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...
KUALA LUMPUR (April 12): The FBM KLCI rebounded today from two days of consecutive losses, as it inched up 0.47% on market close, lifted by gains in oil price and Asian markets.
At 5pm, the benchmark index settled at 1,744.08, up 8.24 points from its previous close, after 4.02 billion shares worth RM2.4 billion were traded.
According to Inter-Pacific Research Sdn Bhd's head of research Pong Teng Siew, the market saw a recovery in the latter part of the day as sentiments improved.
"At the start of the day, the market was pretty volatile and was trading sideways as a result of the overnight US stocks' performance. But as the day progressed, sentiments improved along with the [rest of the] region, and the improvement in oil price. The European market also opened higher, which contributed to the improved sentiments as well," Pong said.
He added that the strong volume registered is also an indicator of investors' interest in the stock market.
Across the region, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index gained 0.93% and Korea's Kospi grew 0.24%, though Japan's Nikkei 225 slipped 1.04%.
Reuters reported that Japanese stocks fell to their lowest in more than four months on Wednesday as rising geopolitical tensions curbed risk appetite, with exporters badly hit as safe-haven yen spiked to a five-month high.
Back on Bursa Malaysia, the day recorded 427 gainers versus 506 decliners, while 349 counters were unchanged. Malayan United Industries Bhd was the most active counter while Nestle (M) Bhd emerged as the top gainer, as Ajinomoto Malaysia Bhd led the decliners.
Source: The Edge
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