Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) Shares Up 8.8% – Here’s Why

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)’s share price traded up 8.8% during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $48.77 and last traded at $48.03. 129,004,558 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 20% from the average session volume of 107,694,742 shares. The stock had previously closed at $44.13.

Trending Headlines about Intel

Here are the key news stories impacting Intel this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Intel will buy back Apollo Global Management’s 49% stake in Fab 34 (Leixlip, Ireland) for $14.2B — restoring full ownership of an AI-focused manufacturing facility and signaling management’s confidence in demand for AI chips. Intel shares jump 9% after buying back Ireland chip fab
• Positive Sentiment: Street reaction and buy-side commentary pushed shares up; some brokers are recommending buying into the move as the repurchase underscores a cleaner capital structure for fabs and better unit economics for AI workloads. Intel jumps 9% on repurchase of Ireland fab
• Positive Sentiment: Options and positioning show bullish interest — unusually large near-term put activity has been interpreted by some traders as contrarian bullish sentiment (investors buying downside protection or signaling a bottom). Intel Has Unusual Put Option Volume
• Positive Sentiment: Corporate PR / ESG: Intel partnered on an AI-powered school lab in Ghana, a positive PR and market-development item (minor near-term impact but supports brand and global adoption narratives). Intel commissions AI computer lab in Ghana
• Neutral Sentiment: Intel has an upcoming Q1 earnings report scheduled later this month — the repurchase sets a tone but upcoming results and guidance will still be primary drivers for near-term moves. Intel to Report First-Quarter 2026 Financial Results
• Neutral Sentiment: Market noise: there were false merger rumors and an April Fool’s prank earlier in the session that created extra volatility; ignore unverified merger reports. Don’t Freak Out. AMD Is NOT Buying Intel
• Negative Sentiment: Financing the deal: reports say Intel will use cash on hand plus proceeds from a new debt issuance — the $14.2B outlay increases near-term cash outflows and will add leverage, which investors should monitor for capital allocation and rating impacts. Intel to Buy Back Apollo’s Stake in Ireland Fab 34 for $14.2 Billion
• Negative Sentiment: Execution & valuation risks remain — Intel still faces margin, earnings and execution uncertainty (recent quarters showed revenue declines and mixed profitability), so the repurchase is a strategic vote of confidence but does not eliminate near-term operational risk. Intel’s Quarterly Earnings Preview

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

INTC has been the subject of several analyst reports. Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price objective on shares of Intel from $40.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, January 16th. HSBC upgraded shares of Intel from a “reduce” rating to a “hold” rating and increased their target price for the stock from $26.00 to $50.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Wedbush reissued a “neutral” rating and set a $30.00 price target on shares of Intel in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein restated a “neutral” rating on shares of Intel in a research note on Tuesday, February 17th. Finally, UBS Group set a $51.00 price objective on Intel in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twenty-six have issued a Hold rating and six have assigned a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, Intel presently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average price target of $45.74.

Intel Stock Up 8.8%

The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $46.22 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $40.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $239.91 billion, a P/E ratio of -600.30, a PEG ratio of 17.65 and a beta of 1.37. The company has a quick ratio of 1.65, a current ratio of 2.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The chip maker reported $0.15 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.08 by $0.07. Intel had a negative return on equity of 0.44% and a negative net margin of 0.51%.The company had revenue of $13.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.37 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.13 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Intel has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.000-0.000 EPS. On average, equities research analysts expect that Intel Corporation will post -0.11 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Transactions at Intel

In related news, EVP David Zinsner purchased 5,882 shares of Intel stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 26th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $42.50 per share, for a total transaction of $249,985.00. Following the purchase, the executive vice president owned 247,392 shares in the company, valued at approximately $10,514,160. This trade represents a 2.44% increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Boise April Miller sold 20,000 shares of Intel stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.05, for a total transaction of $981,000.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 113,060 shares in the company, valued at $5,545,593. This trade represents a 15.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders own 0.04% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Intel

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Financially Speaking Inc increased its holdings in shares of Intel by 69.2% during the fourth quarter. Financially Speaking Inc now owns 682 shares of the chip maker’s stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 279 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Bridge LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Intel during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in Intel during the 4th quarter worth $29,000. Swiss RE Ltd. acquired a new position in Intel in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Osbon Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Intel in the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.53% of the company’s stock.

Intel Company Profile

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.