Intel Shares Surge on Speculation of Major Apple Contract

Intel, once considered a laggard in the semiconductor industry, is witnessing a dramatic resurgence in its stock price. The catalyst for this renewed investor enthusiasm appears to be a potential landmark manufacturing agreement with Apple, according to a recent analyst report. As the equity climbs to multi-year highs, market participants are assessing whether the company's strategic turnaround is now firmly on track.

The stock reached a new 52-week high of $47.29 in Wednesday's trading session. This upward movement is supported by operational progress and follows an optimistic assessment from Bank of America. After a meeting with Intel's management, the bank indicated it anticipates fourth-quarter revenues to hit the upper end of the company's guidance, citing robust server sales that are offsetting continued softness in the PC segment.

A significant driver of the recent rally is an upgraded rating from KeyBanc Capital Markets. Analysts there moved Intel to an "Overweight" recommendation, attaching a price target of $60. Their research suggests that Intel Foundry Services (IFS) may have secured Apple as a client for its advanced 18A manufacturing node. Production for Apple's M-series processors could commence as early as next year, with the potential for the partnership to extend to iPhone chips by 2029. Furthermore, KeyBanc notes that Intel's server CPU capacity for 2026 is already "largely sold out" due to massive demand for AI infrastructure.

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

Leadership Strategy Showing Results

This positive news flow is seen as a validation of the strategy implemented under CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who assumed the role in March 2025. Succeeding Pat Gelsinger, Tan's leadership has emphasized strict capital discipline and the precise execution of the company's manufacturing roadmap. Technical milestones, such as reported yields exceeding 60% for the critical 18A process, signal that Intel is regaining its competitive footing in cutting-edge chip fabrication.

The Next Catalyst: Forthcoming Earnings

Investor attention now turns to January 22, 2026, when Intel is scheduled to release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 financial results. The market will be looking for confirmation of the revenue forecast, which stands between $12.8 billion and $13.8 billion. More critically, analysts and shareholders await any official commentary from management regarding the rumored Apple deal and the broader order book for 2026. Should the company corroborate the optimistic reports circulating on Wall Street, the stock's resistance level around $50 could be decisively broken.