On Friday, Intel Corporation experienced a significant downturn in its stock value, declining over 12% due to a discouraging revenue forecast for the first quarter. This downturn is indicative of the chipmaker’s ongoing struggle to keep pace in the rapidly evolving Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector, compounded by a concurrent downturn in the PC market.
Despite the general surge within the chip industry, propelled by the rising demand for AI-capable hardware, Intel appears to be an outlier. Analysts have observed that companies producing semiconductors tailored for generative AI applications have seen substantial gains, contrasting sharply with Intel’s current predicament.
The implications of Intel’s forecast extend beyond the company, exerting pressure on the broader semiconductor sector. The Philadelphia SE Semiconductor Index, a benchmark, fell 2.7%, marking its most significant decline in over three weeks. This ripple effect underscores the interconnectedness of the industry and the weight of Intel’s performance within it.
Hans Mosesmann, an analyst at Rosenblatt Securities, noted the apparent absence of AI-centric growth initiatives at Intel, which he believes signals another transitional year for the company. This sentiment is mirrored in the market reactions of other key players in the semiconductor space, including Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices, Qualcomm, and Micron Technology, all of which experienced stock price declines ranging from 1.3% to 2.8%.
Intel’s market valuation took a substantial hit, erasing approximately $24.9 billion based on the closing price of $43.65 on Friday. This downturn is particularly notable given the 90% surge in Intel’s shares throughout 2023. The forecasted revenue for the current quarter is anticipated to fall short of market expectations by over $2 billion, highlighting the challenges Intel faces.
Industry observers, such as Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, express concerns over Intel’s ability to remain competitive. As companies like Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices become increasingly integral to the AI-driven market, Intel’s slower pace in AI-specific chip development could pose significant risks.
Despite these challenges, Intel’s central processing units (CPUs) continue to play a role in AI systems, often in conjunction with Nvidia’s AI chips. Approximately one-third of Intel’s server CPUs are now sold as part of AI configurations, indicating some level of involvement in the AI space.
Amid the prevailing concerns, some analysts maintain a positive outlook on Intel, with at least 15 brokerages adjusting their price targets upwards. The median brokerage price target stands at $44, reflecting a cautious optimism regarding Intel’s long-term prospects in AI.
Comments from industry analysts like Thomas Monteiro of Investing.com suggest that Intel’s strategic investments in AI could yield benefits in the future, albeit at a slower pace than initially anticipated. Intel’s current valuation, trading at around 28 times its 12-month forward earnings estimates, is compared to its peers, AMD and Nvidia, which trade at higher multiples.