Foundry

Intel aims to regain its leadership with the 18A chip manufacturing process. Facing stiff competition, especially from TSMC, Intel’s success hinges on securing external foundry clients beyond its internal use. Investments from the U.S. government and others bolster this ambition, but convincing rivals to trust Intel with their critical designs remains a significant challenge. A cultural shift towards execution and disciplined investment is underway, with Intel emphasizing improved yield and efficiency. The company’s future in advanced chip manufacturing depends on proving the capabilities of 18A and attracting major players to its Arizona facilities.

Intel shares surged after analyst Ming‑Chi Kuo predicted Intel could ship a low‑end “M” processor to Apple as early as Q2‑Q3 2027, contingent on Intel delivering its process design kit in early 2026. While Apple remains heavily reliant on TSMC and the expected order volume is modest, the potential deal would validate Intel’s U.S. foundry push and could open higher‑volume, higher‑value business. Despite a brief pull‑back in pre‑market trading, the outlook highlights Intel’s strategic shift toward competing with Asian foundries and diversifying Apple’s supply chain.

Intel (INTC) reported strong Q3 revenue exceeding expectations, signaling a PC market recovery. CEO Lip-Bu Tan showcased the upcoming Panther Lake CPU. Revenue reached $13.65 billion, with adjusted EPS at 23 cents. A $5.7B government grant impacted net income. Q4 revenue is projected at $13.3B. Intel partners with Nvidia for AI integration, while its foundry division faces challenges attracting external clients. Workforce reductions continue as Intel navigates a competitive landscape and invests in its foundry and AI strategies.

Intel and AMD are reportedly in early talks regarding AMD potentially using Intel’s foundry services. This news boosted Intel’s shares by 7%. Securing AMD as a client would be a major win for Intel, validating its foundry strategy and attracting further investment. It would also signify significant trust from AMD, a direct competitor in the processor market. Diversifying to Intel could improve AMD’s supply chain. Intel’s foundry ambitions are supported by government and Nvidia investments as signals of confidence in Intel’s turnaround, boosting its shares nearly 77% year-to-date. Both companies declined to comment.

Intel received a $5.7 billion U.S. government investment as part of a White House initiative taking a 10% equity stake. CFO David Zinsner also suggested exploring outside investment for Intel’s foundry business, a key growth area. While Q2 results beat expectations, shares dropped due to foundry capital intensity concerns. Intel cautioned that the deal could face “adverse reactions” from stakeholders, including investors and foreign governments, and increased scrutiny. The White House acknowledges the deal is still being finalized.

Intel’s foundry ambitions face disruption as three key manufacturing executives are reportedly retiring: Kaizad Mistry, Ryan Russell, and Gary Patton. Mistry and Russell oversaw process technology development, while Patton focused on design platform solutions for foundry clients. These departures create a knowledge gap in Intel’s manufacturing roadmap, crucial for attracting external customers to Intel Foundry Services (IFS). Intel is also reportedly reviewing its technology development structure, potentially streamlining capacity planning and reducing engineering headcount.

Samsung has reportedly delayed its 1.4nm test line construction, potentially pushing production rollout to 2028 due to market headwinds and its foundry business’s financial losses. The company is now focusing on its 2nm process, aiming for mass production by year-end, and pursuing orders from top suppliers like Tesla and Qualcomm. They plan to deploy the 2nm process at their new Texas facility.