Key Takeaways
- Intel’s latest quarterly results are set to be released Thursday afternoon, with options traders anticipating its stock could swing up to 12% in either direction by the end of the week.
- Analysts expect Intel to report growing revenue and profits, as the chipmaker’s sales have been boosted by AI demand in recent quarters.
Intel is slated to report earnings after the closing bell Thursday, with traders anticipating a sizable move from the chipmaker’s stock following the results.
Based on recent options pricing, traders expect Intel (INTC) shares could swing up to 12% in either direction by the end of the week. A move of that size from Monday’s close could see the shares rebound close to $109, where they were earlier this month, or drag them below $86.
Intel shares have soared more than 160% since the start of the year amid speculation about new deals after a flurry of high-profile agreements and better-than-expected results, though they’ve slipped over 30% from last month’s highs after a broader pullback in the AI trade in recent weeks.
Why This Matters to Investors
Intel stock has been volatile lately, along with other semiconductor stocks, amid some worries about the sustainability of the tech industry’s spending on AI.
UBS analysts recently lifted their price target for Intel to $121 from $83, telling clients they see strong demand for Intel’s data center hardware potentially supporting higher prices. The analysts said they expect investors to be watching for updates from Intel on its manufacturing capabilities, as well as potential new customers for Intel’s foundry business.
Intel is projected to report second-quarter revenue of $14.44 billion, up about 12% year-over-year, according to estimates compiled by Visible Alpha. Adjusted earnings per share are seen coming in at 22 cents, up from an adjusted loss of 10 cents per share a year ago, when newly appointed CEO Lip Bu-Tan was in the midst of launching a turnaround plan for the chipmaker.
Amid lingering uncertainty around Intel’s turnaround, a number of Wall Street analysts have hesitated to recommend buying the stock. Of the eight analysts tracked by Visible Alpha, four have called it a “buy,” while four have maintained neutral ratings. Their mean price target of $128 would suggest upside of more than 30% from Monday’s close, bringing the stock back near last month’s record.
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