Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) Stock Price Up 1.1% – Still a Buy?

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)’s share price traded up 1.1% during trading on Friday . The stock traded as high as $46.65 and last traded at $45.77. 68,087,112 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 39% from the average session volume of 111,296,102 shares. The stock had previously closed at $45.25.

Intel News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Intel this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Product roadmap and launches are supporting demand expectations — Intel’s recent Panther Lake/Core Ultra processor announcements and related refreshes (desktop Core Ultra 200S Plus / Arrow Lake refresh) have buoyed sentiment by reinforcing Intel’s competitiveness in CPUs and gaming performance, which helped lift the stock earlier in the week. Intel (INTC) Stock Climbs Following Panther Lake Announcement and Processor Launches
• Positive Sentiment: Foundry margin target could improve long-term profitability — Intel’s CFO reiterated a goal of driving the foundry business to break-even margins by 2027, a constructive sign for future EBITDA contribution if external customer traction and process improvements materialize. Intel Aims Break-Even Margins for Foundry Business by 2027
• Neutral Sentiment: Increased investor attention but no clear directional catalyst — Recent coverage notes heightened interest in INTC, which can amplify moves but does not change fundamentals by itself. Monitor volume and sentiment for short-term volatility. Intel Corporation (INTC) is Attracting Investor Attention
• Neutral Sentiment: Analyst/sector snapshots remain mixed — Market pieces note the microchip sector is “neutral” amid macro and geopolitical noise; that backdrop can cap upside until clearer demand signals arrive. NVDA, INTC and AMD Forecasts – Microchips Stay Neutral Despite Outside Pressures
• Negative Sentiment: Shareholder lawsuit over reported 10% U.S. government stake creates governance and legal risk — Multiple reports say a shareholder has sued to unwind the arrangement, alleging the deal was made for political reasons and raising questions about disclosure, board decision-making and potential regulatory scrutiny; that story has driven volatility and could weigh on sentiment if it escalates. Intel shareholder sues over 10% stake deal with U.S. government – report

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently weighed in on INTC shares. HSBC upgraded Intel from a “reduce” rating to a “hold” rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $26.00 to $50.00 in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Sanford C. Bernstein reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Intel in a report on Tuesday, February 17th. Melius Research raised shares of Intel from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $50.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Monday, January 5th. Citigroup dropped their target price on shares of Intel from $50.00 to $48.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, New Street Research upped their target price on shares of Intel from $40.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twenty-six have issued a Hold rating and six have given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of $45.74.

Intel Stock Performance

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 firm has a 50 day moving average price of $46.35 and a 200 day moving average price of $38.91. The stock has a market cap of $228.62 billion, a PE ratio of -572.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 16.96 and a beta of 1.37.

Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 22nd. The chip maker reported $0.15 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.08 by $0.07. Intel had a negative net margin of 0.51% and a negative return on equity of 0.44%. The company had revenue of $13.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.37 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.13 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 4.2% compared to the same quarter last year. Intel has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.000-0.000 EPS. As a group, research analysts forecast that Intel Corporation will post -0.11 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Intel

In other news, EVP Boise April Miller sold 20,000 shares of the company’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 value of $981,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 113,060 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,545,593. This represents a 15.03% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, EVP David Zinsner acquired 5,882 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 26th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $42.50 per share, for a total transaction of $249,985.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the executive vice president owned 247,392 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,514,160. This represents a 2.44% increase in their position. The SEC filing for this purchase provides additional information. 0.04% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Financially Speaking Inc raised its position in shares of Intel by 69.2% in the 4th quarter. Financially Speaking Inc now owns 682 shares of the chip maker’s stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 279 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Bridge LLC bought a new stake in Intel during the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in Intel in the fourth quarter valued at about $29,000. Swiss RE Ltd. bought a new position in Intel in the fourth quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Corundum Trust Company INC bought a new position in Intel in the third quarter worth about $29,000. 64.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Intel

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.