Should I buy Intel stock in 2025? Ireland Edition

What is Intel?

How much is Intel stock?

The price of Intel stock is falling this week. As of now, the current share price stands at $20.25, reflecting a 0.59% decline over the last 24 hours and a weekly decrease of 2.13%.

Dividend payouts are currently suspended (0.00%), and Intel's stock shows a moderate volatility with a five-year beta of 1.14.

For investors in Ireland, these figures highlight both the challenges and the potential for price swings in the technology sector.

Our full analysis on the Intel stock

After thoroughly reviewing Intel Corporation’s latest financial results and examining the stock’s trajectory over the last three years, our proprietary algorithms synthesize financial indicators, technical research, market data, and competitive dynamics to bring unique, actionable insights. This analysis integrates multiple dimensions to offer a robust assessment of Intel’s current standing and forward outlook. So, why might Intel stock once again become a strategic entry point into the global semiconductor sector in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

In the first half of 2025, Intel’s share price stands at $20.25 as of 30 May, positioning itself near the low end of its 52-week range ($17.67–$37.16). While the stock depreciated by -15.8% over the past six months and -32.8% year-over-year, it has edged up by 1% year-to-date, signalling early signs of potential stabilisation after a challenging period. This subdued price level follows a broad sectoral rotation and lingering headwinds affecting the global semiconductor landscape, with high inflation and shifting demand in key end markets.

• Leadership transition: The appointment of Lip-Bu Tan as CEO in March 2025, a respected executive with deep industry ties, was notably well-received, underlining strategic continuity and renewed investor confidence.
• Restructuring momentum: Intel has maintained a disciplined approach to cost reduction, targeting $17bn in OpEx for 2025, and taken decisive actions such as the finalisation of its NAND business sale to SK Hynix and a majority stake sale in Altera to Silver Lake.
• Operational resilience: Revenues for Q1 2025 remained stable YoY at $12.67bn, outperforming marginally on top-line expectations despite a challenging market.

From a macro perspective, the global drive toward digital transformation, ongoing investment in cloud infrastructure, AI, and edge computing continues to provide a robust secular tailwind for the semiconductor sector, offering Intel multiple vectors for resurgence.

Technical Analysis

Analysing Intel’s technical signals shows intriguing signs for buyers focused on optimal entry points:

• Relative Strength Index (RSI): Currently at 45.74 (neutral, not overbought), suggesting no downside excess and potential for an upward move.
• MACD: At -0.08, the indicator has recently crossed into a buy signal, often a precursor of bullish momentum, especially at oversold levels.
• ADX: At 8.52, while indicating mild directional movement, registers in the early stage of a potential trend formation.
• Support and resistance: The primary support zone lies at $20.00–$20.03, with a technical floor also at $19.41, while resistance is anchored at $21.00–$21.24. The price’s proximity to strong support presents an attractive risk/reward profile for investors seeking to position ahead of a potential rebound.
• Moving averages: Short- and long-term moving averages ($20.90/21.24/21.36/21.63) still trend above the current price, showing Intel trading at a sizeable discount to recent history and highlighting upside potential should momentum shift.

The current structure implies Intel shares may be carving out a base ahead of the next upward catalyst, with downside perceived as limited by consolidated support zones.

Fundamental Analysis

Intel’s Q1 2025 results reflect a company in the midst of strategic reset, laying the groundwork for future value creation:

• Stable revenues: Q1 revenue of $12.67bn showed resilience in the face of broad-based market uncertainty, supported by growth in both the Data Center & AI (+8% YoY) and Foundry (+7% YoY) segments, offsetting declines in Client Computing (-8% YoY).
• Operational efficiency: The company’s regimen of cost controls, confirmed by an OpEx target of $17bn for FY 2025 and a tight capex approach, ensures capital discipline during this transformation phase.
• Valuation: Though the forward P/E ratio remains elevated at 75.19 due to transitional earnings, this reflects the trough in earnings cycle and future potential as restructuring and growth initiatives deliver results.
• Balance sheet: Intel’s $21bn in cash provides ample liquidity, with a manageable debt/equity ratio (47.13%), supporting continued investments in R&D and capacity expansion.
• Innovation and market position: The company continues to invest heavily in next-gen technologies—$3.64bn in Q1 R&D alone—and remains a recognised leader in x86 CPU architectures, while accelerating its foundry ambitions to capture external design business.

