Chip Shortage Throws Intel Beyond Expectations

The US semiconductor giant Intel achieved higher than expected sales in the first quarter thanks to the explosion in demand for these components, linked to the tenfold needs for consumer electronics in the era of the pandemic.

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The group achieved a turnover of 19.7 billion dollars from January to March, or 1% less than a year ago, according to its earnings release released Thursday.

said Pat Gelsinger, head of the company since February 15.

he added during the analysts' conference.

Several industrial sectors, such as automotive, face a shortage of microchips, as semiconductor manufacturers prioritize computers and other electronic devices, in high demand for a year for telecommuting or home entertainment .

The US government is therefore putting pressure on manufacturers in the United States to depend less on producers in Asia.

20 billion dollars invested

Intel recently unveiled plans to invest $ 20 billion in two new plants in Arizona and also boost production in the West. The group is one of the world leaders in semiconductors, but it has fallen behind in components for mobile phones, and Apple is now designing its own chips for its computers, to gradually dispense with those from Intel. Its net profit was $ 3.4 billion in the first quarter, down 41% year-on-year, on provision for a fine for patent infringement.

In early March, Intel was ordered in the United States to pay nearly $ 2.2 billion for infringing VLSI Technology's patents on chip manufacturing technologies. The company plans to appeal. The title of Intel lost 2.65% in electronic exchanges after the close of the Stock Exchange in New York. The group expects $ 18.9 billion in sales for the current quarter.