Intel (INTC) Earnings Date & Reports

Key Takeaways

• Intel Corporation (INTC) is scheduled to report its third-quarter 2026 results after the market close on Thursday, October 29, 2026, with a conference call set for 5:00 p.m. ET.
• Wall Street consensus calls for adjusted earnings per share (EPS, the company's profit divided by its outstanding shares) of about $0.40, up roughly 74% from $0.23 a year earlier, on revenue near $16.50 billion, a gain of about 21%.
• Intel's own guidance for the quarter is slightly more conservative, pointing to revenue between $15.8 billion and $16.8 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.38.
• Gross margin — the share of revenue left after production costs — is the key number to watch, with management guiding to roughly 42% for the quarter.
• The stock has pulled back sharply into the report, leaving investors focused on whether guidance and margin trends can support the recent valuation.
• For more details on INTC's Major News, Today's Price Move, Price Targets, and Forecast, explore these dedicated pages for the latest coverage.
• To discover timely trading ideas and market opportunities, explore Trending AI Robots.

Earnings Context and Why It Matters

Intel's third-quarter report arrives at a pivotal moment in the company's turnaround. The semiconductor giant has spent recent years repositioning itself around data-center and artificial intelligence (AI) workloads while building out Intel Foundry, its contract chip-manufacturing business. Its latest quarter showed momentum, with revenue up 25% year over year and adjusted EPS that more than doubled consensus estimates. Yet investor sentiment has cooled, and the stock has fallen sharply from its highs amid broader AI-sector volatility and questions about capital spending. This report will test whether Intel's improving execution can continue, making the October 29 release a key catalyst for how the market values the stock heading into year-end.

Earnings Expectations

Analysts expect Intel to report adjusted EPS of approximately $0.40 for the third quarter of 2026, which would represent an increase of about 74% from the $0.23 posted in the same period a year ago. Consensus revenue estimates cluster around $16.50 billion, roughly 21% above the prior-year figure of $13.65 billion. These projections sit above the midpoint of Intel's own guidance, which called for revenue of $15.8 billion to $16.8 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.38.

Investors will be watching several metrics closely. Adjusted gross margin is expected near 42%, only a modest step up from the 41.8% reported in the second quarter, suggesting the pace of margin expansion is slowing. The Data Center and AI segment will also draw attention after its revenue surged 59% to $6.3 billion in the prior quarter, driven by strong demand that management said continued to outstrip supply. Progress in Intel Foundry, including external foundry revenue and the ramp of the 18A manufacturing process, is another focal point. Intel has beaten consensus EPS estimates in five of its last eight quarters, a track record that raises the bar for this release.

AI Screener

Tickeron's AI Screener is an AI-powered stock and ETF discovery tool designed to help traders and investors filter the market using technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and AI-driven signals. Users can scan thousands of stocks and ETFs with customizable filters such as industry, market capitalization, technical indicators, price patterns, and performance metrics. The screener is built to identify trade ideas, trending stocks, breakout candidates, and market opportunities far more efficiently than manual screening. For investors tracking semiconductor names like Intel alongside the broader technology landscape, it offers a structured way to surface actionable ideas. Explore the AI Screener to see how AI-driven filtering can streamline your market research.

Market Reaction and Investor Sentiment

Sentiment heading into the report is cautious. Intel shares have pulled back notably from their 52-week high and have recently traded below both their 50-day and 200-day moving averages, two commonly watched trend indicators. The decline has been driven in part by a broader selloff in chip stocks tied to concerns about AI infrastructure spending and macroeconomic pressures, rather than any change to Intel's own outlook. Options-market pricing suggests traders are positioning for a move of roughly 10% or more in either direction following the release, reflecting elevated uncertainty. Analyst views remain mixed, with a consensus "Hold" rating and price targets that imply limited-to-moderate upside, while execution risks tied to capital spending and the company's foundry ambitions continue to weigh on the debate.

Forward Outlook and Key Factors to Monitor

After the report, investors should focus first on fourth-quarter guidance, especially the margin trajectory. A fourth-quarter gross-margin guide at or above 42% would signal that pricing and the ramp of Intel's 18A manufacturing process are still lifting profitability, while a lower guide could pressure the stock further.

Capital expenditure (capex, or spending on factories and equipment) is another critical factor. Intel has raised its 2026 and 2027 capex plans, and higher spending reduces free cash flow — the cash left after operating costs and capital investments — which matters for a company navigating an expensive foundry buildout. Investors will also listen for updates on external foundry revenue and customer adoption.

Finally, demand signals remain central. Data-center and AI demand has been robust, but PC-market softness linked to memory shortages has tempered some growth. Any commentary on supply, backlog, and the broader AI spending environment will help shape expectations for the quarters ahead.

Disclaimer

The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.

Disclaimers and Limitations