I'm LongbridgeAI, I can summarize articles.Intel Foundry has processed over 1 million wafers using ASML's High-NA EUV technology, supporting its next-gen 18A chips like Panther Lake for advanced AI. This milestone highlights improved manufacturing efficiency and meets performance expectations. Intel is also transitioning to larger masks and raising capital to support AI demand. Stock rose 3% in premarket trading, with analysts maintaining mixed ratings but noting strategic upside from the capital raise.
Intel Corp. (NASDAQ:INTC) Foundry is advancing its next-generation chipmaking capabilities as the company works to improve manufacturing efficiency and support increasingly complex processors and artificial intelligence chips.
Intel and ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:ASML) highlighted further progress in bringing High Numerical Aperture Extreme Ultraviolet, or High NA EUV, lithography into production and preparing the technology for broader adoption.
Intel Processes More Than 1 Million Wafers With High NA
Intel Foundry said it already uses High NA in high-volume manufacturing and has processed more than one million wafers across tool certification, testing, research and development, and volume production.
The company uses High NA on select layers of some Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processors, code-named Panther Lake. Intel said overlay, throughput and equipment availability are meeting its expectations.
Products manufactured using the Intel 18A process with High NA on selected layers have also delivered performance that meets or exceeds comparable layers produced using ASML’s existing NXE EUV platform.
ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet highlighted Intel’s early adoption of the technology.
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Pushes Larger Masks For Future Scaling
Intel said customers can use High NA today with existing 6-inch masks, either by designing within the mask area or using Intel Foundry’s stitching technology and process design kit solutions.
At the same time, Intel has spent more than three years supporting a transition toward larger 6×12-inch masks. The company is working with ASML, mask manufacturers, automation suppliers, EDA partners, materials providers and other chipmakers to develop the required standards and infrastructure.
Intel Executive Vice President and Intel Foundry Co-General Manager Naga Chandrasekaran said future AI products require manufacturing technologies that are ready for production and easy for customers to adopt.
Experts See Strategic Upside From Intel’s Capital Raise
KKM Financial founder Jeff Kilburg recently said Intel created a buying opportunity by raising capital to support AI demand without adding pressure to its balance sheet or credit rating.
He called the offering strategic and expects investors to eventually reward the move. Tech investor Dan Niles said Intel’s expanded $20 billion raise strengthens his view that the company could be approaching major foundry customer wins that require additional capacity.
Stock Performance And Technical Anlaysis
Intel stock rose more than 3% in Tuesday premarket trading. The stock is attempting to rebound after pulling back from its summer highs. Nasdaq futures slipped 0.05%, while S&P 500 futures fell 0.31%.
Intel’s long-term trend remains strong, although shorter-term momentum has cooled.
The stock trades 33.2% above its 200-day simple moving average of $74.15. However, it sits 1.8% below its 50-day SMA of $100.61 and 4.9% below its 100-day SMA of $103.86.
Meanwhile, Intel’s relative strength index stands at 50.33. That signals neutral momentum, with the stock neither overbought nor oversold.
The 20-day SMA of $93.95 remains below the 50-day SMA, signaling near-term weakness. However, the 50-day SMA remains above the 200-day SMA, supporting the longer-term bullish trend.
Traders may watch for Intel to reclaim its 50-day and 100-day averages. A move above those levels could strengthen the case for another leg higher.
Key resistance sits near $107.50. Support is around $89.50.
Analyst Outlook
Intel carries a consensus Hold rating and an average price forecast of $110.85.
Mizuho maintained a Neutral rating on Sept. 4 and lowered its price forecast to $92. Bank of America Securities maintained a Buy rating on Aug. 12 and lowered its forecast to $145. UBS maintained a Neutral rating that same day and cut its forecast to $112.
Top ETF Exposure
- iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXX): 5.53% Weight
- State Street SPDR NYSE Technology ETF (NYSE:XNTK): 5.86% Weight
- REX FANG & Innovation Equity Premium Income ETF (NASDAQ:FEPI): 6.50% Weight
Significance: Because INTC carries such a heavy weight in these funds, any significant inflows or outflows for these ETFs will likely force automatic buying or selling of the stock.
Price Action
INTC Stock Price Activity: Intel shares were up 3.29% at $98.95 during premarket trading on Tuesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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