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Intel shares surged after the company released its quarterly earnings report, which exceeded market expectations. The company delivered better-than-expected profits and issued an optimistic forecast for the next quarter. Against the backdrop of the artificial intelligence boom, investors now expect Intel to further strengthen its position.
Intel shares jumped sharply following the earnings release, rising about 16–20% in after-hours trading and climbing to around $80 per share. The rally was driven by financial results that came in well above analysts’ expectations, Reuters reports.
In the first quarter, Intel’s revenue grew 7% to $13.6 billion. Adjusted earnings reached $0.29 per share, compared to expectations of just $0.01. The Data Center and AI segment delivered particularly strong results, with revenue rising 22% to $5.1 billion.
The company’s outlook for the next quarter was also a key factor. Intel expects revenue in the range of $13.8–14.8 billion, while the market had been anticipating around $13 billion. Its profit forecast also came in higher, at $0.20 per share versus expectations of roughly $0.08–0.09.
The strong market reaction was driven not only by the numbers but also by what is fueling Intel’s growth. The key factor is artificial intelligence. Demand is coming from companies building AI infrastructure, including data centers, cloud services, and platforms for running neural networks.
At the same time, the AI market itself is evolving. Previously, most attention was focused on training models, where Nvidia dominates. Now, demand is shifting toward inference — the use of trained models in real-world applications. This is where CPUs, which Intel produces, play a crucial role.
Additional interest in Intel is driven by new partnerships. The company is involved in the Terafab project with Elon Musk, aimed at producing chips for Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI. Google also plans to use Intel processors for AI-related workloads. These developments are boosting investor confidence and signal that Intel is returning to major technology projects.
Overall, global demand for AI solutions continues to grow. More companies are developing their own models, while industry leaders are rapidly releasing updates. For example, according to CNBC, Chinese startup DeepSeek recently unveiled a new version of its V4 model, focused on agent-based tasks and data processing. Such developments increase the load on infrastructure and directly drive demand for chips, including Intel’s.
Intel has long been trying to find its place in emerging technology trends. One of its experiments was in cryptocurrency mining: in 2022–2023, the company launched its Blocksale ASIC chips for Bitcoin mining. Intel aimed to compete with players like Bitmain and MicroBT, with clients including Argo Blockchain, Block, and Hive. However, within a year, the company shut down the project and stopped producing new chips, citing a shift in priorities, CoinDesk reports.
Instead, Intel refocused on its IDM 2.0 strategy — developing its own manufacturing capabilities and attracting external customers. This includes building new fabs and advancing chip packaging technologies, which are now in high demand for AI infrastructure.
The strategy is starting to show results, but risks remain despite the strong report. Intel continues to invest heavily in manufacturing, faces component shortages, and has yet to prove it can compete on equal footing with TSMC.
The sharp rise in Intel’s stock suggests that the market is beginning to change its perception of the company. Not long ago, Intel was seen as a lagging player, but investors are now seeing clear signs of a recovery: strong financial results, growing demand, and new partnerships. Most importantly, Intel is finding its role in the rapidly expanding AI infrastructure market.
However, it is still too early to call this a full turnaround. Intel needs to prove that its current momentum is sustainable. To do so, the company must scale production, secure more major clients, and demonstrate the competitiveness of its technologies. These factors will determine whether Intel can maintain its progress and continue growing in the coming years.