Intel analyst says this is the ’best ever messaging’ from the new CEO, management

Investing.com -- Intel’s new CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, made his first major public appearance at Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) Vision 2025, delivering what Truist analysts called the most "constructive message" they have ever heard from the company.

While acknowledging that one speech alone does not justify an upgrade, Truist analysts noted that Tan’s focus on culture, customers, and engineering stood out. 

“Mr. Tan used the word ‘culture’ perhaps 20 or more times,” they wrote, describing his emphasis on a startup mindset and innovation-driven culture as a “breath of fresh air.”

Tan is also said to have addressed customer concerns head-on, acknowledging Intel’s past missteps. 

“He stressed that his focus is to solicit feedback from customers (who have graded Intel’s products as modestly D’s and F’s), to correct mistakes, and start to earn their trust back by under-promising and over-delivering,” Truist noted.

Another key theme of Tan’s keynote was rebuilding Intel’s engineering strength. “His priority is to recruit and retain the best engineers to empower growth and (again) create a culture of innovation empowerment,” analysts wrote.

Beyond these core themes, Tan reportedly outlined broader strategic initiatives, including spinning off non-core businesses, strengthening Intel’s balance sheet, and developing “purpose-built silicon” to better compete in AI. 

He also emphasized engagement with the Trump administration as Intel navigates geopolitical and industry challenges.

While other analysts, such as Bernstein, described the speech as "more of an apology than a keynote," Truist viewed it as a pivotal moment. “This fresh air is starting to feel nice… Now the air is starting to blow my hair around,” they wrote, signaling optimism about Intel’s new direction under Tan.

Meanwhile, Bernstein said that “the event was likely lighter on details than some might have hoped. 

“While Lip Bu gave some high-level views on his initial priorities and goals there were few specifics, no product/customer announcements, no foundry disclosures, and nothing really material around concrete actions they will be taking (frankly it sounded more like an apology than anything else),” said the firm. 

Elsewhere, Rosenblatt analysts said that following the speech, they “see customer service as fundamental to turning Intel around, particularly the Foundry business.”

“Another important change, in our view, is to reshape the approach to hardware design,” stated the firm.