Does Intel Deserve More Credit for Q3 Earnings?

Intel reported its most recent quarterly results after the closing bell on Thursday, but investors weren't happy.

Published October 22, 2020, 4:23pm ET · 2 min read

A large, bright blue Intel logo with a distinctive arched 'i' and modern sans-serif font is positioned in the foreground. Behind it stands a contemporary building with a facade of dark blue reflective glass windows and white architectural elements, reflecting the sky.
The distinctive blue Intel logo stands prominently, symbolizing the company's renewed strategic focus and recent endorsements from leading technology firms. © Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Intel Corp. (NASDAQ: INTC | INTC Price Prediction) reported third-quarter financial results after markets closed Thursday. The firm said that it had $1.11 in earnings per share (EPS) and $18.33 billion in revenue, compared with consensus estimates that called for $1.10 in EPS and $18.22 billion in revenue. The same period from last year had $1.42 in EPS and $19.19 billion in revenue.

Intel achieved solid third-quarter revenue with data-centric revenue declining 10% and PC-centric revenue increasing 1% year over year. These results were driven by continued strength in notebook sales, which helped offset COVID-driven headwinds affecting significant portions of our business.

In terms of the specifics, DCG revenue grew 15% year over year, to $5.9 billion. As a part of this, Internet of Things Group revenue was down 26% to $911 million and Mobileye revenue increased 2% year over year to $234 million.

Intel’s memory business posted another solid quarter with revenues decreasing nearly 11% to $1.15 billion. PSG’s second-quarter revenue was down 19% to $411 million.

The PC-centric business was up 1% to $9.85 billion, driven by continued notebook strength to support the work- and learn-at-home dynamics of COVID-19.

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On the books, cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $6.34 billion at the end of the quarter, versus $5.28 billion at the end of the previous fiscal year.

Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, the company expects to see EPS of $1.10 and revenue of $17.4 billion. Consensus estimates are calling for $1.06 in EPS and $17.34 billion in revenue for the coming quarter.

Shares of Intel closed Thursday at $53.90, with a 52-week range of $43.63 to $69.29. The consensus analyst price target is $56.59. Following the announcement, the stock traded down over 9% at $48.95 in the after-hours session.

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Chris Lange

Chris Lange is a writer for 24/7 Wall St., based in Houston. He has covered financial markets over the past decade with an emphasis on healthcare, tech, and IPOs. During this time, he has published thousands of articles with insightful analysis across these complex fields. Currently, Lange's focus is on military and geopolitical topics. Lange's work has been quoted or mentioned in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, The Verge, Vice, The Intelligencer, Quartz, Nasdaq, The Motley Fool, Fox Business, International Business Times, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Barron’s, Benzinga, and many other major publications. A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Lange majored in business with a particular focus on investments. He has previous experience in the banking industry and startups.

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