Intel Corporation, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, released its fourth-quarter financial results after the close of trading on Thursday, revealing a performance that topped market predictions for both revenue and earnings per share.
The chipmaker reported quarterly revenue reaching $13.67 billion, outperforming the analyst consensus, which forecasted $13.37 billion. Additionally, adjusted earnings per share (EPS) amounted to 15 cents, surpassing the expected eight cents per share. However, total revenue reflected a 4% decrease compared with the prior year's fourth quarter.
A detailed revenue breakdown by segment showed notable variances: the Client Computing Group generated $8.2 billion, down 7% from a year earlier, indicating sustained softness in consumer and commercial PC demand. Contrasting this, the Data Center and AI segment experienced a 9% increase in revenue year-over-year, producing $4.7 billion, underscoring growth tied to artificial intelligence and data infrastructure.
The Intel Foundry Services division posted $4.5 billion in revenue, marking a 4% rise from last year, highlighting the company’s expanding manufacturing services. Meanwhile, total revenue generated by Intel’s product sales declined by 1% to $12.9 billion, and other revenue segments dropped significantly by 48% to $600 million.
Cash flow from operating activities during the quarter amounted to $4.3 billion, contributing to an end-of-quarter cash and cash equivalents balance of approximately $14.27 billion, illustrating a strong liquidity position.
CEO Lip-Bu Tan emphasized the company’s growing confidence in the critical role CPUs will play in the advancing AI era. He pointed to the launch of Intel’s first products utilizing their 18A process technology—the most advanced semiconductor manufacturing process developed domestically in the United States—as a key milestone. Tan indicated that Intel is ramping up production capacity to meet robust customer demand for these technologies.
Looking ahead, Intel provided guidance for the first quarter of the next fiscal year, projecting revenue between $11.7 billion and $12.7 billion, slightly below the consensus estimate of $12.49 billion. The adjusted EPS for the upcoming quarter is expected to reach breakeven, falling short of analyst forecasts for five cents per share.
The company outlined strategic priorities to enhance operational execution, revitalize its engineering capabilities, and fully capture the opportunities AI presents across Intel’s business segments as it navigates ongoing market dynamics.
A conference call scheduled for 5 p.m. Eastern Time will allow Intel’s management team to discuss these results and strategic initiatives in detail with investors and analysts.
In response to the earnings announcement and the tempered outlook, Intel's stock price declined by 5.74% in after-hours trading, registering at approximately $51.15 per share according to market data sources at the time of publication.
Intel’s quarter reflects a balance of progress in strategic growth areas, like AI and foundry services, alongside ongoing challenges in established segments such as client computing. Market reaction underscores investor caution as the company faces a mixed near-term forecast despite recent technological milestones.