Intel Corp (NASDAQ:INTC) shares are trading approximately flat Wednesday morning, pausing for a breath after a sharp rally that has seen the stock add to gains of more than 90% in the past year. The stock is currently hovering near $43, holding close to fresh 52-week highs following a 20% breakout over the last five days. Here’s what investors need to know.
- INTC is showing positive momentum. See the market dynamics here.
What To Know: The momentum is driven by reports that the semiconductor giant may reclaim its most famous lost client: Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL). Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently revealed that Apple has signed a non-disclosure agreement to evaluate Intel's advanced “18A” manufacturing process. Rumors suggest Apple could outsource production of entry-level M-series chips to Intel foundries by 2027.
While the projected volume of 15–20 million units is modest relative to Apple’s total output, the strategic implications are monumental. A partnership would validate the costly foundry pivot initiated by former CEO Pat Gelsinger and serve as a victory for the “Made in America” semiconductor push supported by the CHIPS Act.
For investors, the deal represents a potential turning point. If finalized, it would mark a stunning reversal of the 2020 split, potentially supercharging Intel’s reputation as a domestic alternative to TSMC and reducing Apple’s reliance on overseas supply chains.
This potential partnership validates the aggressive intervention seen this summer, when the Trump administration took an approximate 10% equity stake in Intel. In August, the White House moved to convert unpaid CHIPS Act grants into an $8.9 billion direct investment, effectively purchasing shares at $20.47.
Benzinga Edge Rankings: Data from Benzinga Edge highlights the sheer force of this rally, assigning Intel a Momentum score of 94.85, indicating exceptional buying strength relative to the broader market.
INTC Price Action: Intel shares were down 0.15% at $43.41 at the time of publication on Wednesday. The stock is trading near its 52-week high of $43.68.
Read Also: Job Market Suddenly Slips In November, Locking In Expectations For Another Fed Cut
How To Buy INTC Stock
By now you're likely curious about how to participate in the market for Intel – be it to purchase shares, or even attempt to bet against the company.
Buying shares is typically done through a brokerage account. You can find a list of possible trading platforms here. Many will allow you to buy “fractional shares,” which allows you to own portions of stock without buying an entire share.
If you're looking to bet against a company, the process is more complex. You'll need access to an options trading platform, or a broker who will allow you to “go short” a share of stock by lending you the shares to sell. The process of shorting a stock can be found at this resource. Otherwise, if your broker allows you to trade options, you can either buy a put option, or sell a call option at a strike price above where shares are currently trading – either way it allows you to profit off of the share price decline.
Image: Shutterstock
