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 (Oct 27): The FBM KLCI gained 9.33 points or 0.5% on index-linked Tenaga Nasional Bhd's share price rise and as investors reacted positively to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's Budget 2018 speech.
At 5pm, the KLCI closed at 1,746.13 points, after rising to its intraday high at 1,751.50 points. Bursa Malaysia top gainer Tenaga added 62 sen to close at RM14.96, on the state-controlled utility's latest dividend and after the company announced a new dividend policy.
Across Bursa Malaysia, 2.76 billion shares, worth RM2.66 billion were traded. There were 476 gainers versus 310 decliners.
Yesterday, Tenaga proposed a dividend of 44 sen a share for its fourth quarter ended Aug 31, 2017 (4QFY17). The quarterly dividend brings full-year dividends to 61 sen.
Tenaga also said "with effect from the financial year ended 31 August 2017, TNB (Tenaga) will adopt a new dividend policy for the company. TNB intends to distribute dividends based on 30% to 60% dividend payout ratio, based on the reported consolidated net profit attributable to shareholders after minority interest, excluding extraordinary, non-recurring items."
Today, analysts said Najib's Budget 2018 speech, which began at 3:30pm, augured well for the stock market.
“The oversold KLCI, coupled with the optimistic budget speech by PM Najib, boosted the key index to close higher,” Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd head of retail research Loui Low told theedgemarkets.com.
Source: The Edge

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