It looks like Intel really killed it in the fourth quarter of 2009, with revenue up about 28% year over year to $10.6 billion. These numbers are after the $1.25 billion settlement paid to rival AMD. Sales were so good, in fact, that Intel is proclaiming the return of consumer demand. ” We have seen a return of consumer demand and replenishment to normal inventory levels after the precipitous demand drop at the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009,” said Intel CFO Stacy Smith.
Intel is predicting continued momentum going into 2010. They are expecting revenue of about $9.7 billion this quarter. That’s nearly as much as the Q4 holiday shopping season. Wall Street’s own estimate is quite close at $9.35 billion.
Intel CEO Paul Otellini talked up Intel’s plans for 2010 in a call with analysts. He stressed the value of Nehalem and was looking forward to the introduction of the new 32nm process technology. He also held that Intel’s Atom processors would continue to dominate the low end of the market.
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