China's Top Chipmaker SMIC Sees Profit Margin Plummet To 15-Year Low Amid US Export Controls
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 10 2024
0mins
Should l Buy INTC?
Source: Benzinga
- SMIC's Financial Performance: China's Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) reported a significant drop in profit margin, hitting its lowest level since 2009, despite a revenue increase of 19.7% to $1.75 billion for the first quarter of 2024.
- Future Outlook: SMIC anticipates further decline in gross margin to approximately 9% to 11% for the current quarter due to increased depreciation of equipment as it expands production capacity.
- Strategic Focus: SMIC is prioritizing aiding China in semiconductor supply amid U.S. export controls rather than focusing on substantial profits.
- Partnership with Huawei: SMIC partnered with Huawei to produce 5G mobile chipsets, with revenue from Chinese clients accounting for 81.6% of quarterly earnings.
- Industry Challenges: SMIC's struggles reflect broader challenges faced by the Chinese chip industry amidst U.S. sanctions, despite advancements in producing sophisticated chips.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy INTC?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on INTC
Wall Street analysts forecast INTC stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for INTC is 39.30 USD with a low forecast of 20.00 USD and a high forecast of 52.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
29 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
19 Hold
5 Sell
Hold
Current: 50.590
Low
20.00
Averages
39.30
High
52.00
Current: 50.590
Low
20.00
Averages
39.30
High
52.00
About INTC
Intel Corporation is a global designer and manufacturer of semiconductor products. The Company operates through three segments: Intel Products, Intel Foundry, and All Other. Its Intel Products segment includes Client Computing Group (CCG), Data Center and AI (DCAI), Network and Edge (NEX). The CCG is bringing together the operating system, system architecture, hardware, and software application integration to enable PC experiences. DCAI delivers workload-optimized solutions to cloud service providers and enterprises, along with silicon devices for communications service providers, network and edge, and HPC customers. NEX helps networks and edge compute systems from fixed-function hardware to general-purpose compute, acceleration, and networking devices running cloud native software on programmable hardware. The Intel Foundry segment comprises technology development, manufacturing and foundry services. All Other segments include Altera, Mobileye, Other.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Analysis of TQQQ's 52-Week Price Fluctuations
- Price Range Analysis: TQQQ's 52-week low is $17.50 per share and high is $60.685, with the latest trade at $50.81, indicating a cautious market sentiment as the price fluctuates within this range.
- Technical Analysis Tool: Comparing the latest share price to the 200-day moving average provides investors with valuable insights for technical analysis, aiding in trend assessment and potential buying opportunities.
- ETF Trading Mechanism: Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) trade like stocks, where investors buy and sell 'units' that can be created or destroyed based on demand, impacting the ETF's liquidity and market performance.
- Inflows and Outflows Monitoring: Weekly monitoring of changes in shares outstanding helps identify ETFs experiencing significant inflows (new units created) or outflows (old units destroyed), assessing their impact on underlying assets.
See More
Intel CEO Discusses Future Growth and Tech Investments
- Surging Market Demand: Intel's server CPU demand is skyrocketing due to the proliferation of AI applications, and although management anticipates a sequential decline in shipments for Q1 due to undersupply, new supply is expected to come online by the end of Q1, driving rapid growth in the data center business.
- Price Increase Strategy: Intel plans to raise server CPU prices by 10% for Chinese customers, which will not only boost revenue but also reflect the company's pricing power and competitiveness, especially against the backdrop of surging AI demand.
- Capacity Improvement and Customer Confidence: By recruiting external suppliers to assist with production, Intel has improved yields by 7% to 8% monthly on its 18A node, enhancing customer confidence in its foundry services and likely attracting more clients for collaboration.
- Ongoing Technology Investments: Despite cost-cutting measures, Intel continues to invest in GPUs and new materials, particularly glass substrates and potentially diamond materials, indicating the company's commitment to innovation while still prioritizing the traditional CPU market's demands.
