Intel

Markets saw mixed trading as oil prices fell below $75 due to eased supply concerns, while Treasury yields rose. Tech stocks, particularly semiconductors, showed strength. Intel surged on a key executive hire to boost its foundry business, a critical area for AI chip advancements. Qnity also climbed, benefiting from the industry’s shift to chiplet architecture and advanced packaging, and remains relatively underfollowed by analysts.

Stocks rebounded strongly Thursday, recovering from Fed-induced jitters. Tech, especially semiconductors, led the surge, with the iShares Semiconductor ETF up over 6%. Jim Cramer praised the Fed’s data-driven approach, urging focus on current economic indicators. Intel’s stock jumped 8% on reports of a potential Apple collaboration, reinforcing Cramer’s belief in its turnaround. Qnity also climbed 7%, extending its year-to-date gains to over 100%, with Cramer predicting further valuation expansion as it’s recognized as a tech innovator.

U.S. stock futures show a positive start after yesterday’s downturn. Key developments include Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh’s focus on operational overhauls, signaling a potentially less accommodative policy. Geopolitical talks advance with a U.S.-Iran MOU and G7 discussions on AI governance. JetBlue realigns operations, while Florida’s Space Coast booms. Intel secures a U.S. chip manufacturing deal with Apple, boosting its shares, while SpaceX faces post-IPO pressure. North Carolina’s Senate race emerges as a critical battleground for Democrats.

Intel’s stock surged on reports of potential major U.S. chip manufacturing deals involving Apple and Elon Musk’s ventures. Former President Trump stated Apple will collaborate with Intel on domestic chip design and production, while Musk’s “TerraFab” factory is planned in partnership with Intel. These potential collaborations could significantly boost Intel’s foundry business and U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, amid a strong overall semiconductor sector performance.

Jim Cramer names Intel his top stock pick, urging investors to look beyond its rally to AI opportunities. He highlights surging AI infrastructure demand and Intel’s foundry expansion as drivers for sustained growth. Cramer believes Intel’s pivotal role in the AI ecosystem, especially with CPUs and its U.S.-based foundry services, positions it for continued upward trajectory despite its recent gains.

Jim Cramer’s Charitable Trust has significantly increased its Intel stake, showing a strong bullish outlook. This move is driven by expectations of robust growth in Intel’s core CPU business, fueled by the accelerating adoption of agentic AI and a favorable CPU-to-GPU ratio shift in servers. Additionally, Intel’s foundry services are poised to benefit from companies seeking alternatives to TSMC, with potential endorsements like Elon Musk’s Terafab project further bolstering confidence.

Stocks traded mixed Friday amid geopolitical tensions with Iran and the highly anticipated SpaceX IPO. While oil prices dipped on de-escalation hopes, the focus shifted to SpaceX’s debut, priced at $135 per share with strong initial demand. Analysts advised caution for immediate post-IPO buyers. Meanwhile, Intel surged 5% following a double upgrade from Bank of America, driven by optimism for its foundry ambitions and data center CPU strategy. Other discussed stocks included Williams Sonoma, AMD, Arm, and Lennar.

Jim Cramer’s Charitable Trust increased its Intel stake, buying 100 shares. This reflects confidence in Intel’s AI positioning, particularly its CPU strength for the emerging Agentic AI era, and its growing foundry services ambitions amidst market volatility and supply chain pressures. The Trust sees long-term potential in Intel’s evolving strategy and manufacturing capabilities.

CNBC’s Investing Club discussed market volatility driven by rising oil prices and geopolitical concerns. Tech stocks and financial sectors faced pressure, while cybersecurity firms like Palo Alto Networks and CrowdStrike, despite post-earnings dips, benefit from AI tailwinds. The club initiated a position in Intel, citing AI demand, and remains optimistic about Broadcom. A rapid-fire review of other stocks concluded the meeting.

Former President Trump regrets not demanding a larger equity stake in Intel, suggesting he would have secured a “10% ownership for free.” He believes protective tariffs under his administration would have made Intel the dominant tech firm. The U.S. government acquired a 9.9% stake for approximately $8.9 billion, leading to Intel’s stock surging over 300%. Intel’s resurgence is bolstered by potential partnerships with Apple and Tesla, and renewed demand for its CPUs in the AI era.