Intel posts strong Q3 results but warns of weaker Q4 revenue, sending shares tumbling

Intel reported fiscal Q3 2026 revenue of $16.513 billion, up 20.95% year‑over‑year, and non‑GAAP earnings per share of $0.52, driven by a 78% jump in data‑center and AI sales. The company forecast fiscal Q4 revenue of $15 billion to $16 billion, citing a $300 million hit from an incident at Fab 28 and a projected >20% decline in PC‑chip sales. The guidance fell short of analysts’ expectations, and the stock fell roughly 30% in the two days after the release.

The lower‑than‑expected Q4 outlook trims near‑term revenue growth and has already triggered a sharp decline in Intel’s share price, increasing short‑term volatility for traders. Investors will need to reassess earnings expectations for the remainder of 2026 and watch for further impacts from the Fab 28 incident and the PC market slowdown.

  • 1Fiscal Q3 2026 revenue was $16.513 billion, up 20.95% year‑over‑year.
  • 2Non‑GAAP EPS for Q3 was $0.52, beating the consensus of $0.3953.
  • 3Data‑center and AI revenue reached $7.318 billion, up 78% versus the prior year.
  • 4Fiscal Q4 2026 revenue guidance is $15 billion to $16 billion.
  • 5The Q4 guidance includes an estimated $300 million revenue reduction from the Fab 28 incident.
  • 6Management expects PC‑chip sales to fall more than 20% sequentially in Q4.

Sources