Intel Earnings Preview: PC Demand, Foundry Wins and Margin Guidance in Focus

Intel slipped 1% to 53.82 at 9:53 a.m. ET ahead of the chipmaker’s fourth-quarter results, due after the close. The stock had surged nearly 12% on Wednesday to a four‑year high and is up 47% in 2026 as investors bet the new Panther Lake processors will boost market share. HSBC, KeyBanc and Seaport all upgraded the shares this week.

The company’s results are shaping up as an early barometer for sentiment on chips and AI demand in 2026, and stocks received a lift after Donald Trump softened tariff proposals at the World Economic Forum, easing geopolitical concerns.

Intel is expected to report adjusted fourth-quarter EPS of $0.08 on revenue of $13.42 billion, down from $0.13 and $14.26 billion a year earlier, according to a FactSet poll.

Key Highlights

• Market focus on Intel has intensified with growing interest in AI and chip stocks after strong TSM results, as investors wait to see if Intel can turn optimism into revenue growth.
• Among Intel’s semiconductor peers, some Q4 results offer clues: Penguin Solutions reported flat year‑over‑year revenue, beating estimates by 1.2%, but its shares fell 14.2% after the report. Micron posted revenue up 56.7%, beating forecasts by 5%, and saw its stock rise 9.9%.
• Investor sentiment in semiconductors has been positive, with average sector gains of 12.1% over the past month. Intel has climbed 37.1% in that period and heads into earnings with an average analyst price target of $42.44 versus the current share price of $49.89.

 Investors focus on the following three points

1. Demand trends for PCs and data-center chips to see if sales are stabilizing after an extended slowdown.
2. Updates on Intel’s foundry business, new customers, timelines, or cost management as a key growth driver.
3. Guidance on margins and the broader turnaround into 2026 will be closely watched.

 Analysts Expectation

• Bernstein analysts raised the price target on Intel (INTC) to $36.00 (from $35.00) while maintaining a Market Perform rating.
• Seaport Global Securities upgraded Intel (INTC) from Neutral to Buy with a price target of $65.00.
• An analyst from Susquehanna maintained Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) at ’neutral’ with a price target of $45.00 from a prior price target of $40.00.

INTC Q4 2025 earnings after market (4:01pm ET) Thursday Jan 22, 2026                         

Technical Analysis Perspective

• INTC has shown two major bullish technical developments on weekly charts since July 2024.
• Mid‑September 2025 breakout from a rectangular consolidation between $18.50–$26.50.
• Early January 2026 breakout of a long‑term falling trend line.
• That trendline breakout sparked a sharp rally now testing the $54.20 resistance.
• Base case: a strong, sustained move above $54.20 would open the way to $56.10, then potentially $58.50 post‑earnings.
• Alternate case: rejection at $54.20 after earnings could trigger a pullback to $51.80 and then $50.25.
• Note: the stock fell a week after better‑than‑expected Q3 results; with consensus EPS of $0.08, weak guidance could prompt a sharp sell‑off.

Weekly Candlestick Chart

INTC Seasonality Chart:

Since 2007, INTC has finished January higher 55% of the time, with an average gain of 0.5%, and finished February higher 58% of the time, averaging a 1.2% rise.

INTC has climbed 38% since the start of January 2026.

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Disclaimer: This article is written for informational purposes only. It is not intended to encourage the purchase of assets in any way, nor does it constitute a solicitation, offer, recommendation or suggestion to invest. I would like to remind you that all assets are evaluated from multiple perspectives and are highly risky, so any investment decision and the associated risk belong to the investor. We also do not provide any investment advisory services.