Intel vs Qualcomm: Which AI Stock Is The Better Buy

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) and Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM) some conscionable delivered net that archer precise antithetic stories astir however to triumph successful AI silicon. Intel posted a sixth consecutive gross bushed portion absorbing a $4.07 cardinal Mobileye charge. Qualcomm landed its 4th consecutive EPS bushed with handset weakness offset by grounds auto.

Foundry Momentum Carries Intel. Cars Carry Qualcomm.

Intel's Q1 FY2026 net study showed $13.577 cardinal successful revenue, up 7.2% twelvemonth implicit year, with Data Center and AI climbing 22% to $5.052 cardinal and Intel Foundry up 16%.

CEO Lip-Bu Tan framed the infinitesimal plainly: "The adjacent question of AI volition bring quality person to the extremity user, moving from foundational models to inference to agentic." Non-GAAP gross borderline expanded to 41%, a existent awesome that the 18A ramp is paying off.

Qualcomm's 4th looked steadier and stranger. Revenue of $10.599 cardinal slipped 3.46% twelvemonth implicit year. Handsets fell 13% to $6.024 cardinal connected representation constraints and anemic Chinese OEM demand.

Automotive ripped 38% higher to a grounds $1.326 billion, and IoT added 9%. Cristiano Amon told investors Qualcomm is present "in a play of profound manufacture transformation" tied to AI agents.

One Rebuilds Manufacturing. One Buys Back Stock.

The strategical divided is the full story. Intel is pouring superior into wafers, with $4.963 cardinal successful Q1 capex, an Ireland fab buyback, and a caller Penang expansion.

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Qualcomm is doing the opposite, returning currency aggressively. Management authorized a $20 cardinal repurchase and bought backmost $2.8 cardinal successful shares past 4th alone.