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 1): The FBM KLCI closed down 0.69 point or 0.04% after volatile trade while Bursa Malaysia's energy index rose 46.79 points or 4.16% as Brent crude oil prices climbed to a four-year high at above US$80 a barrel.
At 5pm, the KLCI closed at 1,792.46 points while the energy index settled at 1,172.08 points.
"With short and medium-term momentum and trend indicators weakening after last week's decline, underscored by sell signals on both the daily and weekly slow stochastics indicators, the FBM KLCI looks to be topping out and set for further correction this week.
"Weak buying momentum and market undertone, a consequence of rising fears over worsening US-China trade tensions following the latest round of tit-for-tat import tariffs, and the rising US interest rate trend should see stocks trending lower for the immediate term," TA Securities Holdings Bhd wrote in a note today.
Malacca Securities Sdn Bhd senior analyst Kenneth Leong told theedgemarkets.com that while the KLCI traded in a flattish manner, the broader market continued to trade positively.
“We also see counters in the energy sector do well," Leong said.
At a glance, oil and gas-related shares rose to dominate Bursa Malaysia's most-active list while some emerged among top gainers.
Most active was Sapura Energy Bhd followed by Reach Energy Bhd and Sumatec Resources Bhd. Top gainers included Yinson Holdings Bhd and Petronas Dagangan Bhd.
Reuters reported that Brent crude oil prices rose to their highest since November 2014 on Monday ahead of US sanctions against Iran, the third-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, that kick in next month. Benchmark Brent crude oil futures rose to as much as US$83.32 a barrel on Monday and were at US$83.09 at 0335 GMT, still 36 cents, or 0.4 percent above their last close.
Source: The Edge
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