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...
Market Daily Report: FBM KLCI falls; volume breaches four billion shares as FBM ACE trumps blue chips
KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 12): The FBM KLCI fell 3.21 points or 0.2% as rotational interest in smaller-capitalisation stocks helped the FBM ACE gain 136.78 points or 2%. Such sentiment led to a share-trade volume rise across Bursa Malaysia to above four billion units.
At 5pm, the KLCI closed at 1,754 points while the FBM ACE ended at 6,840.98 points. The KLCI fell today despite US equity indices reaching record closing highs overnight.
In Malaysia, Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd senior analyst Kenneth Leong told theedgemarkets.com the stock market was "affected by renewed selling pressure in selected telco (telecommunication company) and banking heavyweights especially Hong Leong Bank Bhd and Digi.Com Bhd.”
Across Bursa Malaysia, 4.33 billion shares valued at RM2.39 billion changed hands. Gainers outpaced decliners at 446 versus 396 respectively.
Top gainers included rubber glove manufacturers Top Glove Corp Bhd, Hartalega Holdings Bhd and Kossan Rubber Industries Bhd.
US shares rose overnight. Reuters reported that major US stock indices edged up to post record closing highs on Wednesday after a report that a market-friendly candidate was being pushed as successor to Janet Yellen to helm the US central bank helped indices close near the highs of the day.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 42.21 points, or 0.18 percent, to end at 22,872.89, the S&P 500 gained 4.6 points, or 0.18 percent, to 2,555.24 and the Nasdaq Composite added 16.30 points, or 0.25 percent, to 6,603.55.
Source: The Edge

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