Quick Summary
- Intel shares skyrocketed 12.06% Wednesday, reaching an unprecedented intraday peak of $94.95
- First quarter 2026 revenue climbed 7% annually to $13.6 billion, marking Intel’s strongest performance versus estimates in over half a decade
- Second quarter 2026 outlook calls for revenue ranging from $13.8B to $14.8B, representing 7–14.7% growth year-over-year
- Jim Cramer praised the results as “outstanding,” highlighting CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s leadership and “profound cultural shift”
- Cramer predicts both Intel and AMD are positioned to “do very well for the rest of the year” as AI drives CPU demand
Intel (INTC) stock experienced a powerful 12.06% rally on Wednesday, settling at $94.75 after momentarily reaching an all-time intraday peak of $94.95. The dramatic upward movement came on the heels of impressive quarterly results and enthusiastic analysis from Jim Cramer during his Mad Money broadcast.
Cramer admitted the strength of the quarter caught him off guard. “Even I didn’t expect this formerly iconic chipmaker to report such an outstanding quarter,” he shared with his audience. “It did the impossible — it somehow lived up to the sky-high expectations.”
Intel delivered first quarter 2026 revenue totaling $13.6 billion, marking a 7% increase from the $12.7 billion recorded in the same period of 2025. Cramer characterized the performance as Intel’s most significant revenue beat compared to analyst expectations in more than five years, while profit margins also showed expansion.
The chipmaker’s shares had already experienced a massive 23.6% jump on April 24, the day quarterly results were released, establishing a previous record high. Wednesday’s trading session tacked on an additional 12% gain.
Cramer attributed much of the turnaround to CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s leadership. Tan assumed the top role just over twelve months ago. “I think there’s been a profound cultural shift in Intel,” Cramer observed. “When you listen to him on the conference call, Intel sounds like a company that is firing on all cylinders.”
AI-Powered CPU Surge Powers Exceptional Results
The revenue outperformance stemmed from robust CPU demand, which Cramer characterized as “the next leg of the AI revolution.” Intel CFO David Zinsner observed that escalating CPU demand provided support for pricing power, which directly contributed to the superior margin performance.
Cramer also emphasized that Intel’s newest generation of server CPUs is experiencing the company’s most rapid new product adoption cycle in five years.
Intel’s second quarter 2026 forecast anticipates revenue in the range of $13.8 billion to $14.8 billion. This guidance implies year-over-year expansion of 7% to 14.7% relative to the $12.9 billion generated in Q2 2025. The prior year’s second quarter showed no growth versus Q2 2024, making the current projection particularly noteworthy.
Cramer Spotlights AMD and Arm in Chip Sector Analysis
Regarding the wider semiconductor landscape, Cramer expressed confidence that CPU-focused companies — particularly Intel and AMD — are set up for strong performance through year-end.
AMD advanced 4.30% during the session, while Arm Holdings declined 1.53%. Cramer observed that equities perceived as “copycats” of Intel experienced steeper losses during trading, though he characterized this as a potential entry point for investors.
Cramer included a word of caution regarding entry timing. “Today’s parabolic move says you missed it,” he remarked. “But this market could go down in a heartbeat, and then you’re going to get another chance.”
Intel’s first quarter 2026 earnings discussion validated that the server CPU adoption rate represents the fastest deployment the company has witnessed in a five-year period.
