Intel’s Server Processor Prices Buoyed by Cloud Computing Demand
Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) continued to deliver good performance in Q3 for its server processor business, which accounts for around 28% of its stock price by our analysis. The company saw 15% growth in server revenues compared to Q3 2010, [1] boosted by enterprise demand and increased Internet usage. Meanwhile AMD (NYSE:AMD) is still struggling with its Bulldozer chip launched for desktops earlier this month after not-so-encouraging reviews about the chip. Intel still leads the server market with a share of 90% and we expect the average price of an Intel server will remain at higher levels with growing demand for virtualization and cloud computing.
See our complete analysis for Intel’s stock.
Intel’s Server Growth Momentum to Continue
Despite fears of a weakening PC market, Intel has managed to surprise with its positive earnings quarter after quarter. It reported 15% growth in server revenues in Q3 driven by increased demand from enterprises and heightened Internet usage. We wrote earlier that companies are willing to spend on technology and equipment as they are sitting on excess cash and also in anticipation of potential economic headwind next year. (Read: Intel’s Server Business Lifted by Enterprise Demand & Greater Internet Use)
More companies are preferring virtualized servers today due to reduced costs of hardware, electricity and services. Server virtualization enables the running of multiple applications on a single server instead of on multiple servers. This requires multi-core processor servers that are more complex and expensive than regular single core processors. Hence we expect the average price of an Intel server to be at higher levels in the coming years.
NYSE Technologies recently launched the Capital Markets Community Platform, the financial services industry’s first cloud platform powered by Intel’s Xeon processor. The new platform will allow NYSE Technologies’ clients including banks and asset managers to create new products and services that will help decrease friction and costs in global trading. [2]
While we expect Intel’s server processor pricing will increase from remain constant at around $500 levels throughout our forecast period, Trefis members expect an increase from $518 in 2012 to $538 by the end of Trefis forecast period.
We currently have a Trefis price estimate of $29 for Intel’s stock, about 20% above the current market price.
Understand How a Company’s Products Impact its Stock Price at Trefis
Notes:- Intel’s Q3 2011 Earnings Transcript, Seeking Alpha, Oct 19 2011 [↩]
- Chip Shot: Intel® Xeon® Processors Power NYSE Technologies Community Cloud, Press Release, Oct 11, 2011 [↩]