See More
Intel CEO Discusses Future Growth Opportunities
- Surging Market Demand: Intel's server CPU demand is skyrocketing as AI applications shift from model training to executing everyday tasks, with CEO Tan noting that customer demand is outpacing production capacity, leading to expectations of higher sales volumes and prices in 2026.
- Price Increase Strategy: Intel plans to raise server CPU prices by 10% for Chinese customers, which will help boost revenue in its Data Center and AI (DCAI) segment, despite generating only $16.9 billion in 2025, significantly lower than the $26.1 billion peak in 2020.
- Capacity Improvement Plans: Tan revealed that Intel is improving yields for its 18A node by recruiting outside suppliers, with current yields increasing by 7% to 8% per month, which will enhance customer confidence in Intel's foundry services and attract more external clients.
- Future Technology Investments: Despite streamlining operations through layoffs, Tan committed to ongoing investments in GPUs and novel materials, including glass substrates and diamond materials, to enhance future chip performance, demonstrating Intel's continued dedication to technological innovation.
See More
3 Strategies to Calm Stock Market Anxiety Ahead of Key Jobs Report
Stock Market Outlook: The Super Bowl Indicator suggests a positive year for the stock market, particularly following the Seattle Seahawks' victory.
Investor Sentiment: Even skeptics of the Super Bowl Indicator can find reasons for optimism as the market approaches a significant January jobs report.
See More
Analysis of Investment Prospects for AI ETFs
- Market Pullback Impact: AI stocks experienced a brief 10% pullback in early 2026, yet they remain near recent highs, indicating sustained market interest and potential in this sector.
- ETF Investment Opportunity: The Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (NASDAQ: AIQ) invests across the AI ecosystem, with 28% allocated to non-tech companies, enhancing its resilience in the current macroeconomic environment.
- Capital Expenditure Growth: As companies like Meta increase AI capital expenditures, the scope of AI investment is broadening, providing strong growth opportunities for the ETF's diversified portfolio, which is expected to drive future performance.
- Interest Rate Expectations: The market is pricing in two potential interest rate cuts in 2026, which would support growth in AI-related stocks and improve financials, thereby boosting investor confidence.
See More
Enterprise Products Partners: An Underrated Energy Stock
- Stable Dividend Yield: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) has increased its distributions for 28 consecutive years, currently offering a 6.2% yield, reflecting strong cash flow and financial stability that appeals to income-focused investors.
- Robust Cash Flow: In fiscal 2025, EPD reported record cash flow from operations of $8.7 billion and returned approximately $5 billion to shareholders, indicating that its distributions are funded by operational performance rather than debt, which boosts investor confidence.
- Future Growth Potential: The company expects to generate $1 billion in discretionary free cash flow in 2026, with 50% to 60% earmarked for unit repurchases, which could further enhance distribution per unit for remaining investors and increase shareholder value.
- Project Investment Plans: EPD is undertaking $4.8 billion worth of major projects, including natural gas gathering and processing, with plans to invest $2.5 billion to $2.9 billion in 2026 and $2 billion to $2.5 billion in 2027, supporting future cash flow growth.
See More
Analysis of TQQQ's 52-Week Price Fluctuations
- Price Range Analysis: TQQQ's 52-week low is $17.50 per share and high is $60.685, with the latest trade at $50.81, indicating a cautious market sentiment as the price fluctuates within this range.
- Technical Analysis Tool: Comparing the latest share price to the 200-day moving average provides investors with valuable insights for technical analysis, aiding in trend assessment and potential buying opportunities.
- ETF Trading Mechanism: Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) trade like stocks, where investors buy and sell 'units' that can be created or destroyed based on demand, impacting the ETF's liquidity and market performance.
- Inflows and Outflows Monitoring: Weekly monitoring of changes in shares outstanding helps identify ETFs experiencing significant inflows (new units created) or outflows (old units destroyed), assessing their impact on underlying assets.
See More
Intel CEO Discusses Future Growth and Tech Investments
- Surging Market Demand: Intel's server CPU demand is skyrocketing due to the proliferation of AI applications, and although management anticipates a sequential decline in shipments for Q1 due to undersupply, new supply is expected to come online by the end of Q1, driving rapid growth in the data center business.
