Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) Stock Falls 5.8% – Should You Sell?

Posted by Brenda Bartman on Oct 18th, 2026

Shares of Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC – Get Free Report) were down 5.8% during trading on Friday. The stock traded as low as $89.19 and last traded at $89.85. Approximately 121,193,680 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 4% from the average session volume of 116,378,711 shares. The stock had previously closed at $95.37.

Intel News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Intel this week:

Positive Sentiment: Intel’s history of exceeding earnings estimates and favorable revenue and earnings trends are prompting analysts to argue that the company could deliver another quarterly beat. Will Intel Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?
Positive Sentiment: Consumer research from LikeFolio indicates improving sentiment toward Intel, suggesting demand for its products remains resilient even as Nvidia introduces competing laptops. Consumer Sentiment Surge Follows Stock Trends
Positive Sentiment: One prominent analyst sees substantial upside if Intel successfully executes its foundry strategy and wins advanced AI-chip manufacturing business, although that thesis depends on an unproven turnaround. Analyst Says Intel Could Double
Neutral Sentiment: The administration’s new review of AI risks could lead to future regulation of AI systems and data centers. The report is not an Intel-specific development, but could affect demand for AI infrastructure over time. Trump Task Force Orders Report on AI Dangers
Negative Sentiment: A broad rotation out of AI and semiconductor stocks is pressuring Intel, AMD and other chipmakers as investors question AI infrastructure valuations, financing conditions and the durability of spending. Rotation Out of AI Chip Stocks Continues
Negative Sentiment: Investors are also weighing competitive and operational risks: TSMC suggested it could support customers if Intel’s advanced-packaging ramp falls short, while an explosion and fire at Intel’s Kiryat Gat facility in Israel added company-specific uncertainty. Reports of progress by Chinese rival CXMT further intensified concerns about Intel’s competitive position. TSMC Comments on Intel Packaging Ramp

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently weighed in on INTC. HSBC reissued a “buy” rating on shares of Intel in a report on Friday, July 24th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “neutral” rating on shares of Intel in a research note on Thursday, July 23rd. Barclays raised Intel from a “hold” rating to an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 16th. Stifel Nicolaus reduced their target price on Intel from $120.00 to $110.00 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 24th. Finally, KeyCorp set a $125.00 target price on Intel in a research report on Friday, July 24th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty have issued a Buy rating, twenty-seven have assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $109.06.

Read Our Latest Report on INTC

Intel Stock Down 5.8%

The company has a market capitalization of $453.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -42.58, a PEG ratio of 9.57 and a beta of 2.22. The stock’s fifty day simple moving average is $103.05 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $101.31. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 1.60 and a quick ratio of 1.25.

Intel (NASDAQ:INTC – Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 23rd. The chip maker reported $0.42 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.21 by $0.21. Intel had a negative net margin of 19.79% and a positive return on equity of 2.62%. The company had revenue of $16.13 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $14.43 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted ($0.10) EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 25.2% on a year-over-year basis. Intel has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 0.380-0.380 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Intel Corporation will post 1.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Intel news, CEO Lip Bu Tan acquired 105,263 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 11th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $95.00 per share, for a total transaction of $9,999,985.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,314,669 shares in the company, valued at $124,893,555. The trade was a 8.70% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.05% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Intel

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Financial Life Planners acquired a new stake in shares of Intel during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Montgomery Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of Intel in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Glynn Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Intel in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Knuff & Co LLC acquired a new position in Intel during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $29,000. Finally, Osbon Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Intel during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. 64.53% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About Intel

(Get Free Report)

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) is a global semiconductor company that designs and manufactures computing and connectivity products. Its portfolio includes Intel Core processors for personal computers, Xeon processors for data centers and enterprise systems, and products for networking, edge computing, graphics, and artificial intelligence workloads.

Through Intel Foundry, the company also provides semiconductor manufacturing and technology-development services for external customers. Intel develops process technologies, advanced packaging, and other manufacturing capabilities intended to support its own products and third-party chip designs.

Founded in 1968 by Robert Noyce and Gordon Moore, Intel helped establish the modern microprocessor industry and has historically supplied processors for PCs, servers, and other computing systems.