How Intel Grew to become the S&P 500’s Prime Performer This Week

Intel’s (INTC) inventory was the S&P 500’s high performer this week after the chipmaker named a brand new CEO amid hypothesis about the way forward for its foundry enterprise. 

The corporate introduced Wednesday that Lip-Bu Tan, the previous CEO of semiconductor software program agency Cadence Design Methods (CDNS), will develop into its new CEO as of subsequent Tuesday, sending shares hovering. They’ve added near 17% this week, at $24.05 as of Friday’s shut.

Deutsche Financial institution analysts known as the transfer a “fascinating consequence” for Intel, highlighting Tan’s “in depth experience within the semiconductor ecosystem.” 

Financial institution of America analysts recommended Tan might usher in a strategic shift for the corporate’s foundry enterprise, which has been the topic of acquisition rumors for months. Earlier within the week, Reuters reported Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Firm (TSM) approached different chip companies Nvidia (NVDA), Superior Micro Units (AMD), and Broadcom (AVGO) about forming a three way partnership to personal and run the U.S. chipmaker’s foundry division.

The foundry has additionally been seen as a possible beneficiary of the Trump administration’s acknowledged purpose of making certain synthetic intelligence chips are designed and manufactured within the U.S. The Reuters report mentioned Trump requested TSMC for assist in turning round Intel.

With this week’s positive aspects, Intel’s inventory is up 20% in 2025, making it the best-performing chip inventory on the S&P 500 for the 12 months to this point. That’s a stark change from 2024, which noticed the chipmaker’s inventory lose greater than half of its worth.