Why Intel Stock Crashed on Friday

Shares of Intel plummeted over 28% on Friday following the chipmaker's fourth-quarter revenue and earnings guidance, prompting traders to exit their positions. Intel reported a 21% year-over-year increase in third-quarter revenue to $16.5 billion. While its data center and artificial intelligence-related sales surged 78% to $7.3 billion, the client computing segment experienced a 5% decline in revenue to $8.1 billion.

During a conference call with analysts, Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan attributed the PC processor demand slowdown to soaring memory chip prices straining corporate IT budgets. Intel's adjusted net income rose 169% to $2.8 billion, and adjusted earnings per share increased 126% to $0.52. However, investors were more concerned with Intel's guidance, as management forecast fourth-quarter revenue between $15 billion and $16 billion and adjusted earnings per share of $0.25, which were significantly below Wall Street's estimates of $17.1 billion and $0.43, respectively.

Intel's CEO cited an accident at its Israeli factory that caused an extended shutdown, reducing server chip shipments. Analysts also expressed concerns about persistent memory chip shortages for years, potentially hindering Intel's PC business recovery. South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix recently forecasted that memory chip demand would outpace supply through the end of the decade.

Intel's CFO, David Zinsner, stated that they anticipate the PC slowdown to persist at least through the first half of the next year.