Intel heads into its April 23 earnings with rising investor expectations , but the key question remains whether AI-driven CPU demand can offset ongoing margin weakness . Revenue Stable, But Margins Under Pressure Intel is expected to deliver Q1 revenue around US$12.4 billion , slightly above the midpoint of its guidance range. However, the real concern lies in profitability: Gross margin guided at 34.5% , down from 39.2% a year ago EPS near breakeven (~US$0.00) vs US$0.13 last year This highlights continued pressure from costs, utilisation, and product mix , despite improving demand signals. AI CPUs: A Key Growth Driver Intel’s near-term bullish case centers on AI-related CPU demand , particularly its Xeon processors. A key development is its partnership with Alphabet , which reinforces: Intel’s role in AI data centre infrastructure Growing demand for AI inference and general-purpose computing Investors will watch c...
The FBM KLCI gained 0.5% or 8.7 points as Asian market pushed higher, led by the Japanese market.
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| FBM KLCI kickstart October in a positive mood |
As at 5pm, the benchmark index closed at 1,661.25 points, as the Japanese led the Asian equity market rally on weaker yen as US interest rate hike expectation strengthened the US dollar.
The Finance Index increased 0.65% to 14,249.84 points, the Properties Index up 0.47% to 1,209.86 points and the Plantation Index rose 0.37% to 7,949.49 points. The market traded within a range of 8.00 points between an intra-day high of 1,666.02 and a low of 1,658.02 during the session.
Japan's Nikkei 225 climbed 0.83% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng edged higher by 0.45%. China markets are closed this week for the National Day holidays.
Asian shares shrugged off a sluggish start and pushed higher on Tuesday, with Japanese markets leading the way after an upbeat US manufacturing survey bolstered the dollar according to reports by Reuters.
The upbeat US factory numbers had a mixed impact on US shares overnight. While strong survey reassured investors worried about the strength of the US economy, it also encouraged bets that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates as early as this year. Higher rates, while good for the dollar, could pressure equities markets, it says.
Across Bursa Malaysia, 1.49 billion shares valued at RM1.94 billion were traded. A total of 408 counters ended higher while 398 fell. Trading volume decreased as compared to Friday’s 1.75 billion shares worth RM2.19 billion.
Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd was the top gainer while the biggest decliner was Panasonic Manufacturing Malaysia Bhd. Today's most-active counter was Borneo Oil Bhd.
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