The Circuit EP 150: Intel Earnings, Some Intel Growth Theories, X86 v. Arm in Datacenter
30 snips
Jan 26, 2026 They dig into Intel's strong Q4 but cautious guidance tied to wafer capacity constraints. Listeners hear debate over foundry credibility, advanced packaging yield challenges, and whether Intel can win third‑party customers. The conversation also covers CPU demand for AI, ARM gaining server share, and how hyperscaler design choices shape the datacenter landscape.
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Good Quarter, Weak Guidance
- Intel beat Q4 expectations but guided well below consensus due to supply constraints and wafer capacity limits.
- The market and analysts were unsatisfied with Intel's explanations about what exactly is constrained.
Wafer Capacity Is A Black Box
- Wafer capacity for Intel is a black box and investors likely overestimated it in growth projections.
- The current CPU upgrade cycle hit just as Intel is early in scaling its foundry, creating a supply-demand mismatch.
CapEx Caution Versus Market Opportunity
- Intel's cautious CapEx stance aims to preserve the balance sheet but risks missing near-term demand opportunities.
- New fabs take long to yield results, so increasing CapEx now won't immediately solve the 2026 supply shortfall.