BNP Paribas raises Intel stock price target ahead of earnings, betting on AI server demand recovery

BNP Paribas, a major investment bank, increased its price target for Intel stock in anticipation of the chipmaker's upcoming earnings report. The move signals analyst confidence that Intel's data center business—which supplies chips for AI servers—is stabilizing after recent weakness.

Intel's AI server chips compete directly with NVIDIA's offerings. Investors are watching whether Intel can win back market share in the lucrative AI infrastructure market, where demand for training and running large language models (AI systems that understand and generate text) is driving server purchases.

For business professionals and investors: A stronger Intel outlook could mean more competition in the chip market, potentially lowering prices or spurring innovation in AI infrastructure. For Intel employees and suppliers, it signals the company is positioning itself as a credible alternative to NVIDIA in a market expected to grow significantly over the next few years.