Intel released its second-quarter financial results on Thursday (23), surpassing market projections and achieving the highest quarterly revenue growth rate since 2011. This positive performance was significantly driven by the growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, which boosted sales of server processors.
The company reported an adjusted earnings per share of $0.42 (equivalent to R$ 2.14), exceeding the estimate of $0.21 (R$ 1.07) set by the LSEG consensus. Total revenue reached $16.1 billion (R$ 82.1 billion), surpassing analyst forecasts, which expected $14.4 billion (R$ 73.5 billion). Furthermore, the company presented optimistic outlooks for the current quarter, forecasting an adjusted earnings per share of $0.38 (R$ 1.94) and projected revenue between $15.8 billion and $16.8 billion (R$ 80.6 billion/R$ 85.6 billion).
Intel attributed the 25% revenue growth—the largest recorded in any quarter since the third quarter of 2011—to the advancement of AI, which intensifies the need for computational capacity, primarily benefiting server processor sales. In a statement, CEO Lip-Bu Tan emphasized the impact of AI on business expansion, stating that the technology is generating unprecedented demand for computing power and that Intel is well-positioned to achieve sustainable growth in its processor line.
The company has begun negotiating long-term contracts with customers for its server processors. These agreements may include pre-defined prices or be structured focusing on chip volume. Intel has already formalized ten such contracts. CFO David Zinsner mentioned that the company faces supply constraints, as data centers are requesting more processors than current production capacity allows. Such contracts have become more frequent, especially in the memory sector, serving as a mechanism to maintain high prices and market power should AI demand decrease in the future.
The client computing unit, responsible for personal computer processors, remains Intel's largest division, recording 13% revenue growth in the second quarter, totaling $8.9 billion (R$ 45.4 billion). However, the data center segment showed the fastest growth, advancing 59% compared to the same period last year, reaching $6.3 billion (R$ 32.1 billion). The company forecasts stability in PC sales in the third quarter due to memory shortages.
Additionally, Intel plans to substantially increase its capital investments next year, aiming to accelerate its transition to a semiconductor foundry for third parties. David Zinsner commented that the company's latest manufacturing process, named 14A, is more advanced than previous technologies at equivalent stages. The foundry unit generated $5.8 billion (R$ 29.6 billion) in revenue this quarter, representing a 31% year-over-year increase. Although most of the foundry's production is destined for Intel's own processors, Fortinet was announced as the first public customer of this unit since Lip-Bu Tan took the helm, although it uses an older manufacturing technology.
A notable indicator of improvement was Intel's gross margin, which rose to 42% in the second quarter, compared to just 2.5% in the same period last year. The company explained that this recovery was facilitated both by economies of scale resulting from increased revenue and by selling chips at higher prices and superior margins.
If you are looking for an investment program capable of doubling your funds, a government scheme managed by the Post Office could be an excellent option. This refers to the Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) scheme, which can achieve this result in just 115 months, with the government providing significant interest rates.
Investments in the Post Office KVP scheme are completely safe because the government itself guarantees the protection of all investments, regardless of their size. Thus, this scheme is considered a Zero Risk Scheme, allowing investors to place funds with confidence for the purpose of doubling them.
The Kisan Vikas Patra scheme is known as a Money Double Scheme, and it provides for a high interest rate set by the government, amounting to 7.5% per annum. The maturity period for this program is 115 months, which is equivalent to doubling the funds in 9 years and 7 months.
Another feature of the government programs offered by the Post Office is the ability to start saving even with small amounts. Specifically, for the Kisan Vikas Patra scheme, an account can be opened starting with a minimum deposit of 1000 rupees. Furthermore, there is a limit on the maximum investment amount, meaning any sum can be invested.
Calculating how 10 lakh rupees turn into 20 lakh rupees is quite simple. By investing 10 lakh rupees in the Post Office Kisan Vikas Patra Scheme at an annual rate of 7.5%, the amount after one year will be 10.75 lakh rupees. By the end of the second year, considering 7.5% interest, the amount will increase to 11,55,625 rupees. Subsequently, with the addition of interest in the following years, the amount will grow until it reaches double its value, i.e., 20 lakh rupees, after 9 years and 7 months.
