Intel Among Top Chip Stocks Driving S&P 500’s 7.4% Rally
Intel is one of five chipmakers driving the S&P 500’s 7.4% advance in 2026, as the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index surged 60% this year before a recent 6.4% pullback. Major technology firms plan up to $725 billion in AI infrastructure spending this year, supporting ongoing chip‐sector growth expectations.
1. Chip Sector Surge and Recent Pullback
The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index has climbed 60% in 2026 as investors poured money into AI-related chipmakers, but the group fell 6.4% over the last two trading sessions amid inflation concerns. Intel, along with Micron, Broadcom and AMD, has been a leading driver of this rally, contributing substantially to the index’s gains before the pullback.
2. Intel’s Contribution and AI Spending Outlook
Intel ranks among the top five contributors to the S&P 500’s 7.4% increase this year, highlighting its role in the AI hardware build-out. With Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft and Meta planning up to $725 billion in capital expenditures on AI infrastructure this year, Intel stands to benefit from sustained demand for data-center and AI-optimized processors.