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 (Dec 10): The FBM KLCI ended the trading day on a higher note today, posting a gain of 0.09% as bargain hunting and positive news flow on scheduled US tariffs on Chinese goods swayed investors.
Upon the ring of the closing bell, the local benchmark index closed 1.4 points higher at 1,563.19 points.
According to Rakuten Trade Research vice-president Vincent Lau, some bargain hunting emerged amid hopes that the scheduled tariff hike might be postponed.
"On top of that, regionally there are more green movements than red, and this could be a reaction to (news) reports suggesting that scheduled US tariffs on Chinese goods would be delayed," said Lau. Constituent stocks that saw gains today were Petronas Dagangan Bhd, IHH Healthcare Bhd and Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd. Meanwhile, the laggards of the local benchmark index were Sime Darby Bhd, Tenaga Nasional Bhd and Genting Malaysia Bhd.
Overall, some 2.37 billion shares worth RM1.71 billion were traded across Bursa Malaysia, with 405 counters posting gains, 357 counters posting declines and 420 counters remaining unchanged at the end of the trading day.
Reuters reported that most Southeast Asian markets today were subdued, ahead of the looming tariff deadline for Chinese imports entering the US.
This is despite reports indicating that both Chinese and US trade negotiators are laying the groundwork to delay the fresh US tariffs, which left untouched would come into force on Dec 15 (this Sunday).
Officials from both sides have indicated that this Sunday is not the final date to reach "phase-one" of the deal, as stated in a Wall Street Journal report. However, US President Donald Trump is set to increase tariffs on US$165 billion of Chinese goods come Sunday.
Investors are now suspecting that if Sunday's tariffs are delayed, it could take up to next year before a preliminary deal between the two economic powers is ironed out.
Moreover, markets are awaiting comments from the Federal Reserve's policy meeting, which ends today.
The Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.24% or 7.1 points to 2,924.42 points, while the Hang Seng Index rose 0.79% or 208.81 points to 26,645.43 points.
The Kospi ended the day 0.36% or 7.62 points higher at 2,105.62 points while the Nikkei 225 closed 0.08% or 18.33 points lower at 23,391.86 points.
Source: The Edge
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