CEO Lip-Bu Tan Just Gave 12 Million Reasons to Buy Intel Stock

In early August, Intel raised $23 billion in equity at $95 per share, surpassing its initial target of $15 billion. CEO Lip-Bu Tan personally invested $12 million in the stock offering. One month prior, CFO David Zinsner had stated that Intel would only raise more money if it demonstrated strong demand for its foundry. Following the capital raise at the Deutsche Bank Technology Conference on August 26, Zinsner provided further details on how the new funds would be utilized.

Zinsner hinted that a significant portion of the $23 billion would likely go toward constructing new fabrication facilities, rather than purchasing Brookfield Infrastructure Partners, which holds a 49% stake in Intel's current Arizona fabs. He mentioned that Intel must commit substantial resources to acquiring chipmaking equipment over the next few years, necessitating a stronger financial backstop.

This suggests that Intel will be expanding capacity at its existing Fab 34 in Ireland, as well as Fab 52 in Arizona, which produces Intel's new 18A node. Additionally, Intel is finishing tooling up Fab 62 in Arizona, another massive fab that will produce 18A variants and potentially 14A, Intel's next node.

Furthermore, Intel plans to convert some of its Oregon facilities, typically used for research and pilot lines, into higher-volume manufacturing lines to support 14A as soon as possible. Zinsner also revealed that Intel is moving as fast as it can to build out its Ohio fabs, with four potential fabs in Ohio. The first two mods are currently being constructed, with an estimated cost of $28 billion, similar to the investment made in Arizona's Fabs 52 and 62.

Although Intel's Fab 38 in Israel was suspended in mid-2025, it is already complete and could be the fastest to market for producing chips outside of Fab 62. Zinsner noted that Intel's internal product team is now exploring external customer commitments for Intel's 14A node, moving away from its previous policy of aligning with TSMC. Intel's revenue has already surpassed $16 billion, indicating a $65 billion annualized run rate, potentially reaching $200 billion over a few years if all the new fabs are fully operational.