Intel’s Outlook Misses as 21 of 22 Technology Firms Beat EPS

Twenty-one of 22 technology companies in this week’s earnings tally beat analyst estimates for earnings per share (EPS), while Intel’s fourth-quarter forecast missed expectations for revenue, adjusted EPS and gross margin.

Intel projected fourth-quarter revenue of $15 billion to $16 billion, adjusted EPS of $0.25 and a gross margin of 38%. All three forecasts were below estimates.

Microsoft reported $92.28 billion in revenue. Its cloud revenue and Azure growth exceeded estimates, as did its second-quarter revenue guidance of $96 billion to $97.1 billion.

Sandisk beat estimates for adjusted earnings and revenue. Its second-quarter earnings and sales guidance also topped expectations.

The information technology sector gained nearly 31% year to date. A separate communications-services earnings scorecard counted three EPS beats among four companies.