Intel: 2026 will be a key inflection point for the company's manufacturing technology.

Intel CFO Dave Sinsa stated at the Citi 2025 Global TMT Conference that the company's manufacturing technology in 2026 will be crucial, as it will show whether the company is ready to advance to more advanced process technology. Sinsa said that by then, the company will be able to determine whether to approve the process technology called 14A. Achieving this milestone has long been seen as a key step in Intel's transformation plan. "By sometime in 2026, we will have a clearer idea of the progress," Sinsa said. Sinsa reiterated that Intel will only build a 14A production line after obtaining commitments from external customers to use it, stating that this position is in line with financial common sense. However, when CEO Liwu Chen first outlined this strategy in July, it raised concerns among analysts and investors. Not advancing with 14A could mean that Intel is giving up on its efforts to regain its technological leadership position.