Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) Trading 2.1% Higher – Here’s Why

20 Jul 2026, 17:23 by Teresa Graham · The Cerbat Gem

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC – Get Free Report) shares were up 2.1% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $100.98 and last traded at $97.06. 89,171,284 shares were traded during mid-day trading, a decline of 26% from the average daily volume of 120,614,602 shares. The stock had previously closed at $95.04.

Key Stories Impacting Intel

Here are the key news stories impacting Intel this week:

Positive Sentiment: Intel is getting a lift from reports that it is considering additional layoffs and cost cuts, which investors appear to view as another step toward improving margins and streamlining operations. Intel Stock (NASDAQ:INTC) Jumps With New Layoff Plans
Positive Sentiment: Wedbush said Intel could beat second-quarter expectations, citing improving server demand, better pricing, and margin recovery, which is supporting optimism ahead of results. Intel positioned for earnings upside as Wedbush highlights server demand and margin recovery
Positive Sentiment: ASML’s confirmation that Intel Foundry is now using its lithography machines was seen as evidence of operational progress, reinforcing hopes that Intel’s manufacturing turnaround is gaining traction. INTC Stock Prepares for Liftoff as ASML Confirms ‘Intel Foundry Is Now Using Its Lithography Machines’
Positive Sentiment: Intel is also benefiting from broader semiconductor strength and a rebound in tech futures as markets brace for a heavy earnings week that includes Intel, Alphabet, and Tesla. Semiconductor Stocks Rebound as Alphabet (GOOGL), Tesla (TSLA), and Intel (INTC) Earnings Approach
Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and media coverage continue to frame Intel’s earnings as a major volatility event, with options markets pricing in a large post-earnings move and Wall Street estimates centered around modest Q2 results. Huge, Unusual Intel Options Volume Today Ahead of Earnings This Week
Negative Sentiment: Some analysts remain cautious, warning that Intel’s rich valuation leaves the stock vulnerable to a sentiment shift if earnings or guidance fail to impress. Intel set to beat but valuation leaves it exposed to sentiment swings
Negative Sentiment: Other commentary suggests the stock has recently lost momentum and could be at risk of further downside if Q2 results disappoint or the market rotates away from chip names. Intel stock could be at risk of hitting $75 as Q2 earnings loom

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Intel from $35.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research report on Friday, April 24th. Scotiabank began coverage on Intel in a research note on Tuesday, April 21st. They issued a “sector perform” rating for the company. KeyCorp raised their price target on Intel from $110.00 to $155.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 14th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a “neutral” rating and set a $80.00 price target on shares of Intel in a research note on Monday, May 4th. Finally, BTIG Research upgraded shares of Intel from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, June 11th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, fifteen have assigned a Buy rating, twenty-nine have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Intel presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $102.77.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on INTC

Intel Price Performance

The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $117.79 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $76.18. The firm has a market cap of $487.82 billion, a PE ratio of -156.55 and a beta of 2.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 1.85 and a current ratio of 2.31.

Intel (NASDAQ:INTC – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 23rd. The chip maker reported $0.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.01 by $0.28. Intel had a negative net margin of 5.90% and a positive return on equity of 0.39%. The firm had revenue of $13.58 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.32 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $0.13 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Intel has set its Q2 2026 guidance at 0.200-0.200 EPS. Sell-side analysts expect that Intel Corporation will post 0.65 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity

In other Intel news, EVP Boise April Miller sold 40,256 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $99.53, for a total transaction of $4,006,679.68. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 105,077 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $10,458,313.81. This trade represents a 27.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 0.05% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Intel

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Intel by 3,185.7% in the 2nd quarter. Beaird Harris Wealth Management LLC now owns 230 shares of the chip maker’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 223 shares during the period. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Intel by 167.0% during the second quarter. Carolina Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 267 shares of the chip maker’s stock valued at $37,000 after acquiring an additional 167 shares during the last quarter. Ramsey Quantitative Systems purchased a new stake in shares of Intel in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Allied Private Wealth LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Intel in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $68,000. Finally, Financial Life Planners acquired a new position in shares of Intel in the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.53% of the company’s stock.

Intel Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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.