<div id="readability-page-1">Money Markets Should You Be Cautious About Intel Stock?  ByTrefis Team ,  Contributor.  Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Building a platform to do the job of 1 million analysts for  Great Speculations Follow Author Dec 17, 2025, 09:42am EST Our multi-factor evaluation indicates that now might be the right moment to sell INTC stock. Overall, our outlook on the stock is negative, and a target price of $26 seems plausible. We view strong INTC stock due to its overall Weak operational performance and financial standings. This is not accurately represented in the stock's Moderate valuation, which is why we consider it Unattractive.  Signage with logo at the Silicon Valley headquarters of computer chip manufacturer Intel, Santa Clara, California, August 17, 2017. (Photo via Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images) Getty Images Intel’s stock has surged robustly over the past year, driven by renewed optimism around its AI ambitions and foundry aspirations. Yet deep vulnerabilities linger: the capital-intensive manufacturing overhaul and brutal competition in CPUs and AI accelerators demand flawless execution. Any slip in next-gen chip delivery or further delays in foundry profitability could erode investor confidence, exposing the lofty valuation to sharp corrections.  Below is our analysis:  Summary Trefis  You cannot predict the fate of individual stocks, but you can be ready. Discover how High Quality Portfolio can assist you.  Let’s delve into details of each of the evaluated factors but before that, for a quick background: With $168 Bil in market cap, Intel delivers design, manufacturing, and sales of computer products and technologies, with segments in computing, data centers, IoT, AI, and strategic AI-driven drug discovery collaborations.  [1] Valuation Appears Moderate  Valuation Trefis MORE FOR YOU This table illustrates how INTC is valued compared to the broader market. For further details see: INTC Valuation Ratios  [2] Growth Is Very Weak  Intel's top line has contracted at an average rate of -7.6% over the past 3 years  Its revenues have diminished -1.5% from $54 Bil to $53 Bil within the last 12 months  Additionally, its quarterly revenues increased 2.8% to $14 Bil in the most recent quarter compared to $13 Bil a year ago.  Growth Trefis This table displays how INTC is growing in relation to the broader market. For more information see: INTC Revenue Comparison  [3] Profitability Seems Very Weak  Over the last 12 months, INTC's operating income was $-104 Mil, reflecting an operating margin of -0.2%  With a cash flow margin of 16.0%, it generated nearly $8.6 Bil in operating cash flow during this timeframe  In the same period, INTC produced approximately $198 Mil in net income, indicating a net margin of about 0.4%  Margin Trefis This table compares how INTC's profitability fares against the broader market. For additional details see: INTC Operating Income Comparison  [4] Financial Stability Appears Strong  As of the latest quarter, INTC's Debt was $47 Bil, while its current Market Cap is $168 Bil. This results in a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 30.7%  INTC’s Cash (including equivalents) constitutes $31 Bil of $205 Bil in total Assets. Consequently, this yields a Cash-to-Assets Ratio of 15.1%  [5] Downturn Resilience Is Weak  INTC has underperformed compared to the S&amp;P 500 index during various economic downturns. We evaluate this by considering both (a) the extent of the stock's decline and, (b) the speed of its recovery.  2022 Inflation Shock  INTC stock dropped 63.3% from a peak of $68.26 on 9 April 2021 to $25.04 on 11 October 2022 in contrast to a peak-to-trough decrease of 25.4% for the S&amp;P 500.  The stock has not yet returned to its pre-Crisis high  Since then, the highest the stock has achieved is $50.76 on 27 December 2023, and it currently trades at $37.31  2020 Covid Pandemic  INTC stock declined 34.8% from a high of $68.47 on 24 January 2020 to $44.61 on 16 March 2020 compared to a peak-to-trough reduction of 33.9% for the S&amp;P 500.  The stock has not yet returned to its pre-Crisis high  2008 Global Financial Crisis  INTC stock experienced a 56.8% drop from a peak of $27.98 on 6 December 2007 to $12.08 on 23 February 2009 compared to a peak-to-trough fall of 56.8% for the S&amp;P 500.  Nonetheless, the stock completely recovered to its pre-Crisis peak by 26 March 2012  However, the risk is not restricted to significant market crashes. Stocks can decline even when markets are favorable – consider events like earnings reports, business updates, and changes in outlook. Check out INTC Dip Buyer Analyses to see how the stock has bounced back from sharp declines in the past.  The Trefis High Quality (HQ) Portfolio , comprising 30 stocks, has a history of consistently outperforming its benchmark, which incorporates all three indices – the S&amp;P 500, S&amp;P mid-cap, and Russell 2000. What accounts for this? Collectively, HQ Portfolio stocks yielded superior returns with reduced risk compared to the benchmark index; it has not been as much of a roller-coaster ride, evident from HQ Portfolio performance metrics .  Editorial Standards Reprints &amp; Permissions LOADING VIDEO PLAYER... FORBES’ FEATURED Video</div>

INTC

<p>Trefis Team suggests selling Intel (INTC) stock due to weak operational performance and financial standings, despite recent stock surge driven by AI ambitions. The stock's valuation is considered unattractive, with a target price of $26. Intel faces challenges in manufacturing and competition, risking investor confidence. Financial stability is strong, but growth and profitability are weak. The stock has underperformed in past downturns and hasn't fully recovered to pre-crisis highs.</p>

- Trefis Team suggests that now may be the right time to sell Intel (INTC) stock, forecasting a target price of $26 due to weak operational performance and financial standing.  
- Despite a recent surge driven by enthusiasm for AI and foundry initiatives, Intel faces significant vulnerabilities, including a capital-intensive overhaul and intense competition, which could lead to drops in investor confidence.  
- The analysis highlights Intel's revenue contraction and negative operating income, indicating an unattractive valuation and suggesting caution for potential investors.