Intel shares up 178% in 2026, bucking a broader semiconductor rout

Bloomberg reported July 23 that Intel shares had gained 178% year-to-date as of mid-2026, nearly tripling in under seven months. The rally places Intel among the best-performing large-cap names globally even as the broader semiconductor complex came under pressure from AI capital expenditure anxiety. The magnitude suggests company-specific catalysts rather than sector-wide tailwinds, though the verified data does not identify a driver.