Overview

• SoftBank will buy newly issued Intel shares for $23 each in a $2 billion deal equal to just under a 2% stake, making it a top-10 holder, and Reuters reported it is not taking a board seat.
• Intel shares rose more than 5% in after-hours trading following the announcement, after slipping earlier on reports of potential U.S. government equity talks.
• Bloomberg reported Washington is discussing converting up to $10.9 billion in CHIPS Act grants into roughly a 10% equity stake; Reuters said it could not verify the claim and Intel and the White House did not comment.
• Analysts say a U.S. government stake could steer big U.S. tech orders toward Intel and disadvantage rival foundries such as TSMC and Samsung.
• Intel’s foundry business remains loss-making and its Ohio fab build has been pushed into the 2030s, highlighting the company’s funding needs as it seeks to regain relevance in AI and advanced manufacturing.