Intel’s (INTC) Neutral Rating Reiterated at Sanford C. Bernstein

Posted by Hanz Christensen on Feb 17th, 2026

Intel (NASDAQ:INTC – Get Free Report)‘s stock had its “neutral” rating reiterated by equities research analysts at Sanford C. Bernstein in a report released on Tuesday,MarketScreener reports.

Several other brokerages have also issued reports on INTC. Evercore increased their price objective on Intel from $41.10 to $45.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Raymond James Financial started coverage on Intel in a research report on Friday, November 21st. They issued a “market perform” rating on the stock. Citic Securities raised Intel from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their price target for the stock from $38.90 to $60.30 in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Northland Securities set a $54.00 price target on Intel in a report on Friday, January 23rd. Finally, TD Cowen increased their price objective on Intel from $38.00 to $50.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, January 16th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, twenty-six have given a Hold rating and six have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of $45.74.

Read Our Latest Report on INTC

Intel Trading Up 0.7%

Shares of NASDAQ INTC opened at $46.79 on Tuesday. The company has a current ratio of 2.02, a quick ratio of 1.65 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. Intel has a one year low of $17.67 and a one year high of $54.60. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $43.31 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $35.93. The firm has a market capitalization of $233.72 billion, a PE ratio of -584.80, a PEG ratio of 16.90 and a beta of 1.38.

Intel (NASDAQ:INTC – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 22nd. The chip maker reported $0.15 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.08 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $13.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.37 billion. Intel had a negative return on equity of 0.44% and a negative net margin of 0.51%.The firm’s quarterly revenue was down 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $0.13 EPS. Intel has set its Q1 2026 guidance at 0.000-0.000 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that Intel will post -0.11 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Intel news, EVP David Zinsner purchased 5,882 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, January 26th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $42.50 per share, with a total value of $249,985.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 247,392 shares in the company, valued at $10,514,160. This trade represents a 2.44% increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Boise April Miller sold 20,000 shares of Intel stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.05, for a total value of $981,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 113,060 shares in the company, valued at $5,545,593. The trade was a 15.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 0.04% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Intel

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in INTC. Winch Advisory Services LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Intel by 28.3% during the fourth quarter. Winch Advisory Services LLC now owns 966 shares of the chip maker’s stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 213 shares during the last quarter. ROI Financial Advisors LLC grew its position in Intel by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. ROI Financial Advisors LLC now owns 12,967 shares of the chip maker’s stock worth $478,000 after purchasing an additional 217 shares during the last quarter. Focus Financial Network Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Intel by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. Focus Financial Network Inc. now owns 10,788 shares of the chip maker’s stock worth $398,000 after purchasing an additional 223 shares during the period. Successful Portfolios LLC increased its holdings in shares of Intel by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Successful Portfolios LLC now owns 8,715 shares of the chip maker’s stock worth $322,000 after purchasing an additional 223 shares during the period. Finally, Providence Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of Intel by 1.7% during the fourth quarter. Providence Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 13,340 shares of the chip maker’s stock valued at $527,000 after buying an additional 225 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 64.53% of the company’s stock.

Key Stories Impacting Intel

Here are the key news stories impacting Intel this week:

Positive Sentiment: Some bullish coverage highlights Intel as a comeback/AI play with real operational progress that could justify upside if execution continues; this supports investor interest in INTC as a recovery/AI exposure trade. Is Intel (INTC) One of the Best AI Stocks Skyrocketing?
Neutral Sentiment: DA Davidson initiated coverage with a Neutral rating and a ~$45 price target, calling for a “show‑me” period — meaning future results and execution (not hype) will drive returns; this is a gating factor for the stock. Intel (INTC) Faces ‘Show‑Me’ Reset as DA Davidson Initiates Neutral Rating
Neutral Sentiment: Analysts and sector writeups show a split in chip stocks this week — foundries and equipment outperformed while chip designers (including Intel) lagged; that sector rotation can pressure INTC near‑term even if longer‑term AI demand helps. Chip Stocks Split: AMAT and TSMC Gain While NVDA and Intel Retreat
Neutral Sentiment: Zacks’ comparison ranks IBM ahead of Intel for AI exposure and valuation today, signaling some investors may prefer alternative AI/hybrid‑cloud names over INTC until margins and growth are clearer. IBM vs. Intel: Which AI‑Focused Stock Is the Better Buy Today?
Negative Sentiment: Corporate fundamentals remain a concern: coverage revisiting Intel’s 2025 loss and execution hurdles argues the stock’s rally has outpaced operational recovery, which raises downside risk if guidance and margins disappoint. Intel Lost Money Again in 2025. Here’s Why — and What It Means for the Stock
Negative Sentiment: Risk narratives comparing Intel to past “hype‑then‑pullback” stories (a possible “Peloton moment”) warn that investor optimism could reverse sharply if product cycles or demand miss expectations. Is Intel About to Have a “Peloton Moment”?

About Intel

(Get Free Report)

Intel Corporation, founded in 1968 by Robert Noyce and Gordon E. Moore and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is a leading global designer and manufacturer of semiconductor products. The company is historically notable for introducing the first commercial microprocessor and for driving the x86 architecture that underpins many personal computers and servers. Intel’s core business spans the design, fabrication and marketing of processors, chipsets and related components for a wide range of computing applications.

Intel’s product portfolio includes client and mobile processors marketed under brands such as Intel Core and Pentium, as well as high-performance Xeon processors for data centers and cloud infrastructure.