Based on Intel's Q4 results and forward guidance, the current selloff appears driven primarily by near-term execution risks and supply constraints, though structural turnaround catalysts (18A/14A nodes) remain pivotal for long-term recovery. Key factors:
1. Q1 Guidance Weakness: Near-Term Execution Headwinds.
Revenue Guidance (11.7B–12.7B) missed consensus ($12.6B), citing supply constraints limiting Data Center/AI chip shipments.
Gross Margin Guidance (34.5%) fell sharply from Q4's 37.9%, reflecting yield issues and higher startup costs for 18A production.
EPS Guidance ($0.00) implies profitability pressure despite cost-cutting efforts.
2. Long-Term Catalysts: 18A Momentum vs. 14A Uncertainty
18A Progress:
Mass production underway (first U.S.-based leading-node fab), with Microsoft's "Griffin" AI accelerator order secured.
Potential design wins from NVIDIA, AMD, and others if yields improve.
14A Transition Risk:
Roadmap acceleration to 14A (beyond 18A) may divert R&D resources and delay customer adoption timelines.
External foundry customers remain cautious pending 18A yield validation.
3. Execution Risks: The Core Concern
Historical Inconsistency: Past node delays (e.g., 10nm, 7nm) undermine confidence in 18A/14A execution.
Margin Pressure: Q1 gross margin guidance suggests 18A yields are not yet optimal, impacting near-term profitability.
Leadership Transition: New CEO's restructuring may take years to show results, with AI opportunities still lagging peers.
4. Valuation Context
Current PE (TTM): 1367.54 (loss-making) vs. Forward PE: 16.66 – reflecting high expectations for future earnings.
Post-selloff, shares trade near 52.90(52−weekhigh:54.60), with technical support at 48–50.
Conclusion: High-Risk Inflection Point
Intel's selloff stems from near-term operational gaps (supply/margins), but the long-term thesis hinges entirely on 18A/14A execution:
Opportunity Case: If 18A yields improve by mid-2026 and customer pipeline expands (e.g., NVIDIA adopts 14A), current prices may be attractive.
Trap Case: Persistent execution issues or 14A delays could erode foundry credibility, extending financial pressure.
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