Intel Shares Jump 4% as 18A-P Node Hits Risk Production and Price Target Raised

INTC•

2026-06-17

Intel shares jumped 4% after its 18A-P node reached risk production, delivering 9% faster performance or 18% lower power draw while reusing existing 18A design rules. Bernstein also raised Intel’s price target to $100 and lifted its server CPU market estimate to $223 billion on stronger agentic AI demand.

1. 18A-P Process Enters Risk Production

Intel’s next-generation 18A-P process has reached the risk production stage, marking a key milestone before volume manufacturing. The node offers a 9% performance uplift at constant power or 18% power savings at constant speed, plus improved thermal management and retains design rule compatibility with the existing 18A ecosystem.

2. Bernstein Ups Intel Price Target on AI-Driven CPU Demand

Bernstein increased its server CPU TAM forecast to $223 billion and raised Intel’s price target to $100, reflecting a shift from generative to agentic AI workloads that demand heavier CPU orchestration. Analyst assumptions now treat the prior $137 billion estimate as a bear case, boosting medium- and long-term CPU revenue outlooks.