Its business has proven that it's here to stay for the long haul. Since the start of 2025, Intel (INTC 4.50%) has been one of the best-performing big tech stocks on the market. The stock is up over 170% in that time (through Jan. 22), with a large chunk of that gain coming after mid-September. Like many tech companies, Intel can thank the current artificial intelligence (AI) supercycle for much of...
Its business has proven that it's here to stay for the long haul. Since the start of 2025, Intel (INTC 4.50%) has been one of the best-performing big tech stocks on the market. The stock is up over 170% in that time (through Jan. 22), with a large chunk of that gain coming after mid-September. Like many tech companies, Intel can thank the current artificial intelligence (AI) supercycle for much of this turnaround. As the hardware side of AI becomes more vital with hyperscalers (companies like Microsoft, Alphabet, and Amazon) writing big checks, semiconductor companies are in a good spot to capitalize. Although Intel is one of them, there's a company I wouldn't hesitate to choose over it. What has been going right for Intel lately? A few years ago, Intel decided to fully throw its hat into the semiconductor ring and become a foundry-first company. It's a move that many felt was needed, but weren't 100% sure the massive costs would justify the results anytime in the foreseeable future. One major win has been Intel's breakthrough with its "18A" manufacturing process, which allows it to produce more powerful and efficient chips. It's one of Intel's more encouraging wins in quite a while, fueling investor optimism. Unfortunately, this breakthrough won't immediately translate to Intel's balance sheet, at a time when it could use some growth. In 2025, Intel generated $52.9 billion in revenue, slightly below the $53.1 billion it made in 2024 and the $54.2 billion it made in 2023. Expand NASDAQ : INTC Intel Today's Change ( -4.50 %) $ -2.19 Current Price $ 46.47 Key Data Points Market Cap $243B Day's Range $ 45.96 - $ 49.58 52wk Range $ 17.66 - $ 54.60 Volume 115M Avg Vol 99M Gross Margin 34.77 % A better option to consider over Intel Much of Intel's foundry business success will rest on its ability to secure a major contract. It's firmly in the "prove it" stage. Broadcom (AVGO +0.17%), on the other hand, is not. With a market cap of over $1.5 trillion (as of Jan. 22), Broad...