Is it worth buying Intel shares now, and how much more can they rise?
Intel shares have experienced record growth, rising from $20 in early 2025 to $130 in May 2026. Investors are watching the company's rapid recovery after a long period of lagging behind its competitors.
Today, Intel faces new opportunities: the launch of modern production facilities, strategic mergers, and new agreements with technology giants.
Naturally, the question arises: will Intel be able to catch NVIDIA and approach $200 per share, or does the current price already reflect the main growth?
This scenario is entirely possible if the company continues to implement its boards:
Intel is actively investing in new chip factories, including 3nm and 2nm plants, and expanding existing capacity in the US and Europe.
These steps are aimed at narrowing the technological gap with industry leaders such as TSMC and Samsung. At the same time, the company is establishing strategic partnerships with cloud providers and large enterprise customers in the server, data center, and AI segments, strengthening Intel's position in the high-performance chip market.
For the first quarter of 2026, Intel reported revenue growth and an improvement in adjusted earnings per share (EPS) to $0.29, significantly higher than last year's $0.13.
Cash flow has strengthened, laying the foundation for further growth. By comparison, NVIDIA earned about $4.90 per share over the same period—a significant gap, but Intel is gradually closing it through new technologies and increasing its share in the enterprise segment.
| Indicator | Intel (INTC) | NVIDIA (NVDA) |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $13.6 billion — Q1 2026 | $215.9 billion in FY2026 |
| Net Income | -$3.7 billion (GAAP) / $1.5 billion (Non-GAAP) | $120.1 billion (GAAP) |
| Earnings per share (EPS) | $0.29 (Non-GAAP) - Q1 2026 | $4.90 (GAAP) — FY2026 |
| Number of shares (approximately) | ~4.1 billion | ~24.5 billion (used for EPS) |
| Net Debt | ~$45 billion (after adjusting for losses) | ~$10 billion |
Analysts estimate the potential for Intel shares in the range of $150–$180 if the current dynamics of introducing new technologies and the successful implementation of strategic plans are maintained.
However, catching NVIDIA and reaching $200 per share will be difficult. Intel remains less profitable and has lower margins than the market leader in GPUs and AI chips. To approach $200, the company will need accelerated technological progress, successful implementation of AI solutions, and a foothold in the server segments dominated by competitors.
Conclusion: Intel shares are worth buying now, but with caution. The $130 price reflects a significant portion of the recovery, but the company still has potential to rise to $150–$180 under favorable conditions. Reaching $200 is possible, but unlikely without a technological breakthrough.
If you're long-term minded and believe in Intel's potential in AI and server segments, entering now still makes sense. However, you'll have to wait for the stock to reach 200 per share.
