Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) Stock Price Up 2.1% - Time to Buy?

Key Points

• Intel shares rose 2.1% in mid-day trading, touching an intraday high of $100.98 before last trading at $97.06. Trading volume was lighter than usual, with about 89.2 million shares changing hands.
• Investor sentiment was helped by reports that Intel may pursue additional layoffs and cost cuts, which market participants see as a way to improve margins and streamline operations. Optimism was also supported by signs of improving server demand, better pricing, and progress at Intel Foundry.
• Despite the upbeat news, analysts remain split ahead of earnings, with some warning that Intel’s valuation could make the stock vulnerable if results or guidance disappoint. The consensus rating is Hold, with an average target price of $102.77.

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC - Get Free Report) shares were up 2.1% during mid-day trading on Monday . The company traded as high as $100.98 and last traded at $97.06. Approximately 89,171,284 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 26% from the average daily volume of 120,614,602 shares. The stock had previously closed at $95.04.

Key Stories Impacting Intel

Here are the key news stories impacting Intel this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Intel is getting a lift from reports that it is considering additional layoffs and cost cuts, which investors appear to view as another step toward improving margins and streamlining operations. Intel Stock NASDAQ: INTC Jumps With New Layoff Plans
• Positive Sentiment: Wedbush said Intel could beat second-quarter expectations, citing improving server demand, better pricing, and margin recovery, which is supporting optimism ahead of results. Intel positioned for earnings upside as Wedbush highlights server demand and margin recovery
• Positive Sentiment: ASML’s confirmation that Intel Foundry is now using its lithography machines was seen as evidence of operational progress, reinforcing hopes that Intel’s manufacturing turnaround is gaining traction. INTC Stock Prepares for Liftoff as ASML Confirms ‘Intel Foundry Is Now Using Its Lithography Machines’
• Positive Sentiment: Intel is also benefiting from broader semiconductor strength and a rebound in tech futures as markets brace for a heavy earnings week that includes Intel, Alphabet, and Tesla. Semiconductor Stocks Rebound as Alphabet (GOOGL), Tesla (TSLA), and Intel (INTC) Earnings Approach
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and media coverage continue to frame Intel’s earnings as a major volatility event, with options markets pricing in a large post-earnings move and Wall Street estimates centered around modest Q2 results. Huge, Unusual Intel Options Volume Today Ahead of Earnings This Week
• Negative Sentiment: Some analysts remain cautious, warning that Intel’s rich valuation leaves the stock vulnerable to a sentiment shift if earnings or guidance fail to impress. Intel set to beat but valuation leaves it exposed to sentiment swings
• Negative Sentiment: Other commentary suggests the stock has recently lost momentum and could be at risk of further downside if Q2 results disappoint or the market rotates away from chip names. Intel stock could be at risk of hitting $75 as Q2 earnings loom

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on INTC shares. Piper Sandler initiated coverage on Intel in a research report on Thursday, June 11th. They set a "neutral" rating on the stock. Oppenheimer started coverage on shares of Intel in a report on Thursday, June 11th. They issued an "outperform" rating for the company. Benchmark boosted their target price on shares of Intel from $105.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, May 18th. Moffett Nathanson downgraded Intel to a "neutral" rating in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. Finally, Citigroup upgraded shares of Intel from a "buy" rating to a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, twenty-nine have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $102.77.

Intel Price Performance

The company has a current ratio of 2.31, a quick ratio of 1.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The stock has a market capitalization of $487.82 billion, a PE ratio of -156.55 and a beta of 2.18. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $117.79 and a 200 day moving average price of $76.18.

Intel (NASDAQ:INTC - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The chip maker reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.01 by $0.28. The company had revenue of $13.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.32 billion. Intel had a negative net margin of 5.90% and a positive return on equity of 0.39%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.13 EPS. Intel has set its Q2 2026 guidance at 0.200-0.200 EPS. Research analysts anticipate that Intel Corporation will post 0.65 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Boise April Miller sold 40,256 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.53, for a total value of $4,006,679.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 105,077 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $10,458,313.81. This trade represents a 27.70% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.05% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Intel

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in INTC. Sivia Capital Partners LLC raised its position in shares of Intel by 271.7% in the 2nd quarter. Sivia Capital Partners LLC now owns 34,201 shares of the chip maker's stock worth $766,000 after acquiring an additional 25,001 shares in the last quarter. United Bank purchased a new position in Intel in the second quarter valued at about $205,000. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL raised its holdings in Intel by 12.3% in the second quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 13,737 shares of the chip maker's stock worth $308,000 after purchasing an additional 1,508 shares in the last quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Intel by 29.6% in the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 158,277 shares of the chip maker's stock worth $3,545,000 after purchasing an additional 36,116 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sei Investments Co. lifted its position in shares of Intel by 9.9% during the second quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 828,352 shares of the chip maker's stock valued at $18,556,000 after buying an additional 74,838 shares during the last quarter. 64.53% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Intel

Intel Corporation, founded in 1968 by Robert Noyce and Gordon E. Moore and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is a leading global designer and manufacturer of semiconductor products. The company is historically notable for introducing the first commercial microprocessor and for driving the x86 architecture that underpins many personal computers and servers. Intel's core business spans the design, fabrication and marketing of processors, chipsets and related components for a wide range of computing applications.

Intel's product portfolio includes client and mobile processors marketed under brands such as Intel Core and Pentium, as well as high-performance Xeon processors for data centers and cloud infrastructure.

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