Intel Stock Rebounds as AI Hopes Trump Doubts

Intel ( (INTC) ) has risen by 9.37%. Read on to learn why.

Intel shares climbed 9.37% over the past week as investors reassessed the chipmaker’s mixed signals and growing role in the AI and semiconductor upcycle. The stock initially slumped after Intel’s latest quarterly report, when weaker-than-expected guidance clashed with high hopes in an AI-driven market. But sentiment has since improved, helped by a broader chip rally sparked by Texas Instruments’ upbeat outlook and by Intel’s own moves, including an employee-focused commitment to match the government’s new “Trump Accounts” savings program for children, which reinforces its long‑term talent and innovation strategy.

Behind the price move is a debate about whether Intel’s turnaround has further to run or is already reflected in the share price. Wall Street’s consensus rating on the stock remains Hold, with the average 12‑month target hovering around the current trading level, suggesting many analysts see limited near‑term upside after a powerful 12‑month rally. Yet influential voices like CNBC’s Jim Cramer argue that Intel’s results weren’t as weak as the market reaction implied, framing the “dismal guidance” more as a capacity bottleneck than a demand problem.

Some analysts and insiders are clearly more bullish, and that optimism is helping support Intel’s recent rebound. Seaport’s Jay Goldberg and Tigress Financial’s Ivan Feinseth both rate the stock a Buy, with price targets well above consensus, citing strong AI data center demand, progress on Intel’s advanced 18A manufacturing node, and an expected AI PC upgrade cycle as foundations for multi‑year growth. Adding to that confidence, Intel’s CFO recently bought shares on the open market, a signal many traders view as a vote of confidence that the company’s strategic reset, expanding foundry ambitions, and supportive U.S. policy could translate into further gains despite short‑term volatility.