Wall Street wakes up to Intel’s comeback — but the real test starts now
Intel Corporation (INTC) shares are grabbing headlines after hitting a new 1-year high, powered by rising demand, strong analyst upgrades, and growing confidence in U.S. chip manufacturing.
On January 12, 2026, Intel stock closed at $44.06, but momentum didn’t stop there. Shares surged to $46.57, gaining 5.71% in a single session. The stock even touched an intraday high of $47.47, marking its strongest level in the past year. Trading volume jumped to 77 million shares, signaling strong investor interest.
🚀 What’s Fueling Intel’s Rally?
The biggest boost came from KeyBanc, which upgraded Intel after highlighting hyperscaler demand for server CPUs. According to analysts, Intel’s chips are nearly sold out for the year, opening the door for 10–15% price hikes.
Adding to the optimism, Melius Research upgraded Intel to Buy with a $50 price target, while UBS raised its target to $40, maintaining a neutral stance.
Political momentum also played a role. Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s meeting with President Donald Trump sparked investor confidence after Trump praised Intel’s role in strengthening U.S. manufacturing. The endorsement triggered a previous 10% rally, reinforcing bullish sentiment.
📊 Strong Price Performance
Intel’s stock performance has been impressive:
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Year-to-date gain: 19.33%
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1-year return: 129.94%
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3-year return: 45.53%
The stock’s 52-week range spans from $17.67 to $47.47, with a current market capitalization of $222 billion. Technical indicators remain bullish, with the 50-day moving average at $38.35 and the 200-day average at $28.07.
🧠 What Analysts Are Saying
Despite the rally, analyst sentiment remains mixed. The overall consensus leans “Reduce”, with an average target of $36.69 from 36 analysts.
Bullish voices see upside from AI opportunities, especially Intel’s 18A process node, with some price targets reaching $60. However, bears warn about execution risks, competition from NVIDIA and AMD, and Intel’s shift toward 14A manufacturing.
⚠️ Earnings & Risks Ahead
Intel expects Q4 2025 EPS of $0.08, down from $0.46 last year, with revenue projected at $13.38 billion, a 6.2% decline. Full-year 2025 EPS is forecast at -0.11, though growth is expected in 2026 and 2027.
With earnings scheduled for January 22, investors remain cautious. The stock dipped 3.27% recently, showing that volatility may continue.
Intel’s comeback story is gaining traction, but the road ahead is competitive. Whether this rally turns into a long-term breakout will depend on execution, earnings delivery, and Intel’s ability to win the AI chip race.
Disclaimer: Yeh views market experts ke hain and not of trueincome. Investment karne se pehle certified advisor se consult zaroor karein.