From a long-term perspective, these structural strengths reinforce the investment thesis, particularly for investors seeking exposure to a diversified, global technology bellwether undergoing an ambitious transformation.

Volume and Liquidity

Intel’s 3-month average trading volume of 95.3 million shares confirms not only deep liquidity but also strong ongoing market engagement. This heightened activity demonstrates sustained buy-side and sell-side interest, which is critical for dynamic price discovery and efficient entry/exit for all classes of investors. The large public float ensures that valuation remains responsive to evolving fundamentals and incoming news flow, supporting a robust platform for future re-rating.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Looking ahead, several catalysts bode well for Intel’s trajectory:

• Product innovation: H2 2025 will see the launch of Intel’s 18A process node powering the new Panther Lake and the Core Ultra 200 series, and the rollout of Xeon 6 processors, which offer a 1.9x uplift in AI computing—key for datacentre and cloud growth.
• Foundry expansion: Early but measurable progress in Intel’s Foundry segment (+7% YoY) sharpens its competitive edge and unlocks a strategic revenue stream less exposed to the cyclical swings of PC demand.
• Strategic deals: The monetisation of non-core assets (Altera, NAND, etc.) crystalises value and finances future investment, while demonstrating disciplined execution.
• AI and cloud positioning: With rising demand for advanced chips powering AI, Intel’s re-energised roadmap positions the company to benefit from secular growth in data processing, edge computing, and cloud infrastructure.
• Sector tailwinds: Favourable sectoral momentum, driven by robust capex from hyperscalers and governments alike (e.g., US and EU chip subsidies), further support top-line potential and sectoral re-rating.

This confluence of strategic catalysts, innovation, and market demand reinforces Intel’s potential to return to above-average growth in 2025 and beyond.

Investment Strategies

Given Intel’s technical positioning and forward outlook, diverse investment strategies seem warranted:

• Short-term: The proximity to strong technical support around $20.00, coupled with momentum signals such as a bullish MACD, provides an attractive entry point for traders anticipating a bounce or reversion to the mean toward $21.00–$21.24 resistance.
• Medium-term: With a major product launch cycle set for H2 2025 and the company positioned to deliver on cost and innovation promises, mid-term investors could see meaningful upside as the equity re-rates on improving results and sentiment.
• Long-term: Intel appears to offer strong strategic value for patient investors. Participation at current levels grants exposure to an industry leader well placed to capture the next growth cycle in semiconductors, AI, and foundry services.

Indeed, technicals suggest Intel is at or near a cyclical low, with the next set of earnings or product rollouts likely to act as inflection points.

Is it the right time to buy Intel?

Intel’s fundamental strengths—brand legacy, innovation pipeline, robust liquidity, and expanding strategic focus—align with technical indicators pointing to a favourable risk/reward juncture. The stock trades near the bottom of its recent range, ahead of significant new product launches and amid sector-wide tailwinds. While the near-term remains shaped by transformation efforts and a competitive landscape, the convergence of stabilising operations, cost rationalisation, and an innovation-rich pipeline collectively justifies renewed investor interest and suggests Intel may be entering a new bullish phase.

For investors in the Irish market seeking exposure to the global technology ecosystem at an attractive valuation, Intel seems to represent an excellent opportunity to capitalise on both cyclical recovery potential and the company’s strategic transformation. With significant catalysts on the horizon, Intel stands poised for a re-rating as its new roadmap and leadership begin to deliver demonstrable results.

In sum, Intel’s risk/reward profile appears compelling at current levels, positioning the stock as one to watch closely for a resurgence as a core holding within the technology sector.

How to buy Intel stock in Ireland?

Buying Intel shares online is both straightforward and secure when you use a regulated broker. Irish investors now have easy access to US stocks—including Intel—via digital trading platforms approved and overseen by European financial authorities. You can choose between two main methods: buying Intel shares outright (spot/cash purchase), or trading via Contracts for Difference (CFDs), which allow for leveraged exposure. Each approach has different benefits and costs, so understanding these is key. Below, we detail both spot and CFD investing, and further down the page you'll find a comprehensive broker comparison to help you make your choice.

