Why Intel Stock Slipped on Monday

Key Points

• The chipmaker's stock fell as much as 5% on Monday.

• A major bank trimmed enthusiasm by reiterating a hold rating alongside a $30 price target.

• After a strong multiweek run on policy support and partner headlines, some cooling off looks normal.

• 10 stocks we like better than Intel ›

Shares of Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) fell as much as 5% on Monday and, as of this writing, were down only about 3.2%. There didn't appear to be any new company-specific announcement driving the move. Rather, the decline appears to be a breather after a sharp September rally.

Image source: Getty Images.

Where to invest $1,000 right now? Our analyst team just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks to buy right now. Continue »

Analyst caution meets a hot tape

One fresh input was a tempered analyst view for the stock: An analyst from Deutsche Bank reiterated a hold rating while setting a $30 price target (up from his previous target but still lower than where shares trade today). With the target below the current stock price, that stance can temper near-term enthusiasm and invite some profit-taking.

It comes on the heels of a powerful run fueled by policy support and high-profile partnership headlines (including a planned major investment by Nvidia) that raised hopes for an accelerated turnaround. After a burst like that, a giveback day like this is not unusual.

Valuation and the long view

Following the rally, shares no longer look cheap on near-term numbers. The stock's price-to-sales ratio is close to 3, up from about 1.8 a year ago. But if Intel performs a successful turnaround, shares aren't necessarily overvalued, either.

The longer-term case, therefore, still hinges on product road-map progress and the foundry strategy delivering competitive performance and better economics.

Still, with the stock up meaningfully in recent weeks, patience -- or at least a tighter margin of safety -- appears reasonable for investors weighing new positions.

Should you invest $1,000 in Intel right now?

Before you buy stock in Intel, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Intel wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $652,872!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,092,280!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 1,062% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 189% for the S&P 500. Don’t miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of September 29, 2025

Daniel Sparks and his clients have no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Intel and Nvidia. The Motley Fool recommends the following options: short November 2025 $21 puts on Intel. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.