- Price Increase Strategy: Intel plans to raise server CPU prices by 10% for Chinese customers, which will not only boost revenue but also reflect the company's pricing power and competitiveness, especially against the backdrop of surging AI demand.
- Capacity Improvement and Customer Confidence: By recruiting external suppliers to assist with production, Intel has improved yields by 7% to 8% monthly on its 18A node, enhancing customer confidence in its foundry services and likely attracting more clients for collaboration.
- Ongoing Technology Investments: Despite cost-cutting measures, Intel continues to invest in GPUs and new materials, particularly glass substrates and potentially diamond materials, indicating the company's commitment to innovation while still prioritizing the traditional CPU market's demands.
See More
Intel CEO Discusses Future Growth Opportunities
- Surging Market Demand: Intel's server CPU demand is skyrocketing as AI applications shift from model training to executing everyday tasks, with CEO Tan noting that customer demand is outpacing production capacity, leading to expectations of higher sales volumes and prices in 2026.
- Price Increase Strategy: Intel plans to raise server CPU prices by 10% for Chinese customers, which will help boost revenue in its Data Center and AI (DCAI) segment, despite generating only $16.9 billion in 2025, significantly lower than the $26.1 billion peak in 2020.
- Capacity Improvement Plans: Tan revealed that Intel is improving yields for its 18A node by recruiting outside suppliers, with current yields increasing by 7% to 8% per month, which will enhance customer confidence in Intel's foundry services and attract more external clients.
- Future Technology Investments: Despite streamlining operations through layoffs, Tan committed to ongoing investments in GPUs and novel materials, including glass substrates and diamond materials, to enhance future chip performance, demonstrating Intel's continued dedication to technological innovation.
See More
3 Strategies to Calm Stock Market Anxiety Ahead of Key Jobs Report
Stock Market Outlook: The Super Bowl Indicator suggests a positive year for the stock market, particularly following the Seattle Seahawks' victory.
Investor Sentiment: Even skeptics of the Super Bowl Indicator can find reasons for optimism as the market approaches a significant January jobs report.
See More
Analysis of Investment Prospects for AI ETFs
- Market Pullback Impact: AI stocks experienced a brief 10% pullback in early 2026, yet they remain near recent highs, indicating sustained market interest and potential in this sector.
- ETF Investment Opportunity: The Global X Artificial Intelligence & Technology ETF (NASDAQ: AIQ) invests across the AI ecosystem, with 28% allocated to non-tech companies, enhancing its resilience in the current macroeconomic environment.
- Capital Expenditure Growth: As companies like Meta increase AI capital expenditures, the scope of AI investment is broadening, providing strong growth opportunities for the ETF's diversified portfolio, which is expected to drive future performance.
- Interest Rate Expectations: The market is pricing in two potential interest rate cuts in 2026, which would support growth in AI-related stocks and improve financials, thereby boosting investor confidence.
See More
Enterprise Products Partners: An Underrated Energy Stock
- Stable Dividend Yield: Enterprise Products Partners (EPD) has increased its distributions for 28 consecutive years, currently offering a 6.2% yield, reflecting strong cash flow and financial stability that appeals to income-focused investors.
- Robust Cash Flow: In fiscal 2025, EPD reported record cash flow from operations of $8.7 billion and returned approximately $5 billion to shareholders, indicating that its distributions are funded by operational performance rather than debt, which boosts investor confidence.
- Future Growth Potential: The company expects to generate $1 billion in discretionary free cash flow in 2026, with 50% to 60% earmarked for unit repurchases, which could further enhance distribution per unit for remaining investors and increase shareholder value.
- Project Investment Plans: EPD is undertaking $4.8 billion worth of major projects, including natural gas gathering and processing, with plans to invest $2.5 billion to $2.9 billion in 2026 and $2 billion to $2.5 billion in 2027, supporting future cash flow growth.
See More
