Intel Shares Surge Following Strong Sales Forecast

Intel shares experienced a massive surge in late April 2026, reaching record highs, following a stronger-than-expected first-quarter earnings report and an optimistic sales forecast.

On April 24, Intel shares jumped approximately 23% to 31% after the announcement.

Revenue reached $13.6 billion, up 7% year-over-year, beating analyst expectations of $12.4 billion.

Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) were $0.29, significantly outperforming the consensus estimate of $0.01.

Key drivers included Data Center and AI growth, which climbed 22% to $5.1 billion, and Foundry revenue, which rose 16% to $5.4 billion.

Intel provided strong guidance for the second quarter, projecting revenue between $13.8 billion and $14.8 billion.

This turnaround is largely attributed to the "AI pivot," where the demand for CPUs in inference and agentic AI has increased.

CEO Lip-Bu Tan's comeback plan is showing clear results in operational efficiency and foundry success.

Investors now view Intel as an essential player in the AI era, sustained by strategic partnerships, such as the deal with Google, signaling a confident long-term trajectory.