Investors Spooked by High AI Costs Amid Tech Sell-Off
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2 hours ago
0mins
Should l Buy INTC?
Source: Fool
- Intel's Turnaround: Under CEO Lip-Bu Tan, Intel (INTC) is enhancing chip efficiency with its 18A manufacturing process, and despite a stagnant revenue of $53 billion for 2025, its stock has surged over 140% in the past year, indicating market optimism about its recovery.
- Uber's Management Uncertainty: Uber (UBER) faces uncertainty with its CFO stepping down and fears of being sidelined by Tesla and Alphabet, leading to a stock decline; however, partnerships with Waymo and GM could bolster its autonomous driving efforts, and a P/E ratio near 15 suggests undervaluation potential.
- Amazon's Value Proposition: Following its Q4 2025 earnings report, Amazon's (AMZN) P/E ratio has dropped to 29, reflecting its newfound attractiveness, despite a planned $200 billion capex for 2026 in AI and cloud; a $244 billion backlog in AWS and AI, up 40% year-over-year, signals strong future returns.
- Market Sentiment Impacting Tech Stocks: Investor concerns over high AI costs have led to a broad sell-off in tech stocks, yet historical trends suggest such situations are often temporary, potentially creating opportunities for investors to reassess and buy into companies like Intel, Uber, and Amazon.
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
29 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
19 Hold
5 Sell
Hold
Current: 46.480
Low
20.00
Averages
39.30
High
52.00
Current: 46.480
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.
Intel Stock Rebounds but Fundamentals Lag Behind
- Stock Rebound: Intel's stock nearly doubled in 2025, yet the company's fundamental business metrics remain unhealed, indicating disappointment among long-term shareholders.
- Revenue and Profit Decline: In 2022, Intel's revenue plunged by 20% and net income fell nearly 40%, with a further 80% drop in net income in 2023, reflecting the impact of high inflation and macroeconomic pressures on demand.
- Management Changes: Following $15.9 billion in impairment and $2.8 billion in restructuring charges, Intel's board forced former CEO Pat Gelsinger to resign, appointing Lip-Bu Tan as the new CEO in hopes of revitalizing performance.
- Future Outlook: Despite a rise in gross margin to 34.8% in 2025, Intel reported a GAAP loss of approximately $300 million, as weakness in the PC segment offset gains in data center and AI sales, leaving the success of its rebound uncertain.
See More
Investors Spooked by High AI Costs Amid Tech Sell-Off
- Intel's Turnaround: Under CEO Lip-Bu Tan, Intel (INTC) is enhancing chip efficiency with its 18A manufacturing process, and despite a stagnant revenue of $53 billion for 2025, its stock has surged over 140% in the past year, indicating market optimism about its recovery.
- Uber's Management Uncertainty: Uber (UBER) faces uncertainty with its CFO stepping down and fears of being sidelined by Tesla and Alphabet, leading to a stock decline; however, partnerships with Waymo and GM could bolster its autonomous driving efforts, and a P/E ratio near 15 suggests undervaluation potential.
- Amazon's Value Proposition: Following its Q4 2025 earnings report, Amazon's (AMZN) P/E ratio has dropped to 29, reflecting its newfound attractiveness, despite a planned $200 billion capex for 2026 in AI and cloud; a $244 billion backlog in AWS and AI, up 40% year-over-year, signals strong future returns.
- Market Sentiment Impacting Tech Stocks: Investor concerns over high AI costs have led to a broad sell-off in tech stocks, yet historical trends suggest such situations are often temporary, potentially creating opportunities for investors to reassess and buy into companies like Intel, Uber, and Amazon.
See More
Micron Technology: An Investment Opportunity Amid AI Boom
- Significant Returns: Micron Technology has achieved an average annual return of 352% over the past year and 91% over the past three years, highlighting its strong performance in the memory chip market, particularly amid surging AI demand that has drawn considerable investor interest.
- Robust Revenue Growth: In the first quarter, Micron reported a 57% year-over-year increase in revenue and a staggering 180% rise in net income, indicating its critical position in the rapidly expanding AI market, with future benefits expected as AI spending is projected to reach $2.5 trillion this year.
- Enhanced Market Competitiveness: The CEO of Micron emphasized that the company's technological leadership, differentiated product portfolio, and strong operational execution position it as a key enabler of AI, further solidifying its market position in a competitive landscape.
- Valuation Considerations: While Micron's forward P/E ratio stands at 10.6, below its five-year average of 11.6, its P/S ratio of 11.1 significantly exceeds the five-year average of 3.6, prompting investors to carefully assess the risks associated with its current high valuation.
