Intel Had an Impressive Showing at CES 2026—Time to Buy?

On a somewhat surprising note, Intel (NASDAQ:INTC | INTC Price Prediction) really delivered at this year’s CES (Consumer Electronics Show), with a big chip unveiling that helped power the stock to a gain of more than 12% year to date. Indeed, we’ve only had a handful of trading sessions in 2026, but shares of Intel are certainly not wasting time powering back, adding to the big momentum the shares experienced in the back half of 2025. With the backing of the government as well as AI chip rival Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA), which invested a whopping $5 billion, it feels like there really is no stopping Intel’s glorious comeback.

Add the new CEO, the company’s aggressive restructuring efforts into the equation, and shares of Intel stand out as a great value buy for the new year. Whether it’s the more recent votes of confidence from analysts or the impressive slate of new AI chips to come, it’s hard to bet against Intel as it looks to break out to new 52-week highs en route to recovering the massive ground it had lost since peaking in 2021. While it’s difficult to tell how long the excitement from Intel’s CES showing will last, I do think the chip underdog has many upside drivers, many of which might still be underestimated by investors.

Intel pulls the curtain on new Panther Lake series chips at CES 2026

While Nvidia’s Vera Rubin AI chips were arguably the star of CES 2026, Intel’s Panther Lake AI PC chips also seemed to knock one out of the ballpark. Given the post-reveal reaction, one could argue that Intel’s CES delivered much more of a positive surprise.

Undoubtedly, nearly every Nvidia investor has been anticipating Vera Rubin. And the latest and greatest from the GPU juggernaut may have already been priced into the stock going into the year. Either way, the Intel Core Ultra Series 3, perhaps better known as Panther Lake, reveal was quite impressive in its own right, and may signal that the fallen chip darling is on its way back.

Of course, it’s hard to regain momentum in the semiconductor scene after a devastating fumble. But with enough financial backing and a game plan that may finally be coming to fruition, it seems like there’s no stopping Intel as its stock seeks to regain further ground in 2026. The Panther Lake chip is the first Intel offering to be built on the 18A process (1.8nm). It’s in production, and ordering is poised to go online shortly. Could 2026 be the year when AI PCs really start to take off? It’s definitely possible, especially as consumer-facing AI works its way towards the edge.

Undoubtedly, it’s been such a long time since audiences were this hyped about Intel. After all the endless delays and disappointments, it’s certainly a breath of fresh air to hear that Intel’s getting things back on track again. And with the 1.8nm process chip, it certainly feels like Intel is getting back to the cutting edge once again. Perhaps Nvidia and the U.S. government are poised to score a very decent return on their investment, after all.

It’s not just Panther Lake that should excite Intel investors

Intel’s CES 2026 showing deserves a solid “A” grade, and while its AI PC chips are intriguing, given the performance gains and the 18A process. That said, it’s not the only reason to pound the table on Intel stock on recent strength. The foundry business, which had cost Intel a great deal, might also be about to pay dividends.

Melius Research analyst Ben Reitzes wasted no time upgrading shares of Intel to Buy from Hold, alongside a nice price target hike to $50.00, which still entails a good amount of upside (close to 18%) from current levels. Notably, Reitzes thinks the foundry business can shine and deliver upside. He’s also a fan of the partnerships Intel has made, which should help it stand out as the foundry ball really starts to get rolling.

All considered, there’s a lot to like about the Intel story going into 2026. Whether it’s Panther Lake or the longer-term potential of the foundry business, the stock might have what it takes to follow up on a strong 2025 with more of the same.