Breakfast News: Intel Secures Support

Breakfast News: Intel Secures Support

August 19, 2025

Source: Image Created by Jester AI.

1. INTC Rises on Investment Stakes

Intel (INTC 6.79%) jumped almost 6% ahead of the market opening thanks to Softbank announcing a $2 billion investment in the chipmaker, with news of the Trump administration considering taking a 10% stake also contributing to recent gains.

• "Masa and I have worked closely together for decades, and I appreciate the confidence he has placed in Intel with this investment": CEO Lip-Bu Tan referred to SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son, with the vote of support meaning SoftBank will become the fifth largest shareholder, equating to 2% of Intel.
• Government equity could reinvigorate business: The federal government is considering converting some of the company's grants from the US Chips and Science Act into stock, with the $10.9 billion figure turning into a stake of around 10%.

2. Palo Alto Jumps 5% on Earnings Beat

Rule Breakers recommendation Palo Alto (PANW +0.91%) rose over 5% in pre-market trading following outperformance on both quarterly revenue and earnings, thanks to momentum in Next Generation Security and growing AI product integration.

• "Customers understand that a fragmented defense is no defense at all against modern threats": CEO Nikesh Arora noted a fundamental market shift in clients protecting themselves, with a 70% year-over-year increase in platformization deals, in which customers implement multiple Palo Alto platforms as integrated solutions.
• "This has been an incredible journey, and I leave with deep satisfaction": Nir Zuk, the founder and current CTO, announced his retirement, two decades after starting the business. He will be replaced by Chief Product Officer Lee Klarich.

3. Next Up: Dividend Investor Recs Report

Home Depot (HD 0.30%) reported ahead of the opening bell, with comparable store sales rising less than expected, disappointing investors who had looked for signs of growth following flat store sales from last quarter. The stock fell around 1.4% in response.

• "We are seeing larger projects remain on hold as rates remain elevated and economic uncertainty persists": CFO Richard McPhail confirmed clients are stalling on bigger planned works, although price levels haven't increased significantly yet as most imported goods arrived before the new tariffs.
• Currently ranked #9 in DI for outsized dividend growth: Medtronic (MDT +3.13%) is also due to release quarterly earnings before the market opens, with a focus on organic revenue growth, particularly from high-margin and high-innovation areas like cardiac ablation.

4. Vanguard Joins Active ETF Rush

Vanguard is planning to launch several active stock-picking ETFs, including ones focused on dividend and growth stocks, as it tries to capture growing demand for proactive investment management.

• 86% of ETF launches this year are actively managed strategies: Morningstar Direct reports 630 new ETFs so far in 2025, up from 381 for the same period last year. Active ETFs now account for 37% of total U.S. ETF inflows.
• "These are proven strategies": Jeff DeMaso, editor at the Independent Vanguard Advisor, expects the new funds to attract a steady stream of assets, with interest in the tax-efficient and lower-cost wrapper of the ETFs.

5. Buy, Sell, Hold

Roblox (RBLX +0.68%), Palantir (PLTR 0.65%), and Celsius (CELH 3.23%) have each more than doubled so far in 2025, gaining 107%, 130%, and 132% respectively.

If your portfolio comprised just these three companies, and you bought each of them at the start of the year with the same amount of money, and had to buy more shares in one, completely close your position in another, and hold the final stock, what are you choosing to do and why? Debate with friends and family, or become a member to hear what your fellow Fools are saying.