Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger recently spoke at the Deutsche Bank’s technology conference in Dana Point, California, acknowledging the challenges the company has faced in recent weeks. Following a disastrous earnings report, Intel’s stock price plummeted by 26%, marking the worst day on Wall Street for the chipmaker in over 50 years. Share prices have seen a 59% decrease this year, trading near their lowest levels in more than a decade. The company has been grappling with significant pressure as it invests billions in building out its chip fabrication business while losing market share in its core PC and data center sectors, and struggling to make progress in artificial intelligence.
Gelsinger noted that Intel continues to grapple with AI-driven weakness in its server business, which has contributed to the company’s recent struggles. Despite these challenges, he expressed optimism for the future, mentioning the upcoming launch of Lunar Lake, which he touted as “the most compelling AI PC product ever.” This announcement has sparked some positivity among investors, leading to a 4% increase in Intel’s stock price. Additionally, Intel has enlisted the help of advisors, including Morgan Stanley, to navigate activist investor scrutiny and address concerns raised by shareholders following the recent stock plunge.
In response to its poor financial performance, Intel announced layoffs of 15,000 employees earlier this month and signaled possible cuts in its portfolio. Gelsinger expressed confidence in these restructuring efforts, stating that they are essential for the company’s future success. He also mentioned positive feedback from external foundry customers in the pipeline, indicating a potential turnaround for Intel. Despite reporting a net loss of $1.61 billion in the latest quarter, compared to net income of $1.48 billion in the same period last year, Gelsinger remains hopeful that these initiatives will ultimately pay off for the company.
Overall, Intel’s recent struggles underscore the challenges faced by the company as it seeks to regain investor confidence and navigate a rapidly evolving technology landscape. Gelsinger’s commitment to addressing shareholder concerns and steering Intel towards a more prosperous future will be critical in determining the company’s success in the months ahead.