Overview
- Intel shares rose roughly 8%–9% Tuesday after TF International’s Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple could tap Intel to build lower-end M-series chips as early as the second quarter of 2027.
- Ming-Chi Kuo described a potential focus on MacBook Air and iPad Pro processors built on Intel’s 18A-P process as a test of Intel’s foundry capabilities.
- Reporting indicated Apple signed a non-disclosure agreement to evaluate Intel’s 18A technology and early design kits, with key process-design-kit validation milestones expected in early 2026.
- Neither Intel nor Apple has confirmed any manufacturing agreement, and Kuo cautioned initial volumes would be very small with no material impact on Apple’s primary supplier, TSMC.
- Separately, Intel confirmed over $200 million in new investment to expand assembly and testing in Malaysia, where its Penang facility is about 99% complete and the country handles roughly 13% of global packaging work.