Intel (INTC) has been one of the biggest beneficiaries over the past year from the AI boom. YTD, INTC shares are already up 45% YTD, and an even further 146% since January 2026. For a long time, Intel as a company and stock investment was in a rough patch. Other top tech companies like Nvidia and AMD hence took the spotlight. However, that has changed, and those who saw it coming last year are reeling in profits presently.

In February 2025, INTC stock traded at a low of $19.05. The stock was teetering around a potential decline as well. However, new CEO Lip-Bu Tan has been pitching a reset after years of stumbles. Thus, the company is back in the spotlight. With the Q4 earnings tomorrow, investors are watching for proof that the company can benefit from the boom in AI-linked data center buildouts while it tries to fix its manufacturing.

If you invested in Intel (INTC) stock before its explosive rally last year, you are rolling in profits right now. At a 145% ROI at press time, investing $1,000 last January would sit at approximately $2,450 at press time. That is one of the best gains for any tech option on the US stock market in that span. The best part: the gains may not be over, especially if the upcoming earnings report bodes well and the chip shortage starts to improve.

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Analysts are awaiting the chipmaker’s Q4 2025 earnings call on Thursday. The report is expected to provide an even further boost to the company’s stock value and market cap. Wall Street expects revenue of $13.4 billion and adjusted EPS of 8 cents, with the data center unit seen growing sharply. Intel’s earnings are expected to show that demand for its traditional server chips is improving as large tech firms expand data centers for AI workloads. Revenue in the data center business is expected to rise more than 30% to $4.43 billion for the quarter ended December. That is according to LSEG-compiled data cited in recent reporting. Sales in the PC unit are expected to edge up to $8.21 billion.

Furthermore, analysts are projecting a swing of 8% in either direction, which could either cement Intel’s top dog spot or bring it back down to earth. If chip demand can match Intel’s manufacturing, a further 8% jump upward may be possible, sending INTC stock to $59. At press time, INTC is up 11% on Wednesday.