New York, Jan 20, 2026, 16:46 EST — After-hours
- Intel climbed in late trading following two Wall Street upgrades.
- Analysts highlighted stronger demand for server CPUs alongside Intel’s initial gains in its chipmaking efforts.
- Attention turns to Intel’s results and guidance due January 22.
Intel Corp shares climbed roughly 3.5% in after-hours to $48.56, following a day where prices fluctuated between $45.88 and $50.22.
The move came after upgrades from HSBC and Seaport Research Partners, highlighting stronger demand for Intel’s server chips and a more stable outlook for its contract chipmaking segment. Seaport bumped its rating to buy, setting a $65 target, while HSBC shifted to hold and lifted its target to $50. (Investing)
The announcement comes just two days before Intel is set to release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results after U.S. markets close Thursday. Given the stock’s recent volatility, traders have focused heavily on the company’s 2026 outlook instead of past performance. (Intel Corporation)
HSBC analyst Frank Lee had been cautious due to “overall uncertainty” around Intel’s foundry execution and unclear growth drivers. But he’s upgraded his rating, now expecting the company’s data center business to gain traction. “We now turn more positive as we expect the traditional servers (DCAI) to get back on a growth trajectory,” Lee said, referencing Intel’s data center and AI unit. (Streetinsider)
Lee linked this outlook to what he called “agentic AI,” describing systems capable of planning and carrying out tasks with minimal human input. He suggested this shift could boost demand for general-purpose server chips. “As AI evolves from basic assistants to autonomous agents that plan and execute tasks, the need for general-purpose compute is speeding up,” he noted. (MarketWatch)
Seaport analyst Jay Goldberg upgraded Intel to buy, highlighting the company’s upcoming Panther Lake chips, which use its 18A manufacturing process. He said these could boost Intel’s market share and restore trust with customers. “18A is highly performant, meaning that Intel is competitive (or at least viable) again in manufacturing,” Goldberg noted, though he warned the foundry business still faces significant challenges. (Barron’s)
Intel showed resilience as the broader market slipped. The S&P 500 tracker SPY and Nasdaq 100 tracker QQQ each dropped just over 2% in late trading.
Chip stocks drifted mostly lower. The VanEck Semiconductor ETF dropped roughly 2.5%, Nvidia tumbled over 4%, and U.S.-listed TSMC also slid more than 4%. AMD, however, held steady with little movement.
Still, these upgrades don’t resolve the bigger question: can Intel translate stronger demand into consistent margins while cutting losses in its manufacturing division? Any hint of softer guidance, delays in launching new products, or ongoing execution problems could weigh heavily on the stock after its recent gains.
Thursday brings Intel’s earnings report and conference call at 2 p.m. PT. Investors will zero in on details about server demand, updates on the Panther Lake launch, and any clear signs of progress with Intel Foundry. (Intel Corporation)
