Intel, AMD sales to take hit from China curbing use of U.S. chips, analysts warn

Reuters

Published Mar 25, 2024 06:39AM ET

Updated Mar 25, 2024 01:30PM ET

(Reuters) - Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) and Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD) could lose billions of dollars in sales if China limits the use of their chips and servers in government computers, several Wall Street analysts said on Monday.

The Financial Times reported over the weekend China has introduced guidelines to phase out U.S. chips from the companies and also wants to sideline Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT)'s Windows and foreign-made database software in favor of domestic options.

Beijing been trying to reduce its reliance on foreign firms by building out its local semiconductor industry as it grapples with U.S. export curbs on technology including cutting-edge chips.

The latest move could make a big dent on the chip firms' earnings as China was Intel's largest market in 2023 with 27% of revenue, while AMD drew about 15% of its sales from the country.

Microsoft does not break out its revenue from China.

"A total cessation of China governmental purchases of Intel and AMD CPUs might impact revenue by low-single digits," said Bernstein analyst Stacy Rasgon, predicting a hit of up to $1.5 billion for Intel and a few hundred million dollars for AMD.

But he said Intel could face a higher hit to its profit - of mid-single digits to low-double digits, "given higher exposure and the vagaries of a worse cost structure".

Intel declined to comment, while AMD and Microsoft did not respond to Reuters requests for comment. Shares of Intel fell 1.6% and Microsoft 1% in afternoon trading, while AMD reversed early losses to trade marginally up.