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INTC vs NVDA
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Semiconductors
INTC vs NVDA — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Semiconductors | Semiconductors |
| Market Cap | $543.17B | $4.78T |
| Revenue (TTM) | $53.76B | $215.94B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-3.17B | $120.07B |
| Gross Margin | 35.4% | 71.1% |
| Operating Margin | -9.4% | 60.4% |
| Forward P/E | 103.7x | 23.7x |
| Total Debt | $46.59B | $11.41B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $14.27B | $10.61B |
INTC vs NVDA — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Corporation (INTC) | 100 | 171.9 | +71.9% |
| NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) | 100 | 2212.8 | +2112.8% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: INTC vs NVDA
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
INTC is the clearest fit if your priority is momentum.
- +433.7% vs NVDA's +72.7%
NVDA carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 2 yrs, beta 1.73, yield 0.0%
- Rev growth 65.5%, EPS growth 66.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 100.0%
- 224.0% 10Y total return vs INTC's 293.1%
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 65.5% revenue growth vs INTC's -0.5% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (23.7x vs 103.7x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 55.6% margin vs INTC's -5.9% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 1.73 vs INTC's 2.15, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | 0.0% yield; 2-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend | |
| Momentum (1Y) | +433.7% vs NVDA's +72.7% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 58.1% ROA vs INTC's -1.6%, ROIC 81.8% vs -0.0% |
INTC vs NVDA — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
INTC vs NVDA — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NVDA leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
NVDA is the larger business by revenue, generating $215.9B annually — 4.0x INTC's $53.8B. NVDA is the more profitable business, keeping 55.6% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to INTC's -5.9%. On growth, NVDA holds the edge at +73.2% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $53.8B | $215.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $4.0B | $133.2B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$3.2B | $120.1B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$3.1B | $96.7B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +35.4% | +71.1% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -9.4% | +60.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -5.9% | +55.6% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -5.8% | +44.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +7.2% | +73.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -2.8% | +97.8% |
Valuation Metrics
INTC leads this category, winning 3 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, NVDA's 35.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than INTC's 49.3x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $543.2B | $4.78T |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $575.5B | $4.78T |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -1836.67x | 40.10x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 103.72x | 23.74x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.42x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 49.26x | 35.85x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 10.28x | 22.12x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 4.16x | 30.52x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 49.40x |
Profitability & Efficiency
NVDA leads this category, winning 8 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
NVDA delivers a 76.3% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $76 in annual profit, vs $-3 for INTC. NVDA carries lower financial leverage with a 0.07x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to INTC's 0.37x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), INTC scores 6/9 vs NVDA's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -2.7% | +76.3% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -1.6% | +58.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -0.0% | +81.8% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -0.0% | +97.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.37x | 0.07x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $32.3B | $807M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $14.3B | $10.6B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $46.6B | $11.4B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 3.71x | 545.03x |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
NVDA leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in NVDA five years ago would be worth $135,979 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $19,665 for INTC. Over the past 12 months, INTC leads with a +433.7% total return vs NVDA's +72.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors NVDA at 90.0% vs INTC's 52.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +174.7% | +4.1% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +433.7% | +72.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +251.1% | +585.5% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +96.7% | +1259.8% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +293.1% | +22397.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +52.0% | +90.0% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — INTC and NVDA each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
NVDA is the less volatile stock with a 1.73 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than INTC's 2.15 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. INTC currently trades 97.9% from its 52-week high vs NVDA's 90.6% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.15x | 1.73x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $110.48 | $216.80 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $18.97 | $110.82 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +97.9% | +90.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 79.9 | 53.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 108.6M | 166.0M |
Analyst Outlook
NVDA leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates INTC as "Hold" and NVDA as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 41.9% upside for NVDA (target: $279) vs -28.7% for INTC (target: $77).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $77.18 | $278.83 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 84 | 79 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.0% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 2 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.04 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +0.8% |
NVDA leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). INTC leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
INTC vs NVDA: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is INTC or NVDA a better buy right now?
For growth investors, NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is the stronger pick with 65.
5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -0. 5% for Intel Corporation (INTC). NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) offers the better valuation at 40. 1x trailing P/E (23. 7x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) a "Buy" — based on 79 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — INTC or NVDA?
On forward P/E, NVIDIA Corporation is actually cheaper at 23.
7x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — INTC or NVDA?
Over the past 5 years, NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) delivered a total return of +1260%, compared to +96.
7% for Intel Corporation (INTC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: NVDA returned +224. 0% versus INTC's +293. 1%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — INTC or NVDA?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
73β versus Intel Corporation's 2. 15β — meaning INTC is approximately 25% more volatile than NVDA relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 7% versus 37% for Intel Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — INTC or NVDA?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is pulling ahead at 65.
5% versus -0. 5% for Intel Corporation (INTC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Intel Corporation grew EPS 98. 7% year-over-year, compared to 66. 7% for NVIDIA Corporation. Over a 3-year CAGR, NVDA leads at 100. 0% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — INTC or NVDA?
NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is the more profitable company, earning 55.
6% net margin versus -0. 5% for Intel Corporation — meaning it keeps 55. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: NVDA leads at 60. 4% versus -0. 0% for INTC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — NVDA leads at 71. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is INTC or NVDA more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) trades at 23.
7x forward P/E versus 103. 7x for Intel Corporation — 80. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for NVDA: 41. 9% to $278. 83.
08Which pays a better dividend — INTC or NVDA?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
09Is INTC or NVDA better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+224.
0% 10Y return). Intel Corporation (INTC) carries a higher beta of 2. 15 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (NVDA: +224. 0%, INTC: +293. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between INTC and NVDA?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: INTC is a large-cap quality compounder stock; NVDA is a mega-cap high-growth stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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