Intel reported $16.1 billion in revenue for the second quarter of 2026, marking a 25% increase year over year. Its non-GAAP earnings per share came in at $0.42, despite a GAAP loss of $2.16 per share. Following these numbers, Intel’s stock surged roughly 12% in after-hours trading, reflecting investor enthusiasm.
Key Drivers Behind Intel’s Q2 Performance
The standout segment was Data Center and AI, which generated $6.3 billion in revenue, a 59% jump compared to last year. This growth is fueled by sustained demand for AI computing power and cloud infrastructure upgrades among hyperscalers and major enterprises. The boost isn’t limited to training chips; Intel’s gains stem from advancements in networking, storage, memory-related technologies, and inference CPUs.
Intel’s foundry business also contributed significantly with $5.8 billion in revenue, up 31% year over year. This uptick shows the company's expanding role in both internal manufacturing and external contract chip production, signaling accelerating momentum in semiconductor fabrication.
Q3 Guidance and Market Context
Looking ahead, Intel projects third-quarter revenue between $15.8 billion and $16.8 billion and anticipates non-GAAP EPS of $0.38. The positive outlook has been interpreted as a sign of ongoing strength in Intel’s core offerings. Still, industry watchers note the importance of consistent execution amid a competitive landscape featuring Nvidia, AMD, and TSMC.
Recent reports from momentum stocks show rotating money flows in semiconductors, with investors favoring companies that deliver sustained performance rather than isolated beats.
- Q2 Revenue: $16.1 billion (up 25% YoY)
- Data Center and AI Revenue: $6.3 billion (up 59% YoY)
- Foundry Revenue: $5.8 billion (up 31% YoY)
- Non-GAAP EPS: $0.42
- GAAP Loss Per Share: $2.16
- Q3 Revenue Guidance: $15.8 16.8 billion
- Q3 Non-GAAP EPS Guidance: $0.38
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