Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Intel, UNH, Rigetti — And All Eyes On Powell
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Aug 16 2025
0mins
Should l Buy INTC?
Source: Benzinga
Economic Indicators and Federal Reserve Outlook: July's inflation data showed mixed results, with the consumer price index steady at 2.7% year-over-year while the Producer Price Index rose sharply by 0.9%, complicating the Federal Reserve's decision on potential rate cuts, which investors still expect to be around 25 basis points in September.
Stock Market Highlights: Intel's stock surged over 25% following speculation of a U.S. government stake linked to the CHIPS Act, marking its best week since 2000, while other notable movements included bullish positions in UnitedHealth by prominent investors and bearish trends for companies like Rigetti Computing and Coherent Corp after disappointing earnings reports.
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Analyst Views on INTC
Wall Street analysts forecast INTC stock price to fall
29 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
19 Hold
5 Sell
Hold
Current: 41.190
Low
20.00
Averages
39.30
High
52.00
Current: 41.190
Low
20.00
Averages
39.30
High
52.00
About INTC
Intel Corporation is a global designer and manufacturer of semiconductor products. The Company operates through three segments: Intel Products, Intel Foundry, and All Other. Its Intel Products segment includes Client Computing Group (CCG), Data Center and AI (DCAI), Network and Edge (NEX). The CCG is bringing together the operating system, system architecture, hardware, and software application integration to enable PC experiences. DCAI delivers workload-optimized solutions to cloud service providers and enterprises, along with silicon devices for communications service providers, network and edge, and HPC customers. NEX helps networks and edge compute systems from fixed-function hardware to general-purpose compute, acceleration, and networking devices running cloud native software on programmable hardware. The Intel Foundry segment comprises technology development, manufacturing and foundry services. All Other segments include Altera, Mobileye, Other.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Intel to Report Q1 Financial Results on April 23, 2026
- Earnings Report Schedule: Intel has announced that it will release its Q1 financial results on April 23, 2026, after market close, reflecting the company's commitment to transparency and timely information for investors.
- Conference Call Timing: Following the earnings release, Intel will hold a conference call at 2 p.m. PT that day to discuss the results, enhancing investor interaction and potentially boosting market confidence.
- Webcast Availability: Investors can access a live webcast of the earnings conference call on Intel's Investor Relations website, ensuring broad dissemination of information and further enhancing company transparency and investor engagement.
- Company Background: Intel focuses on designing and manufacturing advanced semiconductors that drive modern computing, emphasizing its ongoing efforts in technological innovation and market leadership.
See More
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- Key Oil Chokepoint: The Strait of Hormuz handled 20% of global oil and LNG supplies before the war, while the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which saw 4.2 million barrels flow through last year, is becoming increasingly critical as oil heads to Europe.
- Saudi Arabia's Response: Saudi Arabia has ramped up oil volumes on the East-West Pipeline to 7 million barrels per day, a 330% increase from pre-war levels, partially bypassing the Strait of Hormuz to maintain its export capacity.
- Increased Market Risks: If the Bab el-Mandeb Strait also closes, oil prices could surge to $150-$200 per barrel, exacerbating global economic pressures, particularly on countries and companies reliant on these critical chokepoints.
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- Stable Dividend Growth: Verizon has raised its dividend for 22 consecutive years, with the latest quarterly dividend set at $0.71, resulting in a dividend yield of approximately 5.6%, making it attractive for income-seeking investors.
- Significant User Growth: In Q4 2025, Verizon reported 616,000 postpaid phone net additions, the highest quarterly net additions since 2019, indicating strong market demand and customer acquisition.
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- Inventory Clearance Strategy: Management indicated that efforts to clear excess inventory of classic styles resulted in a five-point revenue headwind this quarter, with expectations of a continued revenue decline of 2%-4% in the upcoming quarters, highlighting the slow progress of Nike's turnaround and dampening investor confidence.
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See More
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- Strong U.S. Crude Performance: U.S. crude for May also increased by 1.5% to $102.92 per barrel, with a 51% rise in March, representing the best performance since May 2020, reflecting concerns over supply disruptions.
- Escalating Geopolitical Risks: Iranian drones targeted fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport, causing a massive fire and exacerbating global economic fears over reliance on Middle Eastern oil, especially with shipments through the Strait of Hormuz nearly halted.
- Trump's Withdrawal Statement: Trump indicated that U.S. forces are expected to leave Iran in two to three weeks, dismissing the need for a negotiated deal to end the conflict, which could lead to further oil price volatility and impact global market stability.
See More
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- Volume Spike: Trading volume reached 214.6 million shares, 16.6% above the three-month average, reflecting strong market interest and confidence in Nvidia's future growth potential.
- Market Performance: With Nvidia's influence, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose 2.92% and 3.83%, respectively, showcasing overall market optimism towards the semiconductor sector, particularly amid the AI investment surge.
- Strategic Implications: The partnership with Marvell not only strengthens Nvidia's position in AI networking and custom chip development but also signifies ongoing expansion across the AI supply chain, prompting investors to watch for similar large-scale infrastructure deals to sustain market momentum.
See More
Intel to Report Q1 Financial Results on April 23, 2026
- Earnings Report Schedule: Intel has announced that it will release its Q1 financial results on April 23, 2026, after market close, reflecting the company's commitment to transparency and timely information for investors.
