Intel Stock (NYSE: INTC)
Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) is the world's leader in semiconductor production. Intel stock provides investors one of the best positioned companies in the technology sector. Located in California, Intel stock has returned nearly 5000% profit to investors of its original initial public offering. Its main competition, Advanced Micro Devices (NYSE: AMD), suffered mightily in 2007, offering Intel additional opportunities to gain market share and improve on its industry lead. Other competitors include Micron Technology (NYSE: MU) and International Business Machines (NYSE: IBM). Intel is the world's largest semiconductor chip maker and is known for its dominance in the personal computer realm. Many people see Intel stock as the IBM of the future, but IBM has made a strong case that its stock is the one racing forward.
The company holds a strong financial position, including a S&P credit rating of A+ in early 2008 the stock offers a 2-2.5% dividend and carried an 18.2% net profit margin. The company's growth rate and PEG ratio remain stand-outs within the Semiconductor and Technology groups. Intel stock PE peaked in 2006-2007 was hit in the summer of 2007 at around 32. From mid-2007 too mid-2008 Intel stock posted an earnings surprise three times in a row, after 5 consecutive earnings misses in 2006-2007 prior.