Intel Soars as Chipmaker Eyes Foundry Divestment

Major U.S. equities indexes moved higher on Friday as the latest Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) data showed cool inflation in July, which was in line with expectations. The latest signal of moderating price pressure supports the likelihood of an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve next month.

The S&P 500 jumped 1.0% on the final trading day of August. The Dow added 0.6%, ending the month with its first-ever close above 41,500. The Nasdaq was up 1.1%.

Intel (INTC) shares notched the best performance in the S&P 500, soaring 9.5% following reports that the chipmaker is considering a possible spinoff or sale of its foundry business. According to Bloomberg, people familiar with the matter said Intel is exploring multiple options for the section of the company that makes semiconductors for other firms. However, it may take time for Intel to make a move, with board members likely to discuss the possibilities at their meeting in September.

Shares of GE Vernova (GEV), the energy-focused business that spun off from General Electric in April, jumped 4.8% to an all-time high. Brokerage firm William Blair initiated coverage of the stock on Thursday with an “outperform” rating. According to analysts, the high demand for energy to power artificial intelligence (AI) technology will likely require more natural gas and natural gas turbines. GE Vernova is well-positioned to benefit from turbine service contracts.

Western Digital (WDC) shares were up 4.1% on the day. Earlier this week, analysts at Citi boosted their sales estimates for solid-state drives, predicting favorable supply-and-demand dynamics. Western Digital also received approval this week for a project to expand hard disk production in Thailand.

Shares of networking and IT services provider Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) gained 3.7% ahead of the company’s upcoming earnings report, which is set for release on Wednesday afternoon. Following HPE’s most recent quarterly report in June, the stock surged to a record high, boosted by strong sales of AI-optimized servers.

Ulta Beauty (ULTA) shares dropped 4.0%, losing the most ground of any S&P 500 stock after the cosmetics retailer’s quarterly sales and profits came in below estimates. Ulta reported an unexpected decline in comparable store sales amid restrained discretionary spending and heightened competition. The makeup seller also reduced its full-year forecasts, noting market share challenges.

Shares of oil and gas exploration firm APA Corp. (APA) sank 2.9% on Friday. Although APA beat quarterly sales and profit estimates in its most recent report, released at the end of July, the stock plunged following those results and has been trending downward since then. Last quarter’s strong performance reflected increased production following the acquisition of Callon Petroleum, which closed on April 1, and APA boosted its forecast for cost synergies while noting it was ahead of schedule with the integration.

Super Micro Computer (SMCI) shares dropped 2.5%, extending steep losses posted earlier this week after the server and data storage firm said it would postpone its annual filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Supermicro’s move to delay its 10-K came a day after a report by activist investment firm Hindenburg Research flagged irregularities in the company’s accounting practices, particularly relating to revenue recognition processes.