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Intel Gets $8.5B to Reinforce US Chip Manufacturing

Alex Vellor
09:24am, Wednesday, Mar 20, 2024

Photo by Slejven Djurakovic on Unsplash

In a significant move to revitalize U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, the J. Biden administration has awarded Intel up to $8.5 billion in CHIPS Act funding.

This initiative, part of a broader effort to return chip production to American soil, could see Intel also receiving up to $11 billion in loans. Despite being overtaken in revenue by Nvidia, thanks to the AI boom, Intel's unique position as both a chip designer and manufacturer sets it apart in the industry, marking a pivotal step toward strengthening domestic semiconductor capabilities.

Fundamental Analysis of Intel Corporation (INTC)

Intel's market capitalization stands at approximately $177.79 billion, highlighting its substantial size and impact on the semiconductor industry. A notable piece of news is the recent announcement that Intel will receive nearly $20 billion in combined grants and loans from the United States government to expand its domestic semiconductor operations. This significant financial backing could be a game-changer, potentially propelling Intel forward amidst global chip shortages and increasing competition. 

However, the company's Price-to-Earnings (PE) ratio is notably high at 105.12, suggesting that the stock could be overvalued based on current earnings. This is further supported by a negative Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), indicating potential overpricing when considering the company's future cash flows. On the earnings side, Intel's EPS stands at 0.4, reflecting challenges in profitability amidst a highly competitive sector and significant investment for future growth. 

Intel's next earnings announcement is scheduled for April 25, 2024, which will be critical for investors to watch. The consensus among analysts is a 'Hold', with a target consensus price of $40.25, which is slightly below the current trading price.

Technical Analysis

Intel Corporation (Ticker: INTC) experienced a dip in its last trading session, closing at $42.05, which marked a 1.55% decrease from its previous closing price. The stock fluctuated between $41.44 and $42.29 throughout the day. The technical indicators present a mixed outlook. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 50, indicating neither overbought nor oversold conditions. However, the Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) is positive at 0.30, suggesting an underlying bullish trend. 

INTC 3-month stock chart on StockInvest.us

When looking at moving averages, INTC is trading below its 50-day moving average of $44.71 but above its 200-day moving average of $39.12. This disparity signals potential mid-term volatility but maintains a bullish standpoint in the longer term. The Average True Range (ATR) indicates a relatively high volatility level at 3.39, pointing toward potentially larger price movements in the near future. 

Long-term Investment Potential

The long-term investment potential of INTC looks promising, especially with the strategic government backing signaling confidence in Intel's role in the U.S. technology infrastructure. However, concerns around its current PE ratio and valuation must be considered, suggesting that the stock might be overvalued at present. 

Potential investors should weigh the high valuation against the long-term benefits of the company's massive investment in expansion and the strategic importance of semiconductor production within the U.S., especially in light of global supply chain challenges.


About The Author

Alex Vellor