Intel stock just hit a fresh record after a report said Apple is quietly exploring new ways to make some of its most important chips in the United States. The news sparked a surge of investor optimism, helping push Intel shares up sharply as markets reacted to the possibility of a major new foundry customer.
On Tuesday, Intel shares jumped 13% to an all-time high. The rally followed a report stating Apple is in early discussions with both Intel and Samsung about producing key components domestically, a move that could reduce Apple’s dependence on its long-time manufacturing partner, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).
According to the report, Apple wants a stronger U.S. manufacturing footprint and a backup plan beyond TSMC for future generations of chips. Apple executives have reportedly toured Samsung’s newest advanced chip facility currently being built in Texas, highlighting how serious the company may be about expanding U.S.-based production capacity. While Samsung could potentially cover memory-related needs, the bigger question is where Intel could fit in—and that’s where investors see a potentially game-changing opportunity.
The discussions suggest Apple may be considering Intel’s U.S. foundry services to manufacture core processors used across Apple’s product lineup. That includes future A-series chips—such as 3nm-class processors used in iPhones and potentially other devices—as well as M-series system-on-chips that power Mac computers. Even the possibility of Apple tapping Intel Foundry for major Apple Silicon production was enough to ignite Wall Street enthusiasm.
Industry commentary also added fuel to the speculation, with at least one analyst suggesting Apple could be further along than the phrase “early discussions” implies. Regardless of how preliminary the talks are, the market clearly treated the report as a meaningful signal that Intel’s manufacturing ambitions could land one of the world’s most high-profile chip customers.
After the report, Intel shares climbed as high as $110.48 before closing at $108.18, valuing the company at about $543.7 billion. The move capped off an extraordinary run for Intel over the past year: the stock was trading near $18.96 a year earlier, meaning shares are up roughly 430% year over year. By May 2026, Intel was also up around 174% for the year. Momentum continued into Wednesday, with the stock rising another 4.46% to close at $113.01 before a slight dip in after-hours trading—an indication that investors are still watching for what comes next.
For Apple, shifting even a portion of A-series or M-series production to additional U.S. partners could offer supply chain flexibility, geopolitical risk reduction, and more leverage in long-term manufacturing negotiations. For Intel, the mere prospect of producing Apple Silicon in the U.S. reinforces its push to become a major contract chip manufacturer again—one capable of competing for the biggest names in consumer tech.
