Intel’s stock has drawn fresh attention after reports suggested Apple is exploring a broader chip supply strategy that could include Intel and Samsung Electronics in the United States. The market reacted quickly, treating the possibility as a major sign that Apple wants to reduce its reliance on TSMC, its long-time core supplier.
That reaction pushed Intel to a new record high, with investors moving aggressively on the prospect that the company could play a larger role in Apple’s supply chain. Even without a final deal, the idea alone was enough to fuel a sharp rally and keep the stock among the market’s most closely watched names.
Apple’s search for additional chip capacity
Bloomberg reported that Apple’s discussions with Samsung and Intel are still at an early stage. The talks are aimed at broadening chip production and adding supply lines outside TSMC, which is based in Taiwan.
According to the report, Apple executives have also visited Samsung’s advanced chip facility under construction in Texas. Samsung is said to be a possible partner on the memory side, while Intel is being discussed for a larger role in processor manufacturing.
Bloomberg also said Apple has held exploratory talks with Intel about using the company’s chipmaking services in the US. Those discussions reportedly include the possibility of making core processors for Apple devices in Intel facilities.
Why Intel became the main market focus
The most closely watched part of the reported talks is Intel’s potential role as a foundry partner. In the scenario described by Bloomberg, Apple would use Intel’s foundry services to produce 3nm A-series chips for iPhone and M-series SoCs for MacBook.
That would move Intel beyond the role of a secondary supplier and place it inside Apple’s core chip production chain. Bloomberg said Apple and Intel have held “early-stage talks” about the chipmaking arrangement, which was enough to trigger a strong response from investors.
Creative Strategies CEO Ben Bajarin added to the optimism on X, saying Apple is “much farther along than just ‘discussions with Intel on foundry.’” His comment helped reinforce the view that the market was not reacting to a casual conversation, even though no official deal has been announced.
A rally that kept expanding
Intel’s share price briefly surged 13% on Tuesday before closing at $108.18, lifting its market value to $543.7 billion. The stock later touched $110.48 during the same session before ending the day at that close.
Momentum continued on Wednesday, when Intel rose another 4.46% and finished at $113.01. After hours, the stock eased slightly, but the broader trend still pointed to strong investor interest.
The scale of the move is even more striking when measured over a longer period. Intel’s stock is now up about 430% from a year ago, and about 174% in 2026 alone.
What the market is really signaling
The rally reflects more than short-term speculation. Apple is one of the most influential chip buyers in the industry, so any sign that Intel could join its supply chain is seen as a major validation of Intel’s foundry business.
For Apple, the reported outreach also fits a wider effort to strengthen chip production in the US. If the discussions progress, Intel and Samsung could give Apple additional options and reduce dependence on a single primary supplier.
For now, the key point is that the talks remain exploratory. Still, the market’s response shows how powerful the signal is when Apple is even rumored to be considering Intel as a chip partner in the US.
Source: www.notebookcheck.net