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 (Sept 25): The FBM KLCI ended in negative territory for the fifth consecutive trading session today, on continued selling by foreign funds.
The benchmark index ended the day 1.90 points or 0.11% lower at 1769.14.
On the broader market, there were 558 decliners versus 264 advancers, while 412 counters finished unchanged. Some 2.46 billion shares, worth RM2.36 billion were traded.
“There has been unwinding of foreign funds and they have been selling for the past few days,” said Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd senior analyst Kenneth Leong.
“(The decline) is because of profit-taking as well, but only mild, in selective banking companies such as RHB Bank Bhd, Malayan Banking Bhd and AMMB Holdings Bhd,” Leong told theedgemarkets.com when contacted.
Elsewhere in Asia, Japan’s Nikkei 225 close up 0.50%, South Korea's Kospi fell 0.35%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng decreased by 1.36%.
Reuters reported the Nikkei share average rose as a weaker yen lifted exporters, while expectations of economic stimulus measures, after an election next month supported overall sentiment.
As the end of Japan’s fiscal first half looms on Sept 30 for a majority of listed companies, the market was also underpinned by investors buying up stocks before they go ex-dividend on Wednesday.
Source: The Edge

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