Intel (INTC 7.00%) jumped 6.97% on Tuesday to close at $25.31, up $1.65. Trading volume soared to 293 million shares, nearly triple its 3-month average of 94 million. The rally followed headlines that SoftBank (SOBK.Y -0.60%) plans to acquire a $2 billion stake in the embattled chipmaker, purchasing shares at $23 apiece -- amounting to roughly 2% of the company.
The broader market ended the day lower. The S&P 500 slid by 0.6%, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped by 1.5%.
Peer chipmakers saw mixed results. Nvidia (NVDA -3.47%) fell 3.5% to $175.64, while Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM -3.60%) declined 3.6%, closing at $232.70.
Intel's breakout comes amid a flurry of headlines in recent weeks that have helped boost investor confidence (while also creating new concerns). Combined with SoftBank's backing and renewed political momentum behind CEO Lip-Bu Tan, investors appear increasingly hopeful that Intel is regaining its footing in the global chip race.
Market data sourced from Google Finance and Yahoo! Finance on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025.
