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 28): The FBM KLCI gained marginally today amid mixed sentiments, ahead of the Workers Day weekend and the release of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) data.
The benchmark index closed 0.14 points higher at 1768.06.
Inter Pacific Securities research head Pong Teng Siew said the mixed performance was due to some profit-taking ahead of the extended weekend, but mitigated by weak U.S. gross development product forecasts, prior to the release of actual data by the Department of Commerce tonight.
The upswing from earlier political development in France and first look of U.S. tax cut plan has also weakened, said Pong, slowing down gains in the U.S. and subsequently the regional markets.
“You get a sense that the momentum from the U.S. market upswing is somewhat weakening, with a mixed picture all over. The upswing reaction, based on very little information other than political data, is not lasting.
“Market is starting to adjust, and is bracing for some disappointment,” he added.
Reuters reported that Asian stocks slipped as investors took profits from the recent rally, ahead of the Labour Day weekend, and the Golden Week Holiday in Japan.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 lost 0.29%, South Korea’s Kospi declined 0.18%, while the Hong Kong Hang Seng Index lost 0.34%.
On the local front, gainers were led by Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd, while decliners were led by Scientex Bhd.
There were 544 gainers against 403 losers, with 358 counters closing unchanged. A total of 3.1 billion shares, worth RM2.9 billion, were traded.
Source: The Edge
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