In a dramatic turn in the technology industry, Intel Corporation (INTC) is at the center of discussions that will split its business in a strategic unbundling. Two technology behemoths, Broadcom Inc. (AVGO) and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), are in separate discussions to place takeover bids that will more likely split Intel's chip design and manufacturing capabilities. The possible revamp has electrified the stock market with profound implications for the respective actors.

The Strategic Divide

Intel, the once semiconductor titan, has been having a hard time holding on to market dominance, particularly in the foundry business. It was recently reported that Broadcom was interested in acquiring Intel's chip design and marketing businesses, and that TSMC would acquire its manufacturing business. It would effectively split Intel into two firms, one for design and the other for manufacturing, and perhaps inject new life into Intel's competitive position in the rapidly evolving technology sector.

Broadcom's desire to acquire Intel's design business is in line with its own business model of specializing in high-value chip design and allowing others to do the manufacturing. For TSMC, which is the world's largest contract chipmaker, it would be a further consolidation of leadership as it would help increase its presence in the United States through Intel's factories.

However, the talks are in the initial stage, and both companies have made it clear that they are not in formal partnership to clinch this deal. The talks are rather verbal, and no concrete proposals have been placed on the table before Intel yet. A separation like this, with its inherent complexity comprised of regulatory issues and assimilation of Intel's highly intertwined design and manufacturing processes, is fraught with difficulties.

Stock Market Reaction

The dramatic developments were greeted with eager interest by the stock market. Intel stocks rose 10% at one point during trading prior to the start of the stock market on February 18, 2025, in reaction to investor expectations of a restructuring. This is mostly because of speculation regarding an agreement that will enable Intel to streamline its operations and unlