Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) Releases Quarterly Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.28 EPS
by Jessica Moore · The Cerbat GemIntel (NASDAQ:INTC – Get Free Report) issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday. The chip maker reported $0.29 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.01 by $0.28, FiscalAI reports. The business had revenue of $13.58 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $12.32 billion. Intel had a negative net margin of 0.51% and a negative return on equity of 0.44%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $0.13 earnings per share. Intel updated its Q2 2026 guidance to 0.200-0.200 EPS.
Here are the key takeaways from Intel’s conference call:
- Intel beat Q1 expectations with $13.6 billion revenue, a 41% non‑GAAP gross margin and $0.29 EPS, while AI‑related businesses now represent 60% of revenue and grew 40% year‑over‑year.
- Product ramps are accelerating — Intel 3‑based Xeon 6 and 18A‑based Core Series 3 are in full volume ramp (the fastest in five years) and multiple LTAs including Google signal sustained server CPU demand.
- Foundry and advanced packaging show steady technical progress (improving Intel 18A and 14A yields and growing packaging backlog), but external foundry revenue remains small ($174M) and the Foundry segment still posted a $2.4B operating loss this quarter.
- Cash and cost pressures — adjusted free cash flow was ‑$2B in Q1, Intel funded the Fab 34 buyout with ~$7.7B cash and $6.5B debt, tool spend is up ~25% and rising input costs (memory, substrates) are a potential gross‑margin headwind in H2.
Intel Price Performance
NASDAQ:INTC traded up $1.51 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $66.78. 145,510,966 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 109,215,133. The company has a market capitalization of $333.57 billion, a P/E ratio of -834.65, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 15.77 and a beta of 1.35. Intel has a 12 month low of $18.97 and a 12 month high of $70.32. The company has a quick ratio of 1.65, a current ratio of 2.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $50.39 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $44.00.
Intel News Summary
Here are the key news stories impacting Intel this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Q1 beat and bullish guidance — Intel reported a meaningful EPS and revenue beat and gave Q2 revenue guidance well above Street expectations, signaling stronger demand for its server/AI chips. Intel forecasts second-quarter revenue above estimates
- Positive Sentiment: AI/data-center momentum — Coverage highlights rising revenue tied to A.I. infrastructure and data-center demand that helped lift margins and top-line growth. Intel’s Revenues Soar, Aided by A.I. Boom
- Positive Sentiment: Tesla/14A confirmation — Elon Musk said Tesla will use Intel’s 14A process for Terafab chips, giving Intel its first major external 14A customer and validating its foundry roadmap. That reduces execution uncertainty for investors. Elon Musk lays out Terafab AI chip project plan
- Positive Sentiment: Analyst upgrades and bullish coverage — Several firms have raised ratings/price targets and highlighted re‑rating potential as server CPU growth accelerates, adding buying momentum. Why Intel Stock (INTC) Is Rising Today
- Neutral Sentiment: Market reaction and volatility signals — Options traders priced in a large post-earnings move and other chip names moved in sympathy, so expect elevated intraday/after‑hours volatility. Options traders expect a ~9.9% move
- Neutral Sentiment: Sector spillover — Intel’s strong print is lifting other semiconductor names (AMD, Arm) on optimism for broader AI hardware demand; this is supportive but increases correlation risk. AMD, Arm Stocks Ride Intel’s Coattails
- Negative Sentiment: Expectations are high — Several outlets warn the stock has run up into earnings and that a “sell‑the‑news” or pullback is possible if guidance or execution details disappoint. Elevated expectations raise downside risk. Are expectations now too high?
- Negative Sentiment: Foundry/profitability questions remain — Analysts remain split about whether Intel’s foundry business can scale profitably; that structural risk could cap upside over the medium term. Analysts are divided on Intel
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
INTC has been the topic of several research reports. Cantor Fitzgerald increased their price objective on shares of Intel from $45.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday. TD Cowen increased their price objective on shares of Intel from $50.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Intel from $45.00 to $55.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 7th. Benchmark raised their price target on shares of Intel from $57.00 to $76.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, April 10th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC restated a “hold” rating on shares of Intel in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Eleven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twenty-four have given a Hold rating and five have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Intel presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $54.86.
Read Our Latest Analysis on Intel
Insider Buying and Selling
In related news, EVP Boise April Miller sold 20,000 shares of the firm’s 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 completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 113,060 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,545,593. This trade represents a 15.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP David Zinsner bought 5,882 shares of Intel stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, January 26th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $42.50 per share, with a total value of $249,985.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the executive vice president directly owned 247,392 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $10,514,160. This represents a 2.44% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. Company insiders own 0.05% of the company’s stock.
Institutional Trading of Intel
Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Swiss RE Ltd. bought a new stake in Intel during the fourth quarter worth approximately $29,000. McMillan Office Inc. bought a new stake in Intel during the fourth quarter worth approximately $35,000. Miller Capital Partners Inc. acquired a new position in Intel in the 4th quarter worth approximately $37,000. Strive Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Intel in the 4th quarter worth approximately $44,000. Finally, Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Intel by 150.7% in the 4th quarter. Transamerica Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,369 shares of the chip maker’s stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 823 shares during the period. 64.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.
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.