INTC Pops Above $21 on CEO-Trump Meeting: Can This Shift Course for Intel Stock?
Intel’s stock is staging a strong rebound in August after political drama, earnings disappointment, and investor jitters sent it tumbling...
Quick overview
- Intel's stock has rebounded in August, climbing above $21 after a significant drop in late July due to political and earnings challenges.
- CEO Lip-Bu Tan's upcoming meeting with President Trump is seen as crucial for both his leadership and Intel's future in the semiconductor industry.
- Controversy surrounding Tan's investments in Chinese firms has fueled political tension, impacting investor sentiment and stock performance.
- Intel's mixed Q2 earnings report, which included unexpected losses, highlights the company's struggle to compete in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Intel’s stock is staging a strong rebound in August after political drama, earnings disappointment, and investor jitters sent it tumbling in late July.
Political Spotlight on Intel’s CEO
Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) has regained upward momentum this week, with shares climbing above $21 on a 5% daily gain. The rally follows last week’s recovery from a key support zone after the Wall Street Journal revealed that CEO Lip-Bu Tan would meet with President Donald Trump today. The stakes are unusually high — not just for Intel’s role in the semiconductor industry, but also for Tan’s own position as company leader.
According to the WSJ, the meeting will cover Tan’s career, personal background, and potential avenues for Intel and the U.S. government to strengthen collaboration in critical chip manufacturing. But the backdrop is tense: President Trump has publicly lashed out at Tan, demanding his “immediate resignation” in a recent social media post.
Controversy Over China Ties
The political tension stems from allegations that Tan invested nearly $200 million in Chinese semiconductor and technology firms, some allegedly connected to China’s military sector. The accusations triggered a swift sell-off last week, driving Intel’s stock below $20 in pre-market trading. Today, however, sentiment has shifted sharply as investors see potential for positive developments from the high-level White House meeting.
INTC Chart Daily – Buyers Still Face MAs After the Rebound
Mixed Signals from Q2 Earnings
Intel’s Q2 earnings release late last month added to the turbulence. While revenue narrowly exceeded expectations — buoyed in part by its foundry business — the company posted an unexpected adjusted loss. The bottom-line miss was driven by $200 million in one-time costs and $800 million in impairment charges.
This mixed performance disappointed investors hoping for clearer evidence of a turnaround. Competitors continue to outpace Intel in several chip categories, leaving the company struggling to regain its footing in a rapidly evolving semiconductor landscape.
Relative Weakness in a Rising Market
What has made Intel’s challenges more glaring is the strength of the broader tech sector, where indices have been steadily climbing. Against that backdrop, Intel’s July slump was particularly sharp, underscoring the urgency for management to deliver stronger results and reassure the market.
The combination of political drama, operational headwinds, and competitive pressure means the coming weeks could be pivotal. Any positive signals from the Trump–Tan meeting, paired with strategic clarity from management, may determine whether this recovery builds momentum or quickly fades.
- Check out our free forex signals
- Follow the top economic events on FX Leaders economic calendar
- Trade better, discover more Forex Trading Strategies
- Open a FREE Trading Account
Save