Intel INTC Stock Jumps to $110 but Reverses as Q2 Earnings Beat and Revenue Surges 25% to $16.1 Billion

Quick overview

Intel stock jumped from around $100 toward $110 in after-hours trading but gave it back after the chipmaker reported a 25% increase in second-quarter revenue, although continued losses and heavy investment requirements remain key risks.

Intel Stock Jumps Toward $110 as Q2 Revenue Surges 25% to $16.1 Billion

Intel stock jumped sharply in after-hours trading after the company reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter 2026 revenue, with INTC shares rising from around $100 toward $109 following the results. The chipmaker’s performance showed improving demand across its product portfolio while its AI and foundry strategies continued to gain momentum.

Intel Q2 Revenue Climbs 25%

Intel reported second-quarter revenue of $16.1 billion, representing a 25% year-over-year increase and exceeding market expectations.

The company reported a loss attributable to Intel of $2.16 per share, while non-GAAP earnings per share came in at $0.42.

Intel’s reported net loss narrowed to approximately $11 billion from $12.9 billion during the same period a year earlier. However, diluted loss per share was $2.16, compared with a loss of $0.67 in the second quarter of 2025.

The results therefore offered a mixed picture. Revenue growth was encouraging, but the size of the reported loss highlights the financial challenges that remain as Intel continues to invest heavily in manufacturing and next-generation technology.

Intel Provides Q3 Guidance

For the third quarter, Intel expects revenue between $15.8 billion and $16.8 billion.

The company forecasts reported earnings per share of $0.31 and non-GAAP EPS of $0.38.

The guidance will likely be closely watched by investors following the strong reaction in after-hours trading. Sustained revenue growth and improving profitability will be important if Intel is to maintain its recent recovery in the stock.

AI and Data Centre Momentum Expands

Intel continued to advance its strategy around AI infrastructure, introducing new rack-scale infrastructure and disaggregated inference solutions powered by Xeon processors.

The company worked with SambaNova and Foxconn to demonstrate production-ready infrastructure for inference and agentic AI workloads. Vector Core Compute also unveiled a disaggregated cloud architecture combining Intel Xeon processors, SambaNova RDUs, and Nvidia Blackwell GPUs.

Intel also launched Xeon 6+, described as its first server-class product built on the Intel 18A process, targeting sustained performance under real-world power constraints.

The company said more than 130 customers are adopting or testing its latest Core Ultra Series 3 and Core Series 3 processors for edge AI and robotics applications.

Foundry Strategy Remains Critical

Intel Foundry continues to represent one of the company’s most important long-term opportunities.

Intel 18A-P has entered risk production, while a subset of Core Ultra Series 3 processors has moved into high-volume manufacturing using ASML’s EXE High NA EUV technology.

The company also announced a €5 billion investment to expand manufacturing capacity and increase production of Xeon 6 and future Xeon processors built on Intel 3.

Intel’s collaboration with Fortinet to develop the Fortinet Security Processor 6 further expands its purpose-built silicon strategy beyond networking and IPUs.

INTC Stock Returns Above $100

From a technical perspective, Intel’s return below the $100 level signals continued uncertainty.

The stock has repeatedly attracted buyers near this psychological support zone, but recent rebounds have lacked strength as investors remain hesitant.

A sustained recovery would likely require stronger earnings results, clearer progress on 18A manufacturing, and evidence that Intel can compete more effectively against AMD and other semiconductor rivals.

For now, Intel’s turnaround story remains promising but unproven.

The company’s investments in Ireland and advanced manufacturing provide long-term potential, but investors appear unwilling to overlook near-term risks. Until Intel demonstrates consistent execution, the stock may continue facing volatility around the $100 level.

INTC Chart Daily – Finding Support at the 100 SMA

The speed of the upside move and the clear break above $100 indicates that investors are increasingly willing to accumulate shares at perceived value levels. While sustained upside momentum will require further confirmation, the structure has improved meaningfully, despite the recent pullback. The 20 daily SMA held as support for a while but was eventually broken and INTC stock slipped below the $100 level but reclaimed it again today.

New Partnerships Strengthen Intel’s Position

Intel announced several strategic collaborations covering AI, computing, manufacturing, and industry-specific applications.

The company is working with Foxconn, Siemens, Hitachi, Echo Neurotechnologies, and Greenstone Biosciences on specialized AI and computing solutions.

Intel also expanded its partnership with Google Cloud to accelerate AI capabilities across its workforce and strengthen existing workflows as part of its broader AI transformation.

Meanwhile, the company introduced its Arc G-Series processors for next-generation handheld gaming systems and expanded its Ethernet E835 portfolio across cloud, AI, enterprise, edge, and telecommunications infrastructure.

Q2 2026 Financial Results

Competition Remains a Major Risk

Intel continues to face intense competition from AMD and other global semiconductor companies.

AMD has gained significant ground in data centers, increasing pressure on Intel’s historically important and profitable server business.

At the same time, expanding semiconductor production in China and other regions is contributing to concerns about global capacity and future pricing pressure.

For Intel, the path toward a sustainable recovery therefore remains challenging.

Intel’s $5 Billion Ireland Expansion Supports Long-Term Strategy

Despite short-term challenges, Intel continues investing aggressively in its future manufacturing capabilities.

The company recently announced a €5 billion expansion of its Leixlip manufacturing campus in County Kildare, Ireland.

The investment is designed to strengthen Intel’s European manufacturing footprint and support production of advanced processors, including next-generation Xeon 6 chips.

The expansion is part of Intel’s broader strategy to rebuild its manufacturing leadership and create a more diversified semiconductor supply chain outside Asia.

European officials have welcomed the investment as an important step toward strengthening regional semiconductor production.

However, investors remain focused on whether these large capital commitments can translate into improved financial performance.

Building manufacturing capacity is only the first step. Intel must prove that these facilities can produce competitive chips at attractive margins.

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Skerdian Meta

Lead Analyst

Skerdian Meta Lead Analyst. Skerdian is a professional Forex trader and a market analyst. He has been actively engaged in market analysis for the past 11 years. Before becoming our head analyst, Skerdian served as a trader and market analyst in Saxo Bank's local branch, Aksioner. Skerdian specialized in experimenting with developing models and hands-on trading. Skerdian has a masters degree in finance and investment.

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