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 21): The FBM KLCI fell to a low of 1,565.08 points today before recouping to close at a marginal 0.01% drop on Monday, following the decline in US equities on Friday (Oct 18).
At 5pm, the benchmark index finished 0.22 points down at 1,570.93. Main decliners were AMMB Holdings Bhd and Genting Bhd, which fell to close 1.99% and 1.05% lower respectively.
Market breadth was negative with more losers than gainers at 435 versus 383 at the end of the trading day. Total turnover stood at a total of 2.58 billion shares, worth RM1.48 billion.
Inter-Pacific Securities Sdn Bhd's head of research Pong Teng Siew told theedgemarkets.com that the key index’s performance today was a “knee-jerk reaction” to the fall in US equities, coupled with the “lack of driving factors locally”.
In China, the Shanghai Stock Exchange Composite Index was up 0.05% at its close, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 0.02% at the end of trading day after Chinese bourses revised rules to allow mainland investors to buy Hong Kong-listed dual-class shares for the first time.
Meanwhile, Japan’s Nikkei 225 ended the day with a 0.25% gain, while South Korea’s Kospi finished 0.20% higher.
Reuters said Asian shares were mostly higher on Monday, supported by hopes for progress in resolving the US-China trade war.
Chinese vice premier Liu He on Friday said Beijing will work with the United States to address each other’s concerns, and that stopping the trade war would be good for both sides and the world, it reported.
Also on Friday, US President Donald Trump said he thinks a trade deal between the United States and China will be signed by the time Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings take place in Chile on Nov 16 and 17, it added.
Source: The Edge

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