Intel Shares in Focus Ahead of Quarterly Earnings Report

As Intel prepares to release its fourth-quarter financial results, investor attention is firmly fixed on the chipmaker. While U.S. markets were closed for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, trading in Europe and a series of analyst actions have generated pre-earnings activity. On the Tradegate exchange in Frankfurt, the stock traded slightly lower, near €39.75, following its last U.S. session close at $46.96.

In the days leading up to Thursday's report, a noticeable shift has occurred in analyst sentiment from major institutions. Several firms have raised their price targets or initiated new coverage, albeit often with a cautious overall stance.

The earnings release is scheduled for Thursday, January 22, after the U.S. market close. Consensus estimates point to earnings per share (EPS) of $0.08, a decline of approximately 38.5% compared to the prior-year quarter. Revenue is expected to come in around $13.4 billion, roughly 6% lower year-over-year. This cautious outlook stands in contrast to the stock's performance, which has gained over 100% in the past twelve months. The options market is currently pricing in a potential share price movement of about 7.5% following the announcement.

Recent analyst moves include Jefferies reaffirming its "Hold" rating on January 16 while lifting its price target to $45. The previous day, Citigroup upgraded its stance to "Neutral," assigning a $50 target. Also on January 15, RBC Capital Markets initiated coverage with an identical $50 price objective.

Despite the anticipated declines in profit and revenue, medium-term catalysts are providing underlying support. Noted top investor Timothy Green highlighted today that Intel's planned "Panther Lake" chip and nearly sold-out server CPU capacity for 2026 are creating a constructive growth narrative.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Intel?

Sector Tailwinds and Strategic Positioning

The broader semiconductor sector's momentum is benefiting Intel. Strong quarterly results recently posted by TSMC are viewed by market observers as a positive indicator for the industry, signaling sustained high demand for AI chips and suggesting the cyclical downturn may have passed.

Further positive signals are emerging from the CES 2026 event, where reports indicate a strengthening PC and notebook cycle. Partners like Samsung are showcasing new laptops powered by Intel's upcoming "Panther Lake" processors. This product launch is a central component of Intel's strategy to recapture market share in the client computing segment from rivals like AMD.

Regulatory concerns, however, remain a persistent uncertainty. Reports today underscore the ongoing scrutiny of chip export controls to China, which continues to cloud the outlook for the global semiconductor industry.

Technical Landscape and Thursday's Stakes

Intel's share price is currently trading in the upper band of its 52-week range, which spans from $17.67 to $50.39. From a technical perspective, the $50 area represents a significant psychological and chart-based resistance level.

The upcoming report could be pivotal. A convincing set of results, accompanied by clear commentary on margins within the foundry business and the timeline for "Panther Lake," might provide the catalyst for a breakout above this key threshold. Conversely, should guidance—particularly for the Data Center and AI (DCAI) segment—disappoint, a pullback toward the $43 level is possible. This price point aligns closely with the current average analyst price target.