Susquehannah analyst Christopher Rolland warns investors to temper their expectations regarding Intel’s upcoming results. In a recent report, Rolland has reaffirmed his Neutral rating for Intel stock (ticker: INTC) while also raising his price target to $35 from $33. With the company set to report its second-quarter earnings on July 27, Rolland acknowledges the likelihood of a modest beat and raise but remains cautious about the long-term sustainability of this momentum.
Rolland points out that despite advancements in AI, Intel’s position in this sector remains somewhat uncertain. He highlights that AI proves to be a mixed story for the company and that it is imperative to monitor Intel’s server competitiveness in the coming years.
The current trading price for Intel stock stands at $34.50, unchanged in Wednesday’s trading session. However, the stock has experienced a significant decline of 14% over the past year, while the S&P 500 has shown a robust increase of 15%.
One of the primary concerns Rolland raises is the potential shift in spending from data-center infrastructure to graphics processing unit (GPU) chips for AI purposes. This shift in preference could consequently reduce the allocation of resources for Intel’s server processors. Additionally, he predicts that Intel might face challenges in maintaining its market share within the server segment next year.
The sentiments on Wall Street regarding Intel stock are mixed. According to FactSet, only 21% of analysts covering the company have given it Buy or equivalent ratings, while 64% have assigned Hold ratings, and 14% have issued Sell ratings for Intel’s shares.
In conclusion, while Intel may deliver positive results in the short term, there are concerns about its long-term sustainability amidst AI’s evolving landscape. The shift towards GPUs and potential market share loss in the server segment loom as significant challenges for the company moving forward.