- Conference Call Timing: Following the earnings release, Intel will hold a conference call at 2 p.m. PT that day to discuss the results, enhancing investor interaction and potentially boosting market confidence.
- Webcast Availability: Investors can access a live webcast of the earnings conference call on Intel's Investor Relations website, ensuring broad dissemination of information and further enhancing company transparency and investor engagement.
- Company Background: Intel focuses on designing and manufacturing advanced semiconductors that drive modern computing, emphasizing its ongoing efforts in technological innovation and market leadership.
See More
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- Oil Price Surge: The effective blockage of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has pushed crude prices above $100 per barrel, and if the blockage persists, it could lead to a severe oil supply shortage impacting the global economy.
- Key Oil Chokepoint: The Strait of Hormuz handled 20% of global oil and LNG supplies before the war, while the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which saw 4.2 million barrels flow through last year, is becoming increasingly critical as oil heads to Europe.
- Saudi Arabia's Response: Saudi Arabia has ramped up oil volumes on the East-West Pipeline to 7 million barrels per day, a 330% increase from pre-war levels, partially bypassing the Strait of Hormuz to maintain its export capacity.
- Increased Market Risks: If the Bab el-Mandeb Strait also closes, oil prices could surge to $150-$200 per barrel, exacerbating global economic pressures, particularly on countries and companies reliant on these critical chokepoints.
See More
Verizon Up 24% in 2026 and Increases Dividend: Time to Buy?
- Strong Stock Performance: As of March 27, Verizon's stock has risen 24% year-to-date, marking it as a standout performer in the tech sector, demonstrating resilience amid market volatility.
- Stable Dividend Growth: Verizon has raised its dividend for 22 consecutive years, with the latest quarterly dividend set at $0.71, resulting in a dividend yield of approximately 5.6%, making it attractive for income-seeking investors.
- Significant User Growth: In Q4 2025, Verizon reported 616,000 postpaid phone net additions, the highest quarterly net additions since 2019, indicating strong market demand and customer acquisition.
- Acquisition Expands Network: Verizon's acquisition of Frontier Communications has expanded its fiber access to over 30 million homes and businesses, enhancing its competitive position and service capabilities in the telecommunications market.
See More
Nike's Earnings Fall Short of Expectations, Stock Plummets
- Flat Earnings Report: Nike's Q3 revenue stood at $11.28 billion, flat year-over-year and down 3% in constant currency, slightly exceeding the market expectation of $11.23 billion; however, this lackluster performance led to a 9% drop in after-hours trading, reflecting investor disappointment.
- Declining Gross Margin: The gross margin fell by 130 basis points to 40.2%, primarily due to tariffs in North America, while selling, general, and administrative expenses rose 2% to $3.98 billion, resulting in a 23% decline in operating income to $635 million, indicating increasing cost pressures.
- Inventory Clearance Strategy: Management indicated that efforts to clear excess inventory of classic styles resulted in a five-point revenue headwind this quarter, with expectations of a continued revenue decline of 2%-4% in the upcoming quarters, highlighting the slow progress of Nike's turnaround and dampening investor confidence.
- Running Category Growth: Despite overall struggles, revenue from the running category surged over 20%, and North American footwear sales grew 6%, showcasing potential in specific areas; management hopes to leverage this success across other sports categories, yet concerns about ongoing revenue declines persist.
See More
Crude Oil Prices Surge Amid Middle East Tensions
- Oil Price Surge: Brent crude for June delivery rose 1.5% to $105.56 per barrel, with March prices soaring over 60%, marking the largest monthly rally since 1988, indicating market sensitivity to Middle Eastern tensions.
- Strong U.S. Crude Performance: U.S. crude for May also increased by 1.5% to $102.92 per barrel, with a 51% rise in March, representing the best performance since May 2020, reflecting concerns over supply disruptions.
- Escalating Geopolitical Risks: Iranian drones targeted fuel tanks at Kuwait International Airport, causing a massive fire and exacerbating global economic fears over reliance on Middle Eastern oil, especially with shipments through the Strait of Hormuz nearly halted.
- Trump's Withdrawal Statement: Trump indicated that U.S. forces are expected to leave Iran in two to three weeks, dismissing the need for a negotiated deal to end the conflict, which could lead to further oil price volatility and impact global market stability.
See More
Nvidia Shares Surge on $2 Billion Marvell Investment
- Stock Surge: Nvidia's stock rose 5.56% to $174.40, primarily driven by a $2 billion investment from Marvell Technology and an expanded AI infrastructure partnership, indicating a new catalyst for AI demand.
- Volume Spike: Trading volume reached 214.6 million shares, 16.6% above the three-month average, reflecting strong market interest and confidence in Nvidia's future growth potential.
- Market Performance: With Nvidia's influence, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose 2.92% and 3.83%, respectively, showcasing overall market optimism towards the semiconductor sector, particularly amid the AI investment surge.
- Strategic Implications: The partnership with Marvell not only strengthens Nvidia's position in AI networking and custom chip development but also signifies ongoing expansion across the AI supply chain, prompting investors to watch for similar large-scale infrastructure deals to sustain market momentum.
See More
