Intel Corporation

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Bullish +65

Jim Cramer dubs Intel a ‘miracle stock’ ahead of earnings

📈 Jim Cramer declares Intel (INTC) a 'miracle stock' ahead of fiscal Q2 earnings release on July 23rd.

🤝 Intel secured major customer wins including a manufacturing deal with Fortinet and a chip partnership with Apple.

🏭 Intel became the first manufacturer to deploy ASML's High-NA EUV scanners into active high-volume production for Panther Lake processors.

📈 CEO Lip-Bu Tan is praised by industry leaders like Nvidia's Jensen Huang for orchestrating a rapid operational turnaround.

💰 Consensus estimates project earnings of $0.22 per share on $14.4 billion in revenue, up 12% year-over-year.

📉 Intel shares have risen approximately 150% from the start of 2026 despite high valuation concerns.

🔍 INTC is currently trading at a forward P/E multiple of 154x, described as expensive by some analysts.

📊 Options markets show a bullish skew with upside strikes near $114 and a put-to-call ratio of 0.66.

🛑 A key risk is an earnings miss or disappointing guidance that could break the $114 technical support level.

🌍 Cramer emphasizes that scaling domestic capacity in Ohio and Arizona is essential to meet global AI demand.

Bullish Signals
  • Jim Cramer, a prominent investor, has declared Intel a 'miracle stock' and his favorite pick in the chip sector ahead of earnings.
  • Intel Foundry has achieved major milestones including a manufacturing deal with Fortinet and a high-profile partnership with Apple.
  • Elon Musk's 'Terafab' project has committed to Intel for manufacturing, adding significant credibility to the foundry business.
  • Intel is the first semiconductor manufacturer to deploy ASML's High-NA EUV scanners into active high-volume production for key layers.
  • CEO Lip-Bu Tan is recognized by industry leaders like Nvidia's Jensen Huang as one of the best executives in the business.
  • Consensus estimates project a 12% year-over-year revenue increase to $14.4 billion, indicating strong top-line growth.
  • The stock has already appreciated approximately 150% from the start of 2026, reflecting significant market optimism.
  • Options markets exhibit a strong bullish skew with upside strikes near $114, suggesting potential for a rally through the end of the week.
Risk Factors
  • Intel is trading at 154x forward earnings, which is considered an expensive valuation by many market participants.
  • A significant risk exists that an earnings miss or disappointing guidance could break the $114 technical support level.
  • If the turnaround milestones do not translate into near-term financial results, the current bullish narrative could be invalidated.
Full Analysis
Jim Cramer has declared Intel (INTC) a 'miracle stock' ahead of its fiscal Q2 earnings release scheduled for July 23rd after market close. On CNBC, the Mad Money host reiterated that INTC remains his favorite pick in the semiconductor sector, praising CEO Lip-Bu Tan for orchestrating a rapid operational turnaround. Cramer highlighted that industry leaders, including Nvidia's Jensen Huang, view Tan as a top executive. Cramer attributes his bullish stance primarily to Intel Foundry's recent milestones, which include a manufacturing deal with Fortinet, a high-profile chip partnership with Apple, and commitments from Elon Musk's 'Terafab' project. Additionally, Intel became the first manufacturer to deploy ASML's High-NA EUV scanners into active high-volume production for its Panther Lake processor line. Cramer emphasized that scaling domestic capacity in Ohio and Arizona is essential to meet global AI demand. Despite these positive developments, the article notes significant valuation concerns, with INTC trading at 154x forward earnings. Consensus estimates project earnings of $0.22 per share on $14.4 billion in revenue, representing a 12% year-over-year increase. The stock has already risen approximately 150% from the start of 2026, and options markets show a bullish skew with upside strikes near $114. A key technical level to watch is the $114 mark, which aligns with Intel's 20-day moving average. If earnings help the stock decisively break above this level, analysts suggest upward momentum could sustain or extend further in the near term. However, a significant earnings miss or disappointing guidance could invalidate the turnaround narrative and trigger a breakdown below the $114 support level.