Should I Buy INTC? INTC 2026 Analysis

Should You Buy Intel Corp (INTC) Today? Analysis, Price Targets, and 2026 Outlook.

Conclusion

Hold

Latest Price

48.780

1 Day change

11.04%

52 Week Range

54.600

Analysis Updated At

2026/01/26

Intel Corp (INTC) is not a strong buy at the moment for a beginner, long-term investor with $50,000-$100,000 available for investment. The stock has experienced significant price drops (-17.03% in regular market trading and -1.78% post-market), and its Q1 guidance is weak due to supply constraints. While hedge funds are buying, insider sentiment is neutral, and analysts are mixed with some seeing fair valuation or even overvaluation. The financial performance shows some improvement in net income and EPS, but revenue and gross margins are declining. Given the lack of strong positive catalysts, weak technical signals, and no recent Intellectia Proprietary Trading Signals, holding off on buying is recommended until clearer signs of recovery or growth emerge.

Technical Analysis

The stock's technical indicators are mixed. The MACD is positive but contracting, RSI is neutral at 42.288, and moving averages are bullish (SMA_5 > SMA_20 > SMA_200). However, the stock is trading near its S1 support level of 43.183, indicating potential downside risk. The recent price drop (-17.03%) and lack of strong momentum suggest caution.

Options Data

Bullish

Open Interest Put-Call Ratio

Bullish

Option Volume Put-Call Ratio

Technical Summary

Sell

Buy

Positive Catalysts

Hedge funds are significantly increasing their holdings (+1201.25% last quarter). Analysts acknowledge Intel's progress in foundry development and its strategic importance as a U.S. asset. Long-term growth potential exists if supply constraints are resolved.

Neutral/Negative Catalysts

The stock has dropped significantly (-17.03% regular market, -1.78% post-market). Q1 guidance is weak due to supply constraints, and analysts are cautious about Intel's ability to meet demand. David Tepper recently sold Intel shares, indicating reduced confidence. Financial performance shows declining revenue (-4.11% YoY) and gross margin (-7.69% YoY).

Financial Performance

In Q4 2025, revenue dropped to $13.67 billion (-4.11% YoY), and gross margin declined to 36.15% (-7.69% YoY). However, net income improved to -$591 million (+369.05% YoY), and EPS increased to -0.12 (+300% YoY). The financials reflect some improvement in profitability metrics but highlight challenges in revenue and margins.

Growth

Profitability

Efficiency

Analyst Ratings and Price Target Trends

Analysts are mixed. Some raised price targets (e.g., Benchmark to $57, UBS to $52) but noted supply constraints and structural challenges. Others, like BofA, maintain an Underperform rating with a $40 target, citing overvaluation and manufacturing risks. The consensus leans towards a cautious outlook with limited near-term upside.

29 Analyst Rating

Wall Street analysts forecast INTC stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for INTC is 39.3 USD with a low forecast of 20 USD and a high forecast of 52 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.

5 Buy

19 Hold

5 Sell

Hold

Current: 43.930

Low

Averages

39.3

High

Current: 43.930

Low

Averages

39.3

High

Tigress Financial

Buy

upgrade

$52 -> $66

AI Analysis

2026-01-28

New

Reason

Tigress Financial

Price Target

$52 -> $66

AI Analysis

2026-01-28

New

upgrade

Buy

Reason

Tigress Financial raised the firm's price target on Intel to $66 from $52 and keeps a Buy rating on the shares. The firm cites the company's AI data center tailwinds for the target boost. In addition, the AI PC refresh further advances Intel's turnaround "into an increasingly compelling multi-year upside story," the analyst tells investors in a research note. Tigress views the recent pullback in the shares as a "significant buying opportunity."

Morgan Stanley

Equal Weight

maintain

$38 -> $41

2026-01-25

New

Reason

Morgan Stanley

Price Target

$38 -> $41

2026-01-25

New

maintain

Equal Weight

Reason

Morgan Stanley raised the firm's price target on Intel to $41 from $38 and keeps an Equal Weight rating on the shares. The company reported upside to Q4 estimates but the Q1 outlook reflects "meaningful supply constraints," which is "problematic," the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm says supply constraints will not make Intel's customers feel better about its ability to consistently serve them in foundry.

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INTC Should I Buy

INTC Should I Buy

Should You Buy Intel Corp (INTC) Today? Analysis, Price Targets, and 2026 Outlook.

Technical Analysis

Options Data

Technical Summary

Positive Catalysts

Neutral/Negative Catalysts

Financial Performance

Growth

Profitability

Efficiency

Analyst Ratings and Price Target Trends

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