Intel shares slide after weak forecast points to prolonged PC slump
Intel projected fourth-quarter revenue and earnings below Wall Street expectations due to persistent softness in the PC market, sending its shares down as much as 23% in extended trading.
Intel shares plunged between 15% and 23% in after-hours trading following the release of a weaker-than-expected fourth-quarter forecast for revenue, adjusted profit margins, and earnings per share. The Financial Times noted that the outlook interrupted a run of strong earnings earlier in 2026, while Quartz reported that the chipmaker's fourth-quarter revenue projection trailed analyst expectations by $1 billion to $2 billion.[5][7][9][10][11]
The company cited persistent softness in the global PC market for the disappointing outlook. Nikkei Asia reported that the personal computer slump is now projected to stretch into 2027. According to details shared by Mario Nawfal, Intel's PC revenue fell 5% year over year to $8.1 billion, missing estimates of roughly $8.9 billion. Bloomberg reported that Intel also struggled to keep pace with runaway demand for lucrative data center components, while businessline cited rising memory prices and supply-chain disruptions as further obstacles to recovery.[1][2][3][11][12]
The weak guidance overshadowed third-quarter results that beat Wall Street expectations. According to CNBC, Intel posted third-quarter revenue of $16.51 billion, up 21% from the previous year, alongside adjusted earnings per share of $0.52 compared with the $0.40 expected. HotHardware reported that data center revenue surged 78% to hit a 15-year high. Even so, MarketWatch reported the stock could register its worst single day in two years as analysts lose confidence.[4][5][6][8][13]
Key facts
- Intel reported fiscal Q3 2026 revenue of $16.51 billion, up 21% year-over-year, and adjusted EPS of $0.52, beating expectations of $16.5 billion and $0.40 respectively.
- Intel forecast Q4 revenue, adjusted EPS, and profit margins below Wall Street expectations.
- Quartz reported that Intel's Q4 revenue guidance came in $1 billion to $2 billion below analyst estimates.
- Intel attributed the weaker forecast to a continued slowdown in the PC market, which Nikkei Asia reported is expected to last into 2027.
- Intel's PC revenue fell 5% year-over-year to $8.1 billion, missing analyst expectations of approximately $8.9 billion.
- Intel's data center segment grew 78% to reach its highest level in 15 years, though Bloomberg reported the company struggled to keep up with component demand.
- Intel's stock dropped between 15% and more than 23% in after-hours trading following the forecast.
Sources · 10 sources
- CN
CNBC@CNBCPost on X ·
Intel stock plunges 20% as chipmaker blames PC slowdown for weak guidance https://t.co/G5HWYLueiC
Open source - BU
businessline@businesslinePost on X ·
Intel shares plunged 21% in late trading after the chipmaker issued a disappointing fourth-quarter forecast. Weak PC demand, rising memory prices, and supply-chain disruptions threaten its recovery despite growing artificial intelligence-related demand. https://t.co/XKg3YTcZWe
Open source - NA
Nikkei Asia@NikkeiAsiaPost on X ·
Intel shares sink more than 20% as PC slowdown stretches into 2027 https://t.co/DGMBcUaBpP
Open source - HO
HotHardware@HotHardwarePost on X ·
Intel's data center business just surged 78% to hit its highest point in 15 years, but Wall Street isn't celebrating. A stubborn PC slump is overshadowing the gains and hammering its shares. https://t.co/tMa8nEe6KO
Open source - TE
TechmemeArticle ·
Intel reports Q3 revenue up 21% YoY to $16.5B, vs. $16.5B est., and forecasts Q4 revenue and adjusted EPS below estimates; INTC drops 23%+ after hours (Katie Tarasov/CNBC) Katie Tarasov / CNBC : Intel reports Q3 revenue up 21% YoY to $16.5B, vs. $16.5B est., and forecasts Q4 revenue and adjusted EPS below estimates; INTC drops 23%+ after hours — Intel shares plummeted more than 20% in extended trading on Thursday after the chipmaker issued a weak fourth-quarter forecast, citing continued softness in the global PC market.
Open source - CN
CNBC@CNBCPost on X ·
Intel issued weaker-than-expected guidance. Analysts are losing confidence in the stock https://t.co/aj5T58giIv
Open source - MA
MarketWatch@MarketWatchPost on X ·
Intel's stock sinks over 15% as PC slowdown drives disappointing outlook — live https://t.co/3C9nNYh7tH
Open source - MA
MarketWatch@MarketWatchPost on X ·
Intel's stock may log its worst day in two years after this earnings report https://t.co/suUKTPviqr
Open source - FT
Financial Times@FTPost on X ·
Intel gave a weaker than expected forecast for revenue and profit margins on Thursday, breaking a run of strong earnings this year that had built confidence in the US chipmaking champion’s turnaround. https://t.co/HGncMc45FC https://t.co/87CyqVXN9e
Open source - QU
Quartz@qzPost on X ·
Intel's stock craters 22% as PC demand outlook turns bleak Intel's rosy 2026 run came to a screeching halt after the chipmaker's Q4 revenue forecast fell $1-2 billion short of Wall Street expectations, with weak PC chip sales and data center supply #Intel #PCMarket #TechStocks https://t.co/jolRsuNgF2
Open source - MN
Mario Nawfal@MarioNawfalPost on X ·
INTEL JUST GOT SMOKED AFTER EARNINGS. $INTC plunged roughly 20% after hours after its PC business badly missed expectations and fourth-quarter guidance came in weaker than Wall Street wanted. PC revenue fell 5% year over year to $8.1B, below expectations of about $8.9B. Intel pointed to continued weakness in the PC market, while an explosion at its Israeli chip facility added another headache. After a massive run for the stock this year, investors had very little patience left for a miss this big. Source: Trading View / Writer: Sol
Open source - BL
Bloomberg@businessPost on X ·
Intel gave a revenue forecast that fell short of analysts’ estimates, hurt by plunging demand for its PC processors and struggles to keep up with runaway demand for lucrative data center components https://t.co/G1LKU9s4Ss
Open source - CN
CNBC@CNBCPost on X ·
EARNINGS: Intel issued weaker-than-expected guidance for the fourth quarter, citing ongoing softness in the PC market. Here’s how the company did in the third quarter. https://t.co/b235Nfo5CA https://t.co/51USsT7idh
Open source