Why Is INTEL CORP (INTC) Stock Moving Today?

Why INTC stock is moving today

Intel stock is moving higher today, with the stock up 1.4% over the last eight sessions, reaching $105.52. The movement is driven by speculation around a potential partnership for the company’s delayed Ohio chip plant and reports of long-term server CPU deals with Chinese clients. These developments have sparked renewed investor interest ahead of the company’s second-quarter earnings report due after the market closes on Thursday.

What Happened

Intel is reportedly seeking an operator partner for its $28 billion Ohio chip campus, with SK Hynix among the candidates under consideration. This comes as the company faces delays in the project, which has raised questions about its execution capabilities and capital efficiency. Separately, Intel and AMD have secured long-term server CPU agreements with Chinese data-center buyers, as AI-driven demand pushes prices higher and supply constraints persist. These deals are seen as a strategic move to stabilize supply chains amid surging demand.

Intel’s CFO has previously stated that supply conditions will improve through the rest of the year, and the upcoming earnings report will be a key test of that assertion. The stock has also benefited from positioning ahead of the earnings release, with unusual options activity showing a heavy skew toward calls, totaling $302 million in premium compared to $40.1 million in puts.

What The Data Shows

The stock has traded within a 52-week range of $18.96 to $142.35, with its current price reflecting a modest rebound from recent volatility. Over the last 36 hours, there have been 58 notable options prints, with the largest single print valued at $39.0 million. On the 52-week tape, the stock printed 40 fresh 52-week highs and 10 fresh 52-week lows on July 23. Retail sentiment remains weak, with sentiment on SPY and QQQ trending toward "extremely bearish" and "bearish," respectively, according to Stocktwits data.

What To Watch

Intel’s second-quarter earnings report, scheduled for after the market closes on Thursday, will be a key event to monitor. The report will provide insight into the company’s progress in its turnaround and whether it can deliver results that justify the recent speculation and positioning in its stock.