Intel Executive Vice President Naga Chandrasekaran Sells $2.49 Million in Shares Amid Rally
Naga Chandrasekaran’s sale of 21,024 shares comes as Intel’s stock has surged 383% over the past year, though analysts maintain a cautious Hold rating with price targets significantly below current trading levels.
Naga Chandrasekaran, Intel’s Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Intel Foundry organization, has sold 21,024 shares of Intel Corporation (INTC) stock. The transaction, valued at approximately $2.49 million, was executed at a price of $118.28 per share. The sale reduced Chandrasekaran’s direct ownership stake by roughly 9.27%, leaving him with a remaining holding of 205,852 shares.
The insider sale occurred during a period of significant market optimism for the Santa Clara-headquartered chipmaker. Intel’s stock has surged approximately 383% over the past year and climbed 189.16% year-to-date in 2026. This rally follows a corporate turnaround focused on cost-cutting, progress in artificial intelligence, and growth in foundry services, despite the company reporting a GAAP net loss of $3.7 billion in fiscal 2026 Q1 due to one-time charges.
Intel’s recent fiscal 2026 first-quarter earnings report saw the company beat Wall Street expectations on revenue and earnings per share. The data centre division revenue jumped 22% year-on-year to $5.1 billion, while Intel Foundry Services revenue climbed 16% to $5.4 billion. These figures contributed to a non-GAAP revenue of $13.58 billion, up 7% from the prior year, and non-GAAP earnings of $0.29 per share, significantly exceeding analyst estimates.
Despite the strong operational metrics and the stock’s dramatic rise, Wall Street analysts maintain a consensus Hold rating. The average price target stands at $90.58, which is significantly below the current trading price of $118.28. Among the 44 analysts covering the stock, 31 maintain a Hold rating, while only nine rate it a Strong Buy. The most bullish target on Wall Street is $150, implying potential upside if the turnaround story continues.
The sale by Chandrasekaran comes as Intel continues to navigate a competitive landscape where rivals such as Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices have surged ahead in the AI boom. The company’s strategic importance was further highlighted last year when the U.S. federal government acquired nearly a 10% stake in Intel. The insider transaction serves as a notable data point for investors monitoring the sustainability of Intel’s recovery from its period of declining market share and suspended dividends in 2023–2024.
