"The strongest Apple Inc. analyst on the surface claims that Intel Corporation (INTC.US) is expected to be the foundry for the M-series chips of Apple Inc. (AAPL.US). The former's stock price surged by over 10%"

Intel Corporation (INTC.US) stock price soared more than 10% on Friday. Prior to this, Guo Mingqi, an analyst at TF International Securities known as the "best Apple Inc. analyst on the planet", stated that Intel Corporation is likely to become an advanced process foundry supplier for some of Apple Inc.'s (AAPL.US) M-series processors, bringing important positive news to the chip giant. Guo Mingqi posted on social platform X that the latest investigations show a significant increase in the likelihood of Intel Corporation becoming an advanced process supplier for Apple Inc. Apple Inc. has already signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with Intel Corporation and obtained Intel Corporation's advanced process 18AP PDK 0.9.1GA (process design kit). Key analog and research and development projects are progressing as expected. Apple Inc. is waiting for Intel Corporation to launch PDK 1.0 / 1.1 as planned in the first quarter of 2026. If progress meets expectations, Apple Inc. plans to have Intel Corporation start foundry production of its lowest-end M-series processors using the 18AP process as early as the second to third quarter of 2027. However, the actual production time still depends on the development progress after the release of PDK 1.0 / 1.1. The lowest-end M-series chips are mainly used in MacBook Air and iPad Pro, with an estimated total shipment of about 20 million units this year. Guo Mingqi pointed out that the potential cooperation is strategically significant for both Apple Inc. and Intel Corporation. For Apple Inc., it will demonstrate strong support for the Trump administration's "Made in America" policy. For Intel Corporation, winning advanced process orders from Apple Inc. will have a significance that goes beyond direct revenue and profit contributions. "Although Intel Corporation may still struggle to compete with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Sponsored ADR in advanced process technology in the coming years, this development indicates that the toughest period for Intel Corporation's foundry business may be coming to an end," Guo Mingqi said. "Looking ahead, Intel Corporation's 14A and more advanced processes are expected to receive more orders from Apple Inc. and other top-tier companies, thus shifting Intel Corporation's long-term prospects towards a more positive direction."