Intel just turned the hype dial way up

Intel brought the receipts

Intel didn’t just beat Q1 expectations — it blasted past them, and Wall Street responded like someone had found an old $20 bill in a winter coat. The stock surged 23.61% to $82.55, giving the chipmaker a fresh record close and a very loud seat at the AI infrastructure table.

Why traders suddenly care again

The market is basically betting that Intel’s AI server and data center story might finally have some legs. That matters because when your business has spent years trying to prove it can keep up with the NVDA-sized party next door, a strong earnings print is less “nice quarter” and more “hey, look, we’re still in the game.”

The guidance piece is doing a lot of work

Earnings beats are great, but guidance is where the grown-up decisions happen. Intel’s stronger forecast tells investors the company isn’t just talking about a turnaround — it’s suggesting the next few months could actually support the narrative.

• Intel shares jumped hard on the report
• Q1 results beat expectations
• Guidance came in strong enough to keep the rally alive
• The big question: can demand in AI servers and data centers keep this from becoming a one-hit wonder?

Big picture

For now, Intel has the market’s attention back. The stock move says investors are willing to believe the comeback story — at least until the next earnings call tries to ruin the mood.