See More
IBM Shares Plunge 12.2% Amid Tech Selloff and Rising Yields
- Significant Stock Decline: IBM's stock fell 12.2% last week, reaching a five-month low and marking its steepest weekly decline in nearly six years, reflecting heightened investor concerns over technology stocks amid rising Treasury yields.
- Market Sentiment Shift: Despite an upbeat earnings report from IBM last month and generally positive results from major tech firms, the sector faced a sharp selloff, with the Nasdaq 100 declining 2.1% for the fifth consecutive week, indicating a broader profit-taking trend.
- Acquisition Plans and Growth Outlook: IBM's recent $11 billion acquisition of cloud company Confluent and rapid growth in its AI business, along with a forecast for 2026 revenue exceeding analyst expectations, position the company as a long-term investment opportunity despite short-term stock price declines.
- Divergent Analyst Opinions: Among 21 analysts covering IBM, 11 recommend 'Buy' or higher, 7 suggest 'Hold', and 3 advise 'Sell', with an average price target of $324.95 indicating a potential 24% upside, highlighting the mixed sentiment regarding IBM's future prospects.
See More
Investors Grow Concerned About Potential Bear Market
- Shift in Market Sentiment: Since 2022, investor fears of a bear market have intensified, with value, dividend, and international stocks leading the way despite the S&P 500 being virtually flat in 2026, indicating a cautious outlook on economic prospects.
- Economic Growth Expectations: While current GDP and earnings growth expectations remain stable and inflation is not raising immediate concerns, worries about the job market and tariff impacts could make stocks vulnerable to corrections, prompting investors to consider portfolio adjustments in anticipation of potential changes.
- Bond Investment Strategy: The Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) focuses on short-term bonds, offering a 3.6% yield that helps investors maintain low volatility during stock downturns, effectively eliminating default risk and serving as a preferred safe asset.
- Defensive Stock Allocation: The Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) reduces portfolio risk by investing in low-volatility stocks, with current sector allocations of 26% technology, 12% industrials, and 11% consumer discretionary, providing a buffer against market fluctuations.
See More
Bloom Energy Stock Surges Nearly 300% in a Year
- Remarkable Market Performance: Bloom Energy's stock has surged 465% since last Valentine's Day, with its market cap nearing $40 billion, reflecting strong performance in the energy sector and heightened investor confidence.
- Clear Competitive Advantage: With U.S. energy demand skyrocketing and a projected grid deficit of over 100 gigawatts in the next five years, Bloom Energy's solid oxide fuel cell technology allows for rapid installation, positioning the company favorably in a competitive landscape.
- Sustained Growth Momentum: Partnerships with Brookfield Asset Management and Oracle are set to increase Bloom's capacity from 1 GW to 2 GW by the end of 2026, further solidifying its market position and driving revenue growth.
- Impressive Financial Performance: Bloom Energy has achieved record revenue for four consecutive quarters and reported profitability in its latest earnings, with 2026 revenue guidance exceeding $3 billion and a backlog of $20 billion, indicating strong business growth potential.
See More
Intel Stock Rebounds but Fundamentals Lag Behind
- Stock Rebound: Intel's stock nearly doubled in 2025, yet the company's fundamental business metrics remain unhealed, indicating disappointment among long-term shareholders.
- Revenue and Profit Decline: In 2022, Intel's revenue plunged by 20% and net income fell nearly 40%, with a further 80% drop in net income in 2023, reflecting the impact of high inflation and macroeconomic pressures on demand.
- Management Changes: Following $15.9 billion in impairment and $2.8 billion in restructuring charges, Intel's board forced former CEO Pat Gelsinger to resign, appointing Lip-Bu Tan as the new CEO in hopes of revitalizing performance.
- Future Outlook: Despite a rise in gross margin to 34.8% in 2025, Intel reported a GAAP loss of approximately $300 million, as weakness in the PC segment offset gains in data center and AI sales, leaving the success of its rebound uncertain.
See More
Investors Spooked by High AI Costs Amid Tech Sell-Off
- Intel's Turnaround: Under CEO Lip-Bu Tan, Intel (INTC) is enhancing chip efficiency with its 18A manufacturing process, and despite a stagnant revenue of $53 billion for 2025, its stock has surged over 140% in the past year, indicating market optimism about its recovery.
- Uber's Management Uncertainty: Uber (UBER) faces uncertainty with its CFO stepping down and fears of being sidelined by Tesla and Alphabet, leading to a stock decline; however, partnerships with Waymo and GM could bolster its autonomous driving efforts, and a P/E ratio near 15 suggests undervaluation potential.
