Chipmaker Intel raises outlook on stronger PC demand

Chipmaker Intel raised its outlook for the second quarter and the full year, citing stronger-than-expected demand for personal computers used by businesses.

Shares of Intel jumped more than 4 per cent in extended trade as the chipmaker’s improved forecast lifted hopes for a PC industry that been shrinking due to consumers’ preferences for tablets and smartphones.

Intel said it now expects second-quarter revenue of $13.7 billion, plus or minus $300 million. Intel had previously forecast revenue of $13 billion, plus or minus $500 million.

The chipmaker said it expects “some” revenue growth for the full year, compared with its previous forecast of flat revenue.

The Santa Clara, California company also raised the mid-point of its gross margin forecast range for the second quarter, which ends at the end of June, by 1 point to 64 per cent.

With personal computer shipments falling for eight straight quarters through March, some analysts have suggested the industry’s decline is close to hitting bottom, potentially giving Intel breathing room as it struggles to develop better processors for mobile and wearable devices.

Demand from companies for PCs likely received a boost recently due to Microsoft’s winding down of support in April for its Windows XP operating system, analysts say.

Intel's revised revenue and gross margin forecasts for the June quarter could translate to earnings per share of 52 cents, RBC analyst Doug Freedman said in a note to clients.

For the second quarter, analysts on average had expected EPS of 47 cents and revenue of $13.02 billion, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Intel is expected to report its second-quarter results on July 15th.

Shares of Intel jumped 4.97 per cent in extended trade after closing up 0.11 per cent at $27.96 on the Nasdaq.

Reuters