment is still driving demand for chip stocks.
