New York, Jan 22, 2026, 09:41 EST — Regular session
- Intel shares dipped roughly 2% in early trading, following a Wednesday close at $54.25.
- After a sharp rally, all eyes turn to the report due after the bell, with expectations now elevated.
- Investors are focused on Intel’s guidance for data-center demand and progress in its contract chipmaking efforts.
Intel’s stock dipped in early Thursday trading, retracing part of the gains from the day before the company’s earnings release. By 9:38 a.m. ET, shares had dropped 1.9% to $53.21, after finishing Wednesday at $54.25. (Google)
The next few hours are crucial as Intel’s rally has shifted expectations. Traders want to see if the chipmaker can boost demand for its core server and PC chips while addressing manufacturing execution issues.
Intel jumped 11.7% on Wednesday, closing at $54.25 — a peak not seen since January 2022 — and has surged 47% so far this year, MarketWatch reported. With gains like that, a cautious stance feels almost outdated. (MarketWatch)
Recent analyst notes highlight a pickup in demand for Intel’s server CPUs—the core chips powering data centers—as AI spending remains robust. HSBC, KeyBanc, and Wedbush have all raised the odds that Intel’s upcoming results or guidance will beat expectations, according to Investopedia.
Derivatives traders are gearing up for a shake-up. Options pricing points to an earnings move around 8.8%, signaling the expected range of post-report volatility, according to a Motley Fool column featured on Nasdaq.com. (Nasdaq)
CEO Lip-Bu Tan has turned to big outside investments to steer Intel’s manufacturing and AI strategy, including $5 billion from Nvidia and $2 billion from SoftBank, Reuters reports. “It’s the most optimistic … people have felt about the company in a long time,” said Ryuta Makino of Gabelli Funds. LSEG data show analysts expect Intel’s data-center sales to jump more than 30% to $4.43 billion in the December quarter. Still, Intel continues to lose PC market share to AMD and Arm, while weak manufacturing yields—the proportion of usable chips per wafer—have pressured margins, Reuters adds. (Reuters)
Not everyone on the Street is buying the hype. Susquehanna’s Christopher Rolland bumped his price target to $45 from $40 but held firm on a neutral rating, Barron’s noted. His main hang-up: the foundry segment, where Intel makes chips for other companies, still carries big question marks. (Barron’s)
Intel plans to release its fourth-quarter results after Thursday’s market close, with a conference call set for 2 p.m. Pacific time, the company announced. Investors will focus on updates about data-center demand, insights on the upcoming “Panther Lake” PC launch, and whether Intel can attract new clients for its foundry and advanced packaging businesses. (Intel Corporation)