The United States has imposed a 10% tariff on goods imported from India and 16 other countries as part of efforts to combat the use of forced labor in the production of such goods.
Last month, when the US proposed tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act, India was included in the group of countries subject to a 12.5% duty. However, Washington took into account an amendment made by New Delhi to its foreign trade policy, which prohibits the import of goods produced using forced labor.
In a memorandum on the matter, US President Donald Trump stated on Thursday: 'As a result of these actions, the Trade Representative advised me that goods from these economies should be subject to a 10 percent tariff to further incentivize these economies to effectively ensure compliance with such prohibitions.'
US Trade Representative Jamieson Green announced the imposition of new tariffs on 60 countries under Section 301 of the Trade Act on Thursday, one day before the expiration of additional 10% duties for all countries.
Countries without laws prohibiting goods produced using forced labor, such as China, the UK, and Japan, will face 12.5% tariffs. Of the 60 countries subject to tariffs, the 10% rate applies to 17 countries, including India, Canada, the UK, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The remaining 43 countries must pay 12.5%.
The USTR statement clarified that Green took final action under the direction of President Donald Trump in accordance with Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, imposing tariffs on 60 economies due to their inability to adopt and effectively enforce a ban on the import of goods produced with forced labor.
The new tariffs take effect on Friday at 00:01, coinciding with the expiration of the temporary 10% import tax. This measure was introduced following a Supreme Court ruling in February that invalidated the 'Freedom Day' tariffs imposed by the president in April 2025.
According to Green, this action aims to correct both human rights abuses and distorting trade practices to improve worker welfare globally.
The Federal Register noted India's adoption of the ban on importing goods produced with forced labor after the proposed tariffs were published in June. Specifically, on June 14, India amended its foreign trade policy to prohibit the import of goods created through forced labor.
The Trump administration initiated two investigations after the US Supreme Court rejected last year's 'reciprocal tariffs,' which used emergency powers as illegal. The administration responded by imposing 10% tariffs on all countries, which expire on Friday.
Abhik Sengupta, an industry organization employee, noted that 'the reduction of the tariff from 12.5 percent to 10 percent is modest in percentage points but significant in terms of signal. It indicates Washington's readiness to calibrate the application of measures while maintaining the strategic trajectory of economic partnership between India and the US.'
India challenges both the investigations initiated by the USTR and insists that these issues can be discussed within the framework of a bilateral trade agreement currently under discussion. The US is India's second-largest trading partner and its largest export destination. According to trade department data, trade between the two countries was valued at nearly $141 billion in 2025, with India's exports amounting to $87.3 billion.
The Indian airline IndiGo has opposed a proposed change that would allow airport operators in India to own and manage airlines. Rahul Bhatia, CEO and promoter of India's largest carrier, stated after a conference call following the earnings report that such an initiative lacks global precedent, raises serious concerns about conflicts of interest, and it is unclear how it will serve consumer interests.
Bhatia's comments came amid the government considering easing restrictions preventing Delhi and Mumbai airport operators from owning more than 10% of shares in a scheduled airline. It is anticipated that the Adani group, which manages the Mumbai airport, will take the first steps by acquiring a stake in an existing airline or investing in a startup. The GMR group, which manages the IGIA airport in Delhi, may do so at a later stage.
This news led to a drop in InterGlobe Aviation's shares for two consecutive days, as investors view the airline, which controls two-thirds of the domestic aviation market, as a potential loser if this proposal is implemented.
Senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation noted that a country with India's economic potential should have many airlines, not be limited to a duopoly between IndiGo and Tata's Air India group.
Meanwhile, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) requested public comments on Thursday regarding IndiGo's proposal as part of an investigation following the company's schedule disruption in December. IndiGo proposed temporarily releasing domestic slots at airports. According to the CCI notification, after such a transfer, the airport operator or body could independently determine the reallocation of such slots and dates for routes at its discretion.
