Intel’s latest earnings report triggered a sharp sell‑off in its stock and related leveraged ETFs after the company delivered mixed results. While Intel beat fourth‑quarter revenue and earnings expectations, its guidance for the first quarter fell short of forecasts, cooling the enthusiasm that had built up around the chipmaker heading into earnings season.
The Direxion Daily INTC Bull 2X ETF (LINT), popular with traders seeking amplified exposure to Intel’s stock, plunged more than 30% as shares slid roughly 14% at market open. Leveraged ETFs like LINT reflect short‑term sentiment and can magnify losses when expectations shift quickly.
Despite the sell‑off, some traders see this pullback as a potential buying opportunity, especially for those who believe Intel’s long‑term growth story remains intact. The reaction also spread to broader semiconductor ETFs, with both bullish and bearish leveraged products showing significant flows as investors reassess positioning post‑earnings.