Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) Powers Past $30 With AI Strategy, Foundry Breakthrough, and Bullish Technicals

Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) Signals Bullish Momentum With Technical Breakout and CEO-Led Turnaround

Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) has entered a new phase of technical and strategic evolution, marked by a confirmed breakout above its 30-week exponential moving average (EMA) and aggressive CEO-led repositioning. Shares now trade above $30.00, significantly rebounding from April 2024 lows near $23.00. This marks a pivotal technical inflection as Intel emerges from a multi-quarter consolidation range marked by accumulation volume. The black volume bars in recent weeks have consistently outpaced red ones, suggesting that institutional money is building long positions at current levels. Intel’s stock is still trading below its 10-month EMA, but it's inching toward it with enough force to suggest a pending crossover that could trigger momentum-buying strategies.

INTC Volume And Momentum Patterns Point To Accumulation Ahead Of Earnings

The volume structure surrounding NASDAQ:INTC is now distinctly bullish. From mid-2024, Intel’s weekly volume has been dominated by accumulation days, confirmed by higher closes paired with stronger volume bars. On a relative strength basis, INTC is trading flat against the S&P 500 index, but that neutral stance masks a steadily climbing PPO momentum indicator. As the PPO black line rises toward the zero line, smart money appears to be positioning for a multi-month breakout. Four consecutive bullish weeks now place INTC firmly above its 30-week EMA, the strongest technical signal in over a year. The next test comes at the upper resistance band near $31.50–$32.00 — a break above that would open room toward $35.00.

Insider Confidence and Strategic Option Activity Around INTC Signal Strong Institutional Backing

Looking at institutional positioning, Intel insiders have begun to express confidence via equity transactions. You can track all insider moves at this link. Additionally, hedge funds and retail quant traders are beginning to implement advanced collar strategies to express cautious optimism. One such live strategy: buy INTC shares at $22.49, sell 3-month $30.00 covered calls for $0.43, and purchase matching puts at $23.00 for $2.26. This creates a tightly collared position with upside capped at $28.17 and protected downside at $21.17. The 4:1 reward-to-risk ratio has become a favored approach by traders managing INTC volatility.

New CEO Lip-Bu Tan Shifts INTC’s Strategic Compass With AI, Foundry, and Efficiency Focus

Since taking over in March, Lip-Bu Tan has executed a transformative strategy rooted in engineering excellence, client trust, and aggressive expansion into AI. As former CEO of Cadence Design Systems, Tan brings credibility and network access—one of which has already produced a strategic AI partnership with SoftBank. The goal: develop a novel low-power AI chip by 2027, diverging from traditional High Bandwidth Memory architecture. Intel’s partnership with SoftBank allows them to stack DRAM more efficiently, with mass production expected by decade’s end. This long-term catalyst could reset Intel’s competitive standing in AI and edge computing.

AI Foundry Push and the 18A Process Are Critical to Intel’s Rebuild

Intel’s foundry ambitions have moved from theoretical to tangible, as the 18A (1.8nm) process enters risk production. If successful, this architecture positions Intel to compete directly with Taiwan Semiconductor (NYSE:TSM) in hosting next-gen chip design from third-party clients. CEO Tan has made this expansion a core pillar of Intel’s future, emphasizing trust with foundry clients and robust execution. By 2027, INTC aims to be the go-to U.S. fabrication leader. This complements the AI strategy and positions Intel as both a chipmaker and service foundry—a model used successfully by TSMC.

July 24 Earnings Set To Test Market Confidence In Tan’s Execution Strategy

All eyes now turn to Intel’s July 24 earnings, where expectations are muted—EPS of $0.01 and revenue of $11.88 billion. Given Tan’s "under-promise and overdeliver" ethos, a beat on either metric could ignite technical breakout confirmation. The Q1 surprise was a key turning point; repeating it would reinforce Wall Street’s early optimism. This earnings report will also offer the first clear signs of whether AI, foundry, and margin expansion efforts are gaining traction. Any forward guidance on the 18A timeline or SoftBank collaboration will be immediately priced in.

Chart Reversal Suggests INTC May Have Bottomed Long-Term

From a long-term technical lens, INTC is trading in the same price territory it held in 2006. That 18-year lack of net share price appreciation reflects its legacy tech stagnation—but also its potential upside from re-rating. The monthly chart is now forming a wide base, and if July closes green, it could mark the start of a new secular rally. Weekly RSI is trending up, while the PPO’s recovery from deeply negative territory further supports the case for long-term accumulation.

Profitability And Valuation Metrics Show Structural Improvement

INTC now boasts an A+ profitability grade and a valuation rating upgraded from D to B in just three months. This rating momentum, combined with rising analyst earnings revisions, shows early signs that the market is beginning to reward Intel’s turnaround. The absence of a dividend remains a negative, but if Intel meets its margin goals and regains AI relevance, capital return programs could resume by late 2025. The technicals say accumulation. The fundamentals say early recovery. That convergence is rare.

Options Activity Confirms Bullish Positioning In INTC Shares

Options markets are also showing supportive flows. Put-call ratios have declined, while implied volatility remains stable—indicative of confident long positions rather than speculative buying. Open interest is rising at the $30 and $35 call strikes, suggesting traders are looking for a breakout extension. Risk reversals have skewed toward calls, a signal of rising institutional bullishness. The derivative market is quietly pricing a base case of INTC trading in the $32–$34 range by Q3 2025.

INTC Outlook: Accumulate With Upside To $35 On AI Repositioning And Technical Tailwinds

After synthesizing the data—technical structure, insider confidence, CEO strategy, AI partnerships, foundry expansion, and improving ratings—the rating for NASDAQ:INTC is now Buy. Accumulation zones remain between $27.50–$30.00, with a near-term breakout target of $31.80 and medium-term extension toward $35.00. For investors seeking to reduce volatility, collar strategies remain compelling. But for those with medium-risk appetite, INTC now represents a clear recovery bet on U.S. semiconductor self-sufficiency and Tan’s ability to execute transformational strategy. The upside case is no longer theoretical—it’s developing now.

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