Intel's stock price surged by 9% on February 18th, 2025, driven by speculation of potential acquisition deals with major semiconductor companies.

At 11:48 AM Eastern Time, Intel's shares were trading at $25.75, a significant jump from the previous trading day. The stock price even reached a peak of $26.24 during the day, marking the highest increase in over a year. This surge has also pushed Intel's year-to-date growth to approximately 30%, a substantial rise from $20.05 at the end of last year.

The sudden spike in Intel's stock price is attributed to reports that TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) and Broadcom are considering acquiring certain parts of Intel's business.

According to Bloomberg, TSMC is exploring the possibility of taking over and operating some of Intel's factories, potentially in response to requests from the previous US administration. Additionally, reports from Taiwanese media suggest that TSMC might acquire a 20% stake in Intel's foundry services division.

Furthermore, the Wall Street Journal reported that Broadcom is interested in acquiring Intel's chip design and marketing division, and has been in discussions with advisors regarding a potential bid.

While both TSMC and Broadcom are reportedly considering separate deals with Intel, it's important to note that these discussions are still in the early stages and are informal.

Analysts at Wall Street have expressed positive views on the potential division of Intel's business. Raymond James analysts stated that separating Intel's products and foundry business is key to creating value.

Intel, once a dominant force in the semiconductor industry, has faced challenges in recent years due to declining performance. The company recently underwent restructuring efforts led by former CEO Pat Gelsinger, who stepped down at the end of last year. Intel is currently in the process of finding a new CEO to lead the company forward.