Nvidia (NVDA) stunned markets on Thursday by announcing a $5 billion investment in Intel (INTC), instantly becoming one of the struggling chipmaker’s biggest shareholders. The deal prices Intel shares at $23.28 each, giving Nvidia around 4% ownership once new shares are issued. Intel stock exploded 28% to $31.97 on the news, while Nvidia shares rose more than 3%.
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The investment comes just weeks after the U.S. government itself stepped in with an extraordinary move to take a 10% stake in Intel. Now, with Nvidia on board, Intel has not only political backing but also the market’s hottest AI company signaling confidence in its turnaround. For a company once written off as a fading giant, the double lifeline could be the start of a new chapter.
Intel and Nvidia Join Forces on Chips
The partnership goes beyond money. Intel and Nvidia will jointly develop custom processors for both PCs and data centers. Intel will design central processing units, while Nvidia will integrate those chips into its AI infrastructure platforms. The two also plan to co-develop circuits that merge Nvidia hardware with Intel components for use in personal computers.
Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan welcomed the deal, saying, “We appreciate the confidence Jensen (Huang) and the Nvidia team have placed in us with their investment and look forward to the work ahead as we innovate for customers and grow our business.” For Intel, the deal signals renewed relevance. For Nvidia, it’s a strategic expansion of influence across computing’s supply chain.
The Agreement Lands Just as Intel Faces Political Scrutiny
The agreement lands in the middle of heavy political scrutiny over Intel’s future. Intel’s new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, was pushed into controversy earlier this year after questions about his links to China. This led to a tense Washington intervention, with President Trump pressuring the company into giving the U.S. government its 10% stake.
With Nvidia’s investment now locked in, the optics change. Analysts say the deal could help Nvidia score political points in Washington by aligning its future with U.S. manufacturing. Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG Group, called it “a reflection of Nvidia looking to diversify its investment within the U.S. and as well to gain some brownie points with the U.S. government.”
Should TSMC & AMD Start Worrying?
The pact could have major ripple effects across the semiconductor industry. For now, TSMC (TSM) manufactures Nvidia’s most advanced chips. But with Nvidia now tied to Intel, speculation will mount that some of that lucrative business could eventually shift away from Taiwan and toward U.S. production. That possibility puts TSMC on notice.
AMD (AMD) also has reason to worry. The company has been competing with Intel for data center contracts, but Nvidia’s endorsement of Intel threatens to tilt the balance. While the companies insist the deal doesn’t involve Intel’s contract foundry business, few believe Nvidia would write a $5 billion check without long-term strategic goals. The real test will be whether Intel can actually deliver competitive chips fast enough to keep Nvidia’s interest.
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