Intel shares jumped 9% on Tuesday as a series of positive developments strengthened the case for the chipmaker’s turnaround. The stock now trades well above the $95 price of its recent equity offering and the level where CEO Lip-Bu Tan bought shares . Reports of higher CPU prices and progress at Intel Foundry are helping fuel the rally, while President Donald Trump’s comments over the weekend eased some overhang concerns of the U.S. government selling its large stake. Jim Cramer called Intel one of the “top six of the stocks I want you to buy” during Tuesday’s ” Morning Meeting. ” “Even here, I’m not going to deviate.” DigiTimes reported Tuesday that Intel is preparing to raise CPU prices in October, a reassuring sign of pricing power. CPUs, or central processing units, are in demand to run increasingly complex AI servers. We’re also encouraged by the latest manufacturing update from Intel Foundry and semiconductor equipment maker ASML . The companies said Intel is already using next-generation high numerical aperture extreme ultraviolet (High NA EUV) lithography in high-volume manufacturing, with more than 1 million wafers processed to date. The technology allows chipmakers to print smaller and more complex features onto silicon. Intel said High NA is meeting its expectations and performing well on its 18A process, another positive sign as the company advances toward the more sophisticated 14A process, where the technology is expected to play an important role. Jim said President Donald Trump’s latest posts on Truth Social signal the administration may be less inclined to sell its 10% stake in Intel . Restrictions preventing the government from selling the shares expired Aug. 26, raising concerns that a sale could put pressure on the stock. Over the weekend, however, Trump touted gains in U.S. government holdings, which Jim interpreted as a sign that a near-term sale may be less likely. “I think it’s even more exciting, frankly, because right now I have a better feel that the president might not dump the stock,” Jim said. Shares of Intel peaked around $140 on June 22 before steadily declining as the broader semiconductor trade came under pressure from forced selling tied to the unwind of AI-focused fund Situational Awareness . We initiated our position at roughly $114 on June 3 and continued buying as shares fell , using the pullback to build our stake. “My first buy was premature,” Jim said. But we remain bullish on Intel, with a buy-equivalent 1 rating and a $140 price target. (Jim Cramer’s Charitable Trust is long INTC. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust’s portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
