Why Intel Stock Soared 278% In the First Half of 2026

3 weeks ago 9

Chris Neiger, The Motley Fool

Mon, July 20, 2026 astatine 9:30 AM CDT 3 min read

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) skyrocketed 278.4% successful the archetypal fractional of 2026, according to information from S&P Global Market Intelligence, arsenic the semiconductor institution posted better-than-expected results successful the archetypal 4th and expanded its partnerships with different tech companies.

Intel has been intimately watched by galore investors arsenic a turnaround play, pursuing years of falling down its competitors. While Intel's shares person soared successful the archetypal fractional of this year, the banal has experienced immoderate important dips much recently.

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Here's what's going good for Intel banal and wherefore its shares could beryllium volatile for the remainder of the year.

People with cleanable  suits connected  successful  a lab.

Image source: Intel.

Better-than-expected results built connected past momentum

Intel shares were already gaining traction successful aboriginal 2026, and they accelerated aft the institution reported better-than-expected first-quarter results.

Intel's gross roseate conscionable 7% successful the 4th to $13.6 billion, acold amended than the statement estimation of $12.4 billion. The company's adjusted net of $0.29 per stock were besides good supra Wall Street's statement estimation of $0.01 per share.

Intel shareholders were besides apt impressed to spot the company's information halfway gross summation 22% to $5.1 billion. Investors person intimately watched this conception due to the fact that CPUs are becoming progressively important for AI information centers, due to the fact that they're particularly bully astatine uncovering and processing data.

Adding to the optimism of the 4th was the information that Intel's absorption issued better-than-expected guidance, with gross of $14.3 cardinal and net of $0.20 per stock -- acold supra Wall Street's mean estimates of $13.1 cardinal and $0.09 per share.

If each that weren't enough, Intel's shares gained momentum arsenic rumors surfaced that the institution was successful talks with Apple to nutrient chips for immoderate of its devices. The archetypal reports proved true, and Intel volition marque immoderate processors for Apple's Mac laptops and iPhones.

Getting that concern from Apple comes aft Intel has besides inked deals with Tesla and SpaceX for its Terafab AI information halfway project.

The second-half of 2026 is disconnected to a unsmooth commencement

Intel's shares person fallen astir 28% since the extremity of June arsenic investors person go progressively skeptical astir immoderate AI stocks. Intel, successful particular, has travel nether scrutiny due to the fact that its shares are precise expensive.

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