Cash buying

A cash purchase of Intel shares means directly buying the company’s stock on the US market (NASDAQ), so you actually own the underlying shares. Most Irish-friendly brokers charge a fixed commission per order—typically between $5 and $10, though many now offer $0 commission on US stocks.

Example

If the Intel share price is $20.25 and your starting budget is $1,000, you could buy about 49 shares (49 x $20.25 = $992.25), factoring in a brokerage fee of around $5. If Intel’s share price rises by 10%, your shares would be worth approximately $1,100 in total.
Result: That’s a $100 gross gain, or +10% on your investment (before any taxes or additional fees).

Trading via CFD

CFD trading allows you to speculate on Intel’s share price movements without owning the actual shares. With CFDs, you can trade both up (buy/long) and down (sell/short) and use leverage—so even small price movements can lead to notable gains or losses. Instead of a fixed commission, brokers typically charge a spread (the difference between buy and sell price) plus overnight financing fees if you hold positions open into the next day.

Example

You open a CFD position on Intel with $1,000 margin and 5x leverage, giving you $5,000 market exposure.
If Intel rises by 8%, your position grows by 8% × 5 = 40%—so you gain $400 on your original $1,000 (not accounting for spread and overnight fees). Remember: leverage magnifies both gains and losses, so risk management is important.

Final advice

Before investing, it’s essential to carefully compare brokers’ fees, available platforms, and regulatory protections—costs can vary significantly and have a real impact on returns. The best choice between spot buying and CFD trading depends on your financial goals, risk appetite, and preferred investment style. For detailed, up-to-date comparisons of Irish-accessible brokers, consult the comparator below to help you invest in Intel with confidence.

Our 7 tips for buying Intel stock

The latest news about Intel

Intel appointed Lip-Bu Tan as CEO in March 2025, prompting a positive market reaction. The leadership transition is significant as Lip-Bu Tan, with deep semiconductor sector expertise, is expected to reinforce Intel’s strategic pivot towards foundry services and AI solutions. Early signals have been constructive, with analyst commentaries highlighting continuity in Intel’s turnaround strategy and Tan’s track record for partnerships, which may be especially relevant in Europe, including Ireland where Intel has a large presence and ongoing expansion plans.

Intel reported stable Q1 2025 revenues at $12.67 billion, slightly beating analyst expectations. While the net loss stood at $887 million, revenue resilience offers reassurance against a volatile sector backdrop. Notably, the Data Center and AI segment grew by 8% year-over-year, buoyed by strengthening global demand for AI chips—a priority for technology users and data centers in Ireland. The company reiterated its focus on operational efficiency, delivering $450 million in cost reductions with further expense optimization targeted for the next quarters.

Intel’s foundry business delivered 7% year-over-year growth and continues to draw international investment support. This segment, which is central to Intel’s “IDM 2.0” transformation, saw a boost through the 51% sale of Altera to Silver Lake and the completion of the NAND memory divestiture to SK Hynix. These moves reinforce Intel’s capital flexibility, important for financing major foundry investments in Ireland, including its ongoing expansion at the Leixlip campus, a vital part of Intel’s supply chain within the EU and directly supporting the Irish tech manufacturing sector.

Technical indicators for Intel’s stock show mixed signals but a modestly positive MACD and neutral RSI. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is at 45.74, and the MACD has turned slightly positive, signaling potential for stabilization or upward movement. Although longer-term moving averages remain negative and analyst consensus points to moderate upside ($21.39 target, +5.6% above current levels), the technical signals suggest a period of possible accumulation, of interest to Irish institutional investors seeking U.S. tech allocations with a view to strategic patience.

Intel’s ongoing innovation in AI and advanced semiconductor technology is set to benefit European and Irish digital priorities. The launch of next-generation processors (Core Ultra 200 and Xeon 6) and the upcoming Intel 18A node, planned for late 2025, reflect Intel’s strategic drive into high-performance computing and AI, closely aligned with Ireland’s ambitions in digital transformation and its skilled workforce in semiconductor R&D and manufacturing. These product cycles and investments underpin the company’s capacity to serve European demand and continue justifying Intel’s role as both a key employer and a technology partner in Ireland.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.