Intel Did Much Worse Than Super Micro Computer But Both Got Punished

Intel Did Much Worse Than Super Micro Computer But Both Got Punished Alex Sirois Wed, August 12, 2026 at 4:36 PM GMT+2 4 min read INTC SMCI Quick Read Intel (INTC) posted its strongest revenue growth in 15 years and Supermicro (SMCI) nearly doubled revenue, yet both stocks fell hard after earnings. Intel diluted existing shareholders by roughly one-fifth through a $15 billion stock offering, while Supermicro kept common equity dilution under 3% using debt. Intel's Foundry still bleeds $2.

1 billion in operating losses and Supermicro carries an unresolved export-control review, making both difficult to underwrite now. It sounds nuts, but SoFi1 is giving new Active Invest users up to $3,000 in stock for a limited time, and all it takes is a $50 deposit to get started. 2 See for yourself (Sponsor) Intel ( NASDAQ: INTC ) and Super Micro Computer ( NASDAQ: SMCI ) both delivered AI-fueled quarters and both got sold.

Intel posted 25. 42% revenue growth, its strongest in 15 years, then dropped 11. 04% the next day.

Supermicro grew 93. 16% and still missed revenue by $443. 2M.

Shutterstock Where the Quarters Actually Landed Intel's engine was Data Center and AI, which produced $6. 26 billion at 59% YoY growth. Client Computing added $8.

88 billion, and Foundry pulled in $5. 77 billion while still bleeding $2. 1 billion in operating losses.

CEO Lip-Bu Tan called it a quarter driven by "greater speed, accountability, and customer focus. " Investors focused on the $11. 03 billion GAAP net loss tied to a CHIPS Act escrow charge.

Supermicro's story was about margin expansion. Gross margin expanded to 17. 5% from 9.

5% a year earlier, operating income jumped 551. 54%, and CEO Charles Liang cited "more than $60 billion in new orders" and record backlog. The catch: full-year operating cash flow was negative $6.

8 billion from a working capital build. One Diluted Shareholders. The Other Leaned on Debt.

The businesses diverge sharply on capital structure. Intel's foundry buildout forced a massive common equity raise straight into the market at pressured prices, diluting existing shareholders by roughly one-fifth. Reddit picked up on it quickly, with the $15 billion common stock offering announcement flipping sentiment to bearish overnight.

Supermicro, in contrast, financed its balance sheet primarily through debt and convertibles, keeping common equity dilution under 3%. SoFi Active Invest is offering a limited-time promotion. Open an account, fund it with $50 or more, and you could receive up to $3,000 in complimentary stock for Active Invest accounts.

See for yourself by clicking here now. (Sponsor) Lens Intel Supermicro Core Bet Vertical foundry plus Xeon 6 DCBBS modular AI racks Financing Lever Common equity issuance Debt and convertibles Key Vulnerability $2. 1B Foundry losses Export-control review Story Continues Insider action added noise.

Intel's CFO sold 18,353 shares at $109. 82 in June before the slide. Supermicro's CEO and a 10% owner each disposed of 340,000 shares on May 26.

The Next Test Is Whether Guidance Holds Intel guided Q3 revenue to $15. 8B to $16. 8B with non-GAAP gross margin near 42%.

I will watch whether 18A ramps cleanly and whether Panther Lake actually shows up in client mix. Supermicro guided FY2027 revenue to $65B to $72B. Worth tracking: whether the enterprise mix keeps pushing margins up, and whether Blackwell Ultra shipments concentrate risk again.

Why I Would Rather Wait on Both I am not eager to chase either. Intel's operational turn is real, but issuing common equity at depressed prices to fund a Foundry still losing billions makes me want to see one more quarter of margin proof. Supermicro's 30.

09% one-year decline and unresolved export-control review are hard to underwrite. Investors seeking scale plus government backing may find Intel's setup more compelling; those focused on an AI hardware turnaround with real backlog may lean toward Supermicro. I would rather wait until the dilution stops and the review closes.

Want Up To $3,000 In Stock? SoFi Is Giving New Active Invest Users Complimentary Stock Looking to grow your money but unsure where to begin? SoFi Active Invest is offering a limited-time promotion—open a new Active Invest account, fund it with $50 or more, and you could receive up to $3,000 in complimentary stock .

From $0 commission trading3 to fractional shares4 and automated investing, this app is designed to simplify investing for everyone, whether you're just starting or already experienced. Its easy to sign up and secure your bonus. (Sponsor) Contact editorial@247wallst.

com for any questions or corrections.