Intel Shares Slip in Regular Trading, Soar After AI Partnership News

Lead: Intel Corporation stock closed down 1.46% at $24.90 in regular trading Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, before jumping 12.77% to $28.08 in extended hours after unveiling an AI infrastructure partnership with NVIDIA.

Nut Graf: The pullback in daytime trading reflected investor caution following mixed analyst ratings and modest quarterly guidance, while the after-hours surge underscores market enthusiasm for Intel’s collaboration with NVIDIA to co-develop advanced AI chips and interconnects that could reshape data-center performance.

Analyst Ratings and Share Movement

• New Street Research last week raised its price target on Intel from $21.00 to $23.00, maintaining a “neutral” rating amid concerns over lagging margins and competitive pressures.
• Shares dipped amid these tempered expectations before extended-hours gains eclipsed regular-session losses.

AI Partnership Drives Extended-Hours Rally

Intel and NVIDIA announced a definitive agreement to jointly design data-center CPUs and GPUs connected via NVLink, aiming to accelerate AI workloads across cloud and enterprise platforms.

• NVIDIA will invest $5 billion in Intel common stock to solidify the alliance.
• The collaboration leverages Intel’s foundry capabilities with NVIDIA’s interconnect expertise.

Market Context and Outlook

Intel has climbed roughly 24% year-to-date but still trades well below its five-year highs, as chip-maker rivals gain share in AI and mobile markets. The NVIDIA deal, coupled with recent cost-cutting measures and executive appointments, aims to restore investor confidence and drive a sustained turnaround in growth and profitability.

What’s Next

• Investors will watch Intel’s upcoming Q3 earnings call for updates on AI partnership milestones and revised guidance.
• Market reaction to early product demonstrations and NVLink integration tests could set the tone for the stock’s trajectory into year-end.