Intel Surges 15% After Blowout Earnings Beat Signals Turnaround

Shares of Intel jumped 15% in after-hours trading on Thursday after the chipmaker delivered quarterly results that far exceeded Wall Street expectations, fueling optimism that the company is regaining growth momentum after a prolonged slump.

The strong earnings report showed adjusted earnings per share of $0.29, well above forecasts of just $0.01, while revenue climbed to $13.58 billion, beating expectations of $12.42 billion. 

The results mark a 7.2% year-on-year increase, signaling a return to expansion after declines in five of the past seven quarters.

The earnings surprise has reignited investor confidence in Intel’s turnaround strategy, with the stock already up more than 80% since the begining of the year, following an 84% surge in 2025.

The rally reflects growing belief that Intel is repositioning itself effectively in a fiercely competitive semiconductor landscape, particularly as demand for advanced chips accelerates globally.

A key driver behind Intel’s resurgence has been substantial backing from the U.S. government under President Donald Trump, as part of a broader push to onshore semiconductor manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.

The government has emerged as a major stakeholder in the company, underscoring the strategic importance of domestic chip production.

Intel has also attracted significant private investment, including billions of dollars from Nvidia and SoftBank, further strengthening its financial position and long-term growth outlook.

Looking ahead, Intel issued strong guidance for the second quarter, projecting revenue between $13.8 billion and $14.8 billion, well above analysts’ expectations of $13.07 billion. The company also forecast adjusted earnings per share of $0.20, compared to consensus estimates of $0.09.

The upbeat outlook suggests that Intel’s recovery may be gaining traction, supported by both structural demand for semiconductors and aggressive investment in manufacturing capacity.

After years of losing ground to competitors, Intel’s latest performance points to a potential inflection point. While challenges remain, particularly in high-end chip innovation and global competition, the company’s recent results indicate that its strategy may finally be delivering results.