Intel Shares Ease After Historic Rally, Dip in After-Hours Trading

Intel shares closed at $30.57 on the Nasdaq on Friday, sliding 0.7% in after-hours trading after Thursday’s landmark 23% surge fueled by a $5 billion Nvidia stake.

The pullback reflects typical profit-taking following Thursday’s AI-driven rally and underscores investor caution as markets balance enthusiasm over technology partnerships with broader economic signals.

Despite the pullback, Intel’s shares still sit well above pre-announcement levels, having surged nearly 23% on Thursday after Nvidia agreed to invest $5 billion for roughly a 4% stake and to co-develop data-center and PC chips using Intel’s x86 architecture. In after-hours trading, the stock dipped to $30.36, down $0.21, as investors locked in gains following a session of heavy volume and heightened volatility.

Global equity markets took a mixed stance on Friday. U.S. stock futures hinted at record highs for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq after the Federal Reserve’s quarter-point rate cut, while chip stocks broadly experienced profit-taking pressures in heavyweights such as Intel and Nvidia. Traders cited the Fed’s dovish outlook and robust tech earnings as dual drivers of both optimism and caution.

Analysts note that Thursday’s partnership with Nvidia represents a strategic pivot for Intel, integrating advanced AI accelerators with its long-standing CPU business. However, questions remain about Intel’s longer-term foundry ambitions and ability to sustain momentum amid intense competition.

Volume on Friday’s session reached 159.6 million shares, reflecting elevated trading interest around the chip sector. With after-hours stabilization, market participants will watch next week’s earnings and macro data for further cues on whether Intel’s AI-era resurgence can be maintained.