Chipmaker Intel's Momentum Jumps As Investors Look Past TSMC Legal Drama Amid Rate Cut Bets

<p><strong>Intel Corp. </strong><a class="ticker-link" data-ticker="INTC" data-exchange="NASDAQ" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/INTC" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/INTC">INTC</a>)</a> is witnessing a notable strengthening in market sentiment, with its<strong> Benzinga Edge&#8217;s Stock Rankings</strong>&#8216; momentum score climbing from 88.53 to 90.51 week-over-week.</p>



<p><em>Check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/INTC">INTC's stock price here.</a></em></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Intel Jumps In Top Decline Of Momentum Gains</strong></h2>



<p>This shift pushes the chipmaker into the top tier of relative strength, signaling that investors are prioritizing macroeconomic tailwinds over a brewing corporate espionage issue involving its foundry rival, <strong>Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. </strong><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSM" target="_blank" class="ticker-link" data-ticker="TSM" data-exchange="NYSE" rel="noopener">(NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/TSM">TSM</a>)</a>.</p>



<p>It maintains a strong price trend in the medium and long terms, but a weak trend in the short term. Its growth ranking, however, remains weak. Additional performance details, as per <strong>Benzinga&#8217;s Edge Stock Rankings</strong>, are <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-3/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound">available here.</a></p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-3/#:~:text=Turn%20Market%20Chaos,when%20markets%20rebound"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="841" height="121" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/28014848/INTC-EDGE-NOV.-28.png" alt="Benzinga's Edge Stock Rankings for INTC. " class="wp-image-1187577" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/28014848/INTC-EDGE-NOV.-28.png 841w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/28014848/INTC-EDGE-NOV.-28-300x43.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/28014848/INTC-EDGE-NOV.-28-768x110.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 841px) 100vw, 841px" /></a></figure>



<p><strong>See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/11/49104278/nvidia-partner-super-micro-computer-sees-weakening-momentum-as-margin-pressures-revenue-shortfal">Nvidia Partner Super Micro Computer Sees Weakening Momentum As Margin Pressures, Revenue Shortfall Weigh On Stock</a></strong></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Rate Cuts Act As A Catalyst For Technical Breakout</strong></h2>



<p>The primary catalyst for this technical breakout is growing optimism surrounding Federal Reserve policy. Following a forecast from Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan predicting a December interest rate cut, Intel shares have surged alongside the broader technology sector.</p>



<p>The potential for lower rates is uniquely bullish for Intel's <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/25/11/49038075/intel-intc-stock-investors-cheer-as-shares-surge-what-to-know">capital-intensive IDM 2.0</a> strategy.</p>



<p>Unlike its fabless competitors, Intel is borrowing heavily to finance massive factory expansions in Arizona and Ohio; lower rates would directly reduce the company's weighted average cost of capital and improve the net present value of these long-term investments.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Intel Stands By Hiring Former TSMC Executive</strong></h2>



<p>This momentum is building despite significant legal headwinds. Taiwan prosecutors recently <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/tech/25/11/49108424/tsmc-ex-vps-home-raided-as-chip-giant-alleges-intel-recruit-leaked-trade-secrets">raided the home</a> of <strong>Wei-Jen Lo</strong>, a former TSMC vice president who joined Intel in October, seizing computers and storage devices. </p>



<p>TSMC alleges a &#8220;high probability&#8221; that Lo leaked trade secrets regarding advanced 5nm and 3nm manufacturing processes to his new employer.</p>



<p>Intel has firmly rejected the accusations, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/legal/25/11/49102999/intel-stands-by-hiring-former-tsmc-executive-accused-of-leaking-trade-secrets">standing by its hire</a> and characterizing the executive movement as a &#8220;healthy&#8221; industry practice. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>INTC Outperforms Market In 2025</strong></h2>



<p>While Intel shares have risen 82.05% year-to-date, the Nasdaq 100 index has returned 20.32% in the same period. Over the year, INCT has gained 53.06%.</p>



<p>On Wednesday, the stock rose 2.74% to $36.81 apiece. It was trading 1.25% higher in premarket on Friday.</p>



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<p><strong><em>Disclaimer:</em></strong><em> This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.</em></p>



<p><em>Image via Shutterstock</em></p>