Intel wins multiple upgrades on SA after earnings-led selloff

Intel (INTC) fell more than 28% on Friday after its Q3 2026 results, as the semiconductor giant issued an underwhelming outlook for the current quarter, prompting multiple analysts to upgrade the stock on Seeking Alpha.

The selloff, Intel’s (INTC) biggest since the 1970s, is a key buying opportunity, argued SA analyst Mike Zaccardi based on a technical analysis. “INTC remains higher by 87% for 2026, and the current plunge appears as a key technical buying opportunity in my eyes,” wrote Zaccardi as he upgraded the stock to Buy from Sell.

Analyst Bohdan Kucheriavyi upgraded Intel (INTC), noting that the company’s earnings report “was quite decent” given its topline growth of ~21% and the earnings beat of $0.12 per share on an adjusted basis. “The issue, though, is that Q4 is expected to be a much weaker quarter in comparison to Q3," the analyst wrote as they upgraded the stock to Hold from Sell.

Analyst Kenio Fontes’ upgrade was based on the stock's improved margin of safety following the selloff. “Now I’m comfortable enough to upgrade Intel to a Hold. Yet, I’m not seeing enough margin of safety to be bullish about the stock,” Fontes added as he upgraded INTC to Hold from Sell.

The Asian Investor also issued a similar upgrade, arguing that Intel’s (INTC) valuation “has normalized” after the selloff, as the stock currently trades 50% lower than its year-ago level. “With Intel’s shares down ~50% from their 1-year high at ~$142, the valuation has returned closer to the chipmaker's historical average,” the analyst wrote.

However, Seeking Alpha Investing Group Leader Quad 7 Capital downgraded INTC to Sell from Hold, noting that the stock continues to trade at a level where “perfection is fully priced in, yet the forward picture is starting to show that high expectations are not being met.” “With full-year CapEx remaining heavy and Q4 earnings power decelerating rapidly, the stock's elevated premium looks increasingly unsustainable,” Quad 7 Capital argued.