Intel plans $15 billion stock offering as AI demand accelerates

Intel announced a $15 billion common stock offering on Monday to support skyrocketing customer demand for artificial intelligence computing power.

The chipmaker highlighted physical AI, purpose-built silicon and advance packaging among the major growth opportunities and said it will use the funding to support corporate needs, including capital expenditures and working capital,

Technology giants have shelled out trillions in recent years to meet insatiable AI demand and the unrelenting infrastructure build-out to support new compute capacity.

Several mega-cap tech companies boosted their capital expenditures on AI demand this earnings season, with spending on track to hit $765 billion this year and $1.2 trillion in 2027, according to estimates from Goldman Sachs. Amazon gave the highest guidance among the group this reporting period, citing the memory crunch.

Last month, Intel posted its fastest revenue growth in nearly 15 years and hiked capital expenditures guidance to $20 billion, citing strong customer demand.

At the time, finance chief David Zinsner said most of the spending would support factory tooling. He told CNBC that the company is bracing for a "meaningful increase" in 2027.

Intel shares have benefited over the last year from the AI infrastructure build-out and the U.S. government's 10% equity stake aimed at bolstering domestic chip manufacturing. The stock has surged 175% in 2026 and quintupled in value over the last year.

The Intel announcement includes a 30-day option that would allow underwriters to buy an additional $2.25 billion in common stock.