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 (June 8): The FBM KLCI closed 0.35 point or 0.02% lower at 1,785.57, as investors keep an eye on global events, including the UK elections, the upcoming testimony by former FBI director James Comey and the developments in the Middle East.
Public Investment Bank Bhd head of research Ching Weng Jin said market participants are taking a wait-and-see attitude, amid the various global uncertainties.
“Investors are not taking any risks amid the UK elections, Comey’s testimony in the US and the diplomatic row in the Middle East. With all these external uncertainties, people are not willing to take any chances,” he said.
Ching noted the low volume of trades today, but said these external factors should not significantly impact the local market.
Across the board, some 1.95 billion shares, worth RM2.15 billion, were traded. Decliners beat gainers at 459 versus 419, while 389 counters were unchanged.
United Plantations Bhd led decliners, while Hartalega Holdings Bhd was top gainer. The top actively-traded counter was AT Systematization Bhd.
Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.34%, South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.15%, while Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.38%.
Reuters reported Asian shares wobbled today, as investors braced for surprises from the UK election, a European Central Bank policy meeting and Comey’s testimony.
MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was little changed, though China edged up on unexpectedly solid trade data.
Source: The Edge
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