Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) Hits New 12-Month High After Analyst Upgrade

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)’s stock price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Wednesday after Sanford C. Bernstein raised their price target on the stock from $35.00 to $36.00. Sanford C. Bernstein currently has a market perform rating on the stock. Intel traded as high as $53.80 and last traded at $54.0180, with a volume of 74818261 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $48.56.

Other equities research analysts have also issued reports about the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on Intel from $30.00 to $45.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Cantor Fitzgerald raised their price target on Intel from $36.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, October 20th. DZ Bank reiterated a “sell” rating on shares of Intel in a research report on Friday, October 24th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of Intel from $23.00 to $41.10 in a research note on Friday, October 24th. Finally, Barclays set a $45.00 price target on shares of Intel in a research note on Thursday, January 15th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twenty-five have assigned a Hold rating and six have assigned a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Intel currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $41.55.

Intel News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Intel this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Multiple Wall Street upgrades highlight competitive CPU demand and improving manufacturing (Seaport/HSBC/Citi coverage and related writeups). Intel Stock Rises Again After Upgrades. Why Wall Street Is Warming to It.
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts and reporters point to booming AI data‑center buildouts boosting demand for Intel’s server chips and validating parts of the turnaround narrative. Intel results to spotlight turnaround efforts as AI data centers boost chip demand
• Positive Sentiment: Coverage ahead of earnings shows analysts raising expectations and crediting near‑term tailwinds (PC stability + server demand) for the recent rally. Intel Rallies Ahead of Earnings. Here’s What Analysts Are Saying That’s Boosting the Stock.
• Neutral Sentiment: Jefferies raised its price target to $45 but kept a Hold rating, noting structural constraints in data‑center markets — a vote of cautious confidence rather than full conviction. Jefferies Raises Intel (INTC) Price Target to $45 but Cites Structural Constraints
• Neutral Sentiment: Options markets expect a sizable post‑earnings move — elevated volatility implies the stock can swing sharply after the report, increasing short‑term risk despite the runup. Intel (INTC) Q4 Earnings on the Deck: Options Traders Brace for an 8.82% Swing
• Negative Sentiment: Critical pieces flag emerging problems and longer‑term risks (execution, margins, competitive pressures) that could puncture optimism if Q4 or guidance disappoints. Intel Has A New Problem
• Negative Sentiment: Some firms (e.g., Wedbush) remain cautious on margins and reiterate neutral/hold views with lower targets — underscores that positive sentiment is not unanimous. Intel set to top Q4 forecasts but Wedbush analysts remain cautious

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of INTC. Focus Financial Network Inc. increased its stake in shares of Intel by 2.1% during the fourth quarter. Focus Financial Network Inc. now owns 10,788 shares of the chip maker’s stock valued at $398,000 after buying an additional 223 shares during the period. Orca Investment Management LLC lifted its stake in Intel by 0.5% in the fourth quarter. Orca Investment Management LLC now owns 50,697 shares of the chip maker’s stock worth $1,871,000 after acquiring an additional 229 shares during the period. Quantum Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in Intel by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Quantum Financial Advisors LLC now owns 6,235 shares of the chip maker’s stock valued at $230,000 after purchasing an additional 230 shares during the period. Lakeshore Capital Group Inc. increased its position in Intel by 1.1% during the 4th quarter. Lakeshore Capital Group Inc. now owns 21,142 shares of the chip maker’s stock valued at $780,000 after purchasing an additional 236 shares during the period. Finally, Hengehold Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Intel by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Hengehold Capital Management LLC now owns 10,564 shares of the chip maker’s stock valued at $390,000 after purchasing an additional 241 shares in the last quarter. 64.53% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Intel Stock Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a current ratio of 1.60. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $39.67 and its 200 day moving average price is $32.64. The firm has a market cap of $259.01 billion, a P/E ratio of 5,427.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 30.45 and a beta of 1.35.

Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 23rd. The chip maker reported $0.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The company had revenue of $13.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.10 billion. Intel had a net margin of 0.37% and a negative return on equity of 0.75%. Intel’s revenue was up 3.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted ($0.46) earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Intel Corporation will post -0.11 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Intel Company Profile

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.