NEW YORK, Jan 19, 2026, 18:59 EST — Market closed.
- Intel shares fell 2.8% at Friday’s close as investors braced for the company’s quarterly report due later this week.
- Wall Street resumes trading Tuesday following the U.S. holiday, with chip stocks drawing attention amid trade news.
- Investors are gearing up for Intel’s Jan. 22 earnings report and what it reveals about the company’s foundry ambitions.
Intel Corp shares closed down 2.8% at $46.96 on Friday, swinging between $46.73 and $50.15 on roughly 127 million shares traded. U.S. markets were shut Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and will reopen Tuesday. (NYSE)
Santa Clara chip giant Intel is set to release its Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings after markets close on Thursday, Jan. 22. The company will hold an earnings call at 2 p.m. PT that same day. (Intel Corporation)
Timing is crucial. Intel’s stock has been moving as if investors are voting on the company’s ability to stabilize its main PC and server operations while pouring money into expanding its contract chip manufacturing.
The contract side — a “foundry,” which means it manufactures chips for other companies — has turned into a key swing factor for the stock. Investors are pushing for evidence it can attract new clients without burning through cash for years on end.
Analysts are easing up on their bearish stance ahead of the report. Citi bumped Intel from “Sell” to “Neutral,” putting a $50 price target on the stock, according to Barchart. Analyst Atif Malik highlighted Intel’s “unique window of opportunity” to draw in foundry wafer clients. (Barchart)
KeyBanc’s John Vinh bumped Intel to “Overweight,” assigning a $60 price target based on strides in the foundry segment, according to TradingView News. Price targets reflect where analysts expect the stock to land, typically within a year. (TradingView)
Macro risk has returned to the spotlight. Global equities slipped and U.S. index futures dipped following President Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs on multiple European countries, shaking investor confidence. George Lagarias, chief economist at Forvis Mazars, commented, “It’s highly likely the White House will use the threat of tariffs consistently.” (Reuters)
Chip stocks often react sharply to trade threats, given their global supply chains. The sector also leans heavily on consumer electronics and corporate IT spending, which can tighten swiftly amid rising uncertainty.
Shares of ASML and other European semiconductor firms dropped amid worries that fresh tariffs might hit equipment shipments and disrupt chip supply chains. This could ripple through to U.S. chipmakers like Intel, Barron’s reported.
The real trigger for Intel’s bulls and bears remains closer to home. Any cautious signals on margins, demand, or foundry spending could quickly dampen recent optimism—especially with markets still jittery over trade news.
Tuesday brings the U.S. stock reopening, followed by Intel’s earnings and guidance after the market closes on Jan. 22. The company’s management will hold a conference call at 2 p.m. PT.
