Overview

• Current yields of Panther Lake chips on 18A range between 5% and 10%, far below the over-50% threshold Intel historically requires for profitable volume production
• High defect rates—approximately three times above acceptable standards—threaten to force sales at reduced margins or even losses if throughput does not improve
• CFO David Zinsner disputed reports of single-digit yields and said profit margins will remain pressured until output quality rises
• CEO Lip-Bu Tan has tapped supply-chain partners and shared detailed test data to intensify efforts to boost 18A yield performance
• Intel has warned it may exit leading-edge manufacturing entirely if it cannot secure external customers for its next-generation 14A process