Intel stock tumbles after brutal results

Intel shares continued to slide on Friday, falling as much as 10% after the company reported dismal quarterly and full-year results. The chipmaker's tepid quarterly numbers, with a 32% year-over-year revenue decline and a net loss of $664 million for the fourth quarter of 2022, took both analysts and investors by surprise.

Intel's troubles, which include a surfeit of chips and weakening demand for factories pressing on its margin, are unlikely to abate soon, with the company guiding to an adjusted net loss of 15 cents per share for the upcoming quarter. Analysts did not mince words, cutting price targets almost across the board.

"No words can portray or explain the historic collapse of Intel, with management attempting to blame a worst-ever PC inventory digestion dynamic and macro/China/enterprise to an over 20% q/q decline in sales," Rosenblatt analyst Hans Mosesmann wrote in a Thursday evening note. Rosenblatt maintained its sell rating for Intel and lowered its price target from $20 to $17.

Intel shares fell nearly 11% before the open Friday.

It's a significant test for Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, who took the top job at the 54-year-old chip company in 2021. Factors outside of Intel's control have contributed to both the inventory and production issues, with a slowing PC market pressuring Intel's margins and forcing retailers to "correct" their inventories, Gelsinger said in a call with analysts.

"While we know this dynamic will reverse, predicting when is difficult," the CEO told analysts. Intel's stock is down over 42% from its 52-week high.

CNBC's Michael Bloom, Jordan Novet, and Kif Leswing contributed to this report.