US Markets
Home›US Markets›Equities›Jim Cramer calls Intel his top stock as chip spending…
Jim Cramer calls Intel his top stock as chip spending accelerates
Intel is benefiting from rising demand for advanced lithography, a trend highlighted by ASML's guidance raise for 2026.
Yahoo Finance reports that Jim Cramer named Intel his No. 1 stock on CNBC's "Mad Money," arguing the company is finally catching up after years on the sidelines during the AI boom.
The outlet links Intel's outlook to ASML Holdings, which supplies lithography machines used by semiconductor makers to print circuit patterns. Intel both designs processors and manufactures many chips in its own fabrication plants, unlike rivals that outsource more production to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.
According to Yahoo Finance, ASML said demand for advanced chipmaking is accelerating. The management attributed the push to AI-led investment, including customers investing in 3nm production for current AI accelerators, ramping 2nm technology, and early work toward 1.4nm nodes, which is driving higher-than-expected demand for advanced lithography systems.
Yahoo Finance also points to ASML increasing its full-year 2026 guidance to between 43 billion euros and 45 billion euros, and notes Intel shares have surged 165% year to date, compared with the market's 8.7% gain.