Key Takeaways
- Shares of Intel climbed more than 10% Tuesday following reports of preliminary chip manufacturing discussions with Apple
- Apple representatives also toured Samsung’s under-construction facility in Texas during the same exploratory phase
- TSMC remains Apple’s primary manufacturing partner for flagship processors
- Talks remain in early stages with no formal agreements in place
- Intel shares have surged approximately 160% in 2026, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 semiconductors index (~22%)
Shares of Intel (INTC) surged by more than 10% during Tuesday’s morning session after Bloomberg disclosed that Apple initiated conversations with Intel regarding potential chip manufacturing for its product lineup.
Trading at $105.64 by 9:53 AM ET, Intel stock posted a 10.29% gain for the session. The shares briefly reached $105.80 during intraday trading.
According to reports, these discussions are characterized as early-stage and exploratory in nature. No formal contracts have been executed, and it remains uncertain whether these conversations will result in any concrete partnership.
Apple presently depends predominantly on TSMC for manufacturing its core silicon. The disclosed discussions with Intel indicate that Apple is evaluating alternative manufacturing partnerships.
During this evaluation period, Apple leadership also conducted site visits to Samsung’s manufacturing facility currently being constructed in Texas. Samsung emerged as another potential partner mentioned in Bloomberg’s coverage alongside Intel.
Intel Foundry, the company’s chip manufacturing arm, represents a cornerstone of Intel’s strategic direction in recent years. Securing Apple as a manufacturing client would constitute a transformative achievement for this division.
Intel’s Remarkable 2026 Performance
Prior to Tuesday’s rally, Intel had already established itself as one of the semiconductor sector’s top performers in 2026.
Year-to-date, the stock has climbed approximately 160%. By comparison, the S&P 500 semiconductors index has advanced roughly 22% during the identical timeframe.
Notwithstanding this impressive trajectory, analyst sentiment remains measured. Among 47 analysts tracked by LSEG who cover Intel, the consensus recommendation stands at hold, with a median price target of $80—substantially below current trading levels.
Understanding Apple’s Manufacturing Strategy
Apple has consistently pursued supply chain diversification and greater control over component sourcing. Its proprietary processors, including the A-series and M-series chips, are manufactured almost exclusively by TSMC at present.
A strategic pivot toward Intel or Samsung would signal a substantial reconfiguration of Apple’s approach to sourcing its most critical hardware components.
While Intel has acknowledged expanding its foundry customer engagement efforts, the company has not issued direct commentary on the specific Apple discussions referenced in Bloomberg’s reporting.
Tuesday’s price movement extended an already impressive performance streak for Intel stock throughout 2026.
Get 3 Free Stock Ebooks
Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis.
- Top 10 AI Stocks - Leading AI companies
- Top 10 Crypto Stocks - Blockchain leaders
- Top 10 Tech Stocks - Tech giants
