Intel (INTC) Stock Holds Recent Gains on Apple Deal Rumors

Intel shares are clinging to recent gains—fueled entirely by whispers of a deal with Apple. The rumor mill suggests the tech giant might tap Intel for future chip production, sending a jolt through a stock that's been searching for a catalyst.

The Speculation Playbook

No official numbers, no confirmed contracts—just the market's favorite game: trading on headlines. Intel's recent price action isn't about current earnings or market share; it's a pure bet on a potential partnership that could reshape its foundry business. Analysts are parsing every supply chain murmur, while traders ride the volatility.

A Cynical Take

It's the classic Wall Street pivot—when fundamentals are shaky, just find a hotter, richer friend. The street loves a good narrative, even if the ink isn't dry. For now, Intel's valuation is being propped up by hope and Apple's halo effect. Let's see if the reality delivers, or if this is just another rumor fueling a temporary pump before the next round of sobering earnings data cuts through the hype.

TLDR

• Intel stock jumped 10% on Friday and held gains in Monday premarket trading after analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicted a deal with Apple
• The partnership could see Intel shipping its lowest-end M processor to Apple starting in Q2 or Q3 2027
• Kuo’s industry surveys show improved visibility on Intel becoming an advanced-node supplier to Apple
• The timeline depends on Intel’s process design kit release expected in early 2026
• Apple currently relies on TSMC for its silicon chips but the Intel deal would support Trump administration’s push for domestic manufacturing

Intel stock maintained a 10% surge in Monday premarket trading. The jump came after analyst Ming-Chi Kuo from TF International Securities predicted a major deal between Intel and Apple.

Intel Corporation, INTC

The rally started Friday when Kuo posted on X about his expectations. He believes Intel will begin shipping its lowest-end M processor to Apple by Q2 or Q3 2027.

Kuo’s latest industry surveys suggest something important. Visibility on Intel becoming an advanced-node supplier to Apple has improved recently.

The stock dipped 0.59% as of 6:26am ET Monday in early premarket trading. Still, the gains from Friday remained mostly intact.

The partnership timeline isn’t set in stone. Everything depends on the development process after Intel releases its process design kit.

This blueprint will let Apple’s engineers design the chips. Intel expects to release the kit in early 2026.

Current Chip Supply Chain

Apple gets its silicon chips for iPhone, iPad and Mac from TSMC right now. The Taiwanese company handles all of Apple’s advanced chip manufacturing.

Kuo doesn’t think the Intel deal will hurt TSMC much. He expects Apple to stay “highly dependent” on TSMC’s advanced nodes for years to come.

The analyst pointed out that order volumes for the lowest-end M processor are small. The deal WOULD have virtually no material impact on TSMC’s fundamentals or technology leadership.

Political and Business Implications

The potential Intel-Apple partnership carries political weight. Kuo said it would show strong support from Apple for the TRUMP administration’s domestic manufacturing goals.

Neither Intel nor Apple responded to CNBC’s request for comment.

Paul Markham from GAM Global Equities sees big possibilities. “Apple is a potential major reference customer whose presence validates Intel’s high-performance foundry offering,” he told CNBC.

Markham thinks success could lead to more business. Intel might win higher volume deals from Apple, like CPU production for the iPhone. The company could also attract other large chip designers.

Intel’s stock has bounced back over the past year. Share price dropped to $17.66 in April before recovering in recent months. The years of decline seem to be reversing.

The relationship between Intel and Apple goes way back. Intel first announced its processors would power some Apple products in 2005. Apple moved away from Intel processors in the early 2020s.

Last week TSMC filed a lawsuit against Intel. The Taiwanese company alleged a former senior vice president leaked “confidential information” to Intel. Intel did not respond to comment requests about the lawsuit.