Intel's stock soars 15% as results top estimates, with chipmaker showing signs of growth

Intel has reported impressive first-quarter earnings that exceeded Wall Street forecasts, indicating a potential turnaround for the beleaguered chipmaker. In after-hours trading, shares of Intel surged by 15%, reflecting renewed investor confidence. As of Thursday's market close, Intel's stock has risen more than 80% this year, building on an extraordinary 84% increase in 2025. The chipmaker has garnered significant support, particularly from the Trump administration, which made the U.S. government its largest shareholder last year in an initiative to boost domestic chip production. Moreover, major investments from Nvidia and SoftBank have further solidified Intel's standing. Despite facing stiff competition from rivals like Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices, especially during the explosion of interest in artificial intelligence, Intel is starting to regain traction. The company reported a 7.2% increase in revenue, totaling $12.67 billion compared to the same quarter last year, reversing a trend of year-over-year revenue declines in five of the past seven quarters. Looking ahead, Intel projects second-quarter revenue between $13.8 billion and $14.8 billion, along with adjusted earnings per share of 20 cents. These figures significantly surpass analyst expectations, which estimated revenue at $13.07 billion and earnings per share at 9 cents. This optimistic outlook may signal a pivotal moment for Intel as it seeks to reclaim its position in the competitive chip market.