Intel Stock Trending as Analysts Weigh Turnaround

(INTC) stock has fallen 4.0% over the past week, but that short-term dip comes after a powerful rally: shares are up 24.6% in the last month and an impressive 116.4% over the past 12 months. At a last closing price of $45.07, Intel’s recent volatility reflects a market trying to balance profit-taking after a strong run with optimism about the company’s turnaround. On a 12‑month view, analysts overall sit at a Hold consensus, with an average price target of $48.25, suggesting modest upside from current levels.

Wall Street’s analysts, taken together, are essentially neutral on Intel, forecasting a limited increase for the stock over the next twelve months. The average target of $48.25 points to a cautious stance: after such a sharp rise over the past year, many see the easy gains as already captured. Still, the Hold consensus masks some notable bullish voices who believe Intel’s transformation in manufacturing and foundry services could unlock further value if execution improves.

One of the most positive calls comes from Cody Acree, a highly ranked semiconductor analyst who reiterated his Buy rating on Intel on January 23, 2026 and raised his price target to $57.00 from $50.00. That new target stands meaningfully above both the current share price and the broader Street average, signaling that he sees more room for upside even after the strong run. Acree’s call implies confidence that the recent pullback is more of a breather than the end of the story for Intel’s rally.

In his report, Acree describes Intel as a company in rapid transition. He highlights meaningful technological progress, including the successful delivery of the 18A process and the early launch of Core Ultra Series 3, as signs that Intel’s engineering and manufacturing competitiveness are improving. At the same time, he points to near-term friction—supply bottlenecks, inventory misalignments, and margin pressures from new process ramps and component pricing—as reasons why the recovery path will not be smooth. The analyst expects 2026 to be a “prove‑it” year in which Intel must show it can scale innovations like RibbonFET, PowerVia, and High‑NA EUV profitably while meeting surging AI‑related demand.

Acree also notes that demand in both Client and Data Center is currently outpacing Intel’s ability to supply, particularly in server markets where XEON CPU volumes have even surprised hyperscale customers. This strength has driven Intel to draw down finished goods inventories and ramp wafer starts, but long manufacturing lead times mean supply will be tight through the first quarter before improving later in the year. Overall, he believes the current quarter should mark the fundamental low point for 2026, with momentum building into 2027 as supply improves and external foundry engagements mature. This N‑star analyst ranks #93 out of 11,984 on TipRanks, with a 68.53% success rate and a 26.10% average return per rating, lending additional weight to his bullish stance. Never miss a stock rating. Find all the latest ratings on TipRanks’ Top Wall Street Analysts page.