- Amazon's Value Proposition: Following its Q4 2025 earnings report, Amazon's (AMZN) P/E ratio has dropped to 29, reflecting its newfound attractiveness, despite a planned $200 billion capex for 2026 in AI and cloud; a $244 billion backlog in AWS and AI, up 40% year-over-year, signals strong future returns.
- Market Sentiment Impacting Tech Stocks: Investor concerns over high AI costs have led to a broad sell-off in tech stocks, yet historical trends suggest such situations are often temporary, potentially creating opportunities for investors to reassess and buy into companies like Intel, Uber, and Amazon.
See More
Micron Technology: An Investment Opportunity Amid AI Boom
- Significant Returns: Micron Technology has achieved an average annual return of 352% over the past year and 91% over the past three years, highlighting its strong performance in the memory chip market, particularly amid surging AI demand that has drawn considerable investor interest.
- Robust Revenue Growth: In the first quarter, Micron reported a 57% year-over-year increase in revenue and a staggering 180% rise in net income, indicating its critical position in the rapidly expanding AI market, with future benefits expected as AI spending is projected to reach $2.5 trillion this year.
- Enhanced Market Competitiveness: The CEO of Micron emphasized that the company's technological leadership, differentiated product portfolio, and strong operational execution position it as a key enabler of AI, further solidifying its market position in a competitive landscape.
- Valuation Considerations: While Micron's forward P/E ratio stands at 10.6, below its five-year average of 11.6, its P/S ratio of 11.1 significantly exceeds the five-year average of 3.6, prompting investors to carefully assess the risks associated with its current high valuation.
See More
IBM Shares Plunge 12.2% Amid Tech Selloff and Rising Yields
- Significant Stock Decline: IBM's stock fell 12.2% last week, reaching a five-month low and marking its steepest weekly decline in nearly six years, reflecting heightened investor concerns over technology stocks amid rising Treasury yields.
- Market Sentiment Shift: Despite an upbeat earnings report from IBM last month and generally positive results from major tech firms, the sector faced a sharp selloff, with the Nasdaq 100 declining 2.1% for the fifth consecutive week, indicating a broader profit-taking trend.
- Acquisition Plans and Growth Outlook: IBM's recent $11 billion acquisition of cloud company Confluent and rapid growth in its AI business, along with a forecast for 2026 revenue exceeding analyst expectations, position the company as a long-term investment opportunity despite short-term stock price declines.
- Divergent Analyst Opinions: Among 21 analysts covering IBM, 11 recommend 'Buy' or higher, 7 suggest 'Hold', and 3 advise 'Sell', with an average price target of $324.95 indicating a potential 24% upside, highlighting the mixed sentiment regarding IBM's future prospects.
See More
Investors Grow Concerned About Potential Bear Market
- Shift in Market Sentiment: Since 2022, investor fears of a bear market have intensified, with value, dividend, and international stocks leading the way despite the S&P 500 being virtually flat in 2026, indicating a cautious outlook on economic prospects.
- Economic Growth Expectations: While current GDP and earnings growth expectations remain stable and inflation is not raising immediate concerns, worries about the job market and tariff impacts could make stocks vulnerable to corrections, prompting investors to consider portfolio adjustments in anticipation of potential changes.
- Bond Investment Strategy: The Vanguard Short-Term Treasury ETF (VGSH) focuses on short-term bonds, offering a 3.6% yield that helps investors maintain low volatility during stock downturns, effectively eliminating default risk and serving as a preferred safe asset.
- Defensive Stock Allocation: The Vanguard U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF (VFMV) reduces portfolio risk by investing in low-volatility stocks, with current sector allocations of 26% technology, 12% industrials, and 11% consumer discretionary, providing a buffer against market fluctuations.
See More
Bloom Energy Stock Surges Nearly 300% in a Year
- Remarkable Market Performance: Bloom Energy's stock has surged 465% since last Valentine's Day, with its market cap nearing $40 billion, reflecting strong performance in the energy sector and heightened investor confidence.
- Clear Competitive Advantage: With U.S. energy demand skyrocketing and a projected grid deficit of over 100 gigawatts in the next five years, Bloom Energy's solid oxide fuel cell technology allows for rapid installation, positioning the company favorably in a competitive landscape.
- Sustained Growth Momentum: Partnerships with Brookfield Asset Management and Oracle are set to increase Bloom's capacity from 1 GW to 2 GW by the end of 2026, further solidifying its market position and driving revenue growth.
- Impressive Financial Performance: Bloom Energy has achieved record revenue for four consecutive quarters and reported profitability in its latest earnings, with 2026 revenue guidance exceeding $3 billion and a backlog of $20 billion, indicating strong business growth potential.
See More
