Intel Corporation reported a 23 percent increase in its share price on April 24, 2026, following the release of its first-quarter financial results. The company posted revenue of $16.8 billion for the quarter ending March 31, 2026, surpassing the consensus estimate of $15.2 billion. Earnings per share reached $0.48 on a non-GAAP basis, significantly higher than the $0.32 projected by analysts. This performance marks a significant turnaround for the semiconductor manufacturer as it executes its long-term manufacturing roadmap.
The Data Center and AI division emerged as the primary driver of growth, reporting revenue of $5.4 billion, a 35 percent increase year-over-year. This growth was attributed to the high volume of shipments for the Intel Xeon 6 processor family and the accelerated adoption of the Gaudi 3 and Gaudi 4 AI accelerators. Intel confirmed that it has secured five major design wins for its Intel 18A process technology, which is currently on track for high-volume manufacturing in the second half of 2026. The company also noted that its AI-optimized server chips now account for over 40 percent of its total data center revenue.
In the Client Computing Group, Intel reported revenue of $8.2 billion. The company highlighted the successful launch of its latest mobile and desktop architectures, which have integrated enhanced Neural Processing Units to support local AI workloads. According to the earnings report, Intel has shipped over 50 million AI-enabled PCs since the start of the initiative in late 2024, with the first quarter of 2026 alone accounting for 12 million units. This volume reflects a growing demand for hardware capable of running generative AI applications natively.
Chief Executive Officer Pat Gelsinger stated during the earnings call that the company’s five nodes in four years strategy is nearing completion, with the Intel 14A node now entering the early stages of development. Gelsinger noted that the demand for AI infrastructure has shifted from experimental phases to large-scale enterprise deployments, benefiting Intel’s foundry and product divisions simultaneously. The company also reported that its High-NA EUV lithography systems are now fully operational at its Oregon facility, contributing to improved wafer yields.
Intel Foundry reported a narrowing of operating losses, posting a loss of $1.8 billion compared to $2.5 billion in the same period the previous year. The division's revenue grew to $4.9 billion, supported by increased external customer packaging orders and the utilization of advanced packaging technologies like Foveros. For the second quarter of 2026, Intel issued guidance projecting revenue between $17.0 billion and $18.0 billion. The company expects a non-GAAP gross margin of 45.5 percent, citing improved efficiency across its manufacturing footprint.