Intel (INTC) Earnings Date & Reports

Key Takeaways

• Intel reported third-quarter 2026 revenue of $16.5 billion, up 21% year over year.
• Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.52 beat consensus estimates of about $0.40.
• Data center and foundry strength helped offset weaker-than-expected PC chip sales.
• Fourth-quarter guidance disappointed, with revenue and EPS both coming in below Wall Street expectations.
• Shares fell roughly 20% in after-hours trading following the report.
• A plant incident in Israel is expected to reduce fourth-quarter revenue by about $300 million.
• For more on Intel's latest developments, visit Major News, Today's Price Move, Price Targets, and Forecast pages for additional context on the stock.
• Explore Trending AI Robots to see how AI-driven trading strategies are tracking Intel and other semiconductor names.

Earnings Context and Why It Matters

Intel's third-quarter report carried outsized weight for investors trying to gauge whether the chipmaker's turnaround is gaining traction. After a challenging stretch of market-share losses, Intel has leaned heavily on its data center central processing units (CPUs) and its contract chip manufacturing arm, Intel Foundry, to drive a recovery. A 21% jump in quarterly revenue signaled momentum, but the market's focus quickly shifted to management's forward guidance. With artificial intelligence (AI) fueling server demand while the personal computer market softens, this report offered a key test of whether Intel can balance growth across its segments without sacrificing profitability.

Reported Results

For its third quarter ended September 26, 2026, Intel reported net revenue of $16.5 billion, up 21% from $13.65 billion a year earlier and roughly in line with the consensus estimate of about $16.48 billion. Adjusted EPS came in at $0.52, ahead of analyst expectations of approximately $0.40. On a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis, diluted EPS was $0.60, compared with $0.90 in the year-ago quarter.

Segment results told a divided story. The Intel Products segment, which includes PC and data center processors, generated $15.4 billion, slightly below estimates, as PC chip sales of $8.1 billion missed expectations while data center sales topped $7.3 billion. The Intel Foundry business stood out, with revenue of $6.7 billion, up 58% year over year and above the roughly $6.1 billion analysts projected.

Looking ahead, Intel guided fourth-quarter revenue to a range of $15.0 billion to $16.0 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.25, both below consensus forecasts of about $17.08 billion and $0.44, respectively. Management cited declining PC demand and the impact of an incident at an Israeli facility, expected to trim roughly $300 million from quarterly revenue.

AI Screener

Tickeron's AI Screener is an AI-powered stock and exchange-traded fund (ETF) discovery tool designed to help traders and investors filter the market based on technical patterns, fundamentals, trends, volatility, and AI-driven signals. Users can scan thousands of stocks and ETFs using customizable criteria such as industry, market capitalization, technical indicators, price patterns, and performance metrics. The screener helps surface trade ideas, trending stocks, breakout candidates, and market opportunities more efficiently than manual screening, making it a practical companion for investors tracking Intel's post-earnings moves. Consider exploring the AI Screener to build a more data-driven view of the semiconductor landscape.

Market Reaction and Investor Sentiment

Investor reaction to the report was sharply negative. Despite beating third-quarter estimates, Intel's soft fourth-quarter guidance triggered a sell-off, with shares plunging roughly 20% in after-hours trading. The decline reflected concern that the PC market's post-upgrade slowdown, coupled with higher component costs, could pressure near-term results even as data center and foundry momentum continues. Sentiment heading into the print had been relatively upbeat, with the stock up more than 150% year to date. The guidance miss reset those expectations, underscoring how heavily the market is weighing Intel's ability to sustain growth into 2027.

Forward Outlook and Key Factors to Monitor

The most important near-term signal will be whether Intel's fourth-quarter guidance proves conservative or reflects a more durable slowdown. Investors should watch PC demand closely, particularly as the market works through difficult comparisons to last year's Windows 10 end-of-support upgrade cycle and absorbs higher PC prices.

On the data center side, AI-driven demand for CPUs remains a bright spot. Continued strength in server sales could help offset consumer weakness, while Intel's Foundry business is worth monitoring for signs of new customer commitments and production ramp progress.

Costs and margins also deserve attention. Rising memory and substrate expenses, along with the temporary impact of the Israel facility incident, could pressure profitability in the coming quarter. Finally, any commentary on capital spending plans and the fiscal 2027 outlook will be critical, as investors seek clarity on how Intel intends to fund its foundry ambitions while defending its balance sheet.

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