Intel's 18A Yields Surging

It looks like the tide might finally be turning for Intel Foundry. For a long time, the narrative was that they were falling hopelessly behind TSMC, but these latest reports from KeyBanc and FactSet suggest they are closing the gap much faster than expected. Seeing an 85% yield on 18A puts them in a very competitive position, especially when compared to the struggles Samsung has faced with their SF2 process.

What’s even more impressive is the momentum with their advanced packaging. If the EMIB-T yield is truly hitting 98%, Intel isn't just competing on transistor density anymore; they are becoming a powerhouse in the entire backend ecosystem. Getting NVIDIA and OpenAI to commit to their roadmap is the ultimate validation. It signals that the industry is starting to view Intel as a viable second source to TSMC, which is exactly what the semiconductor supply chain needs right now to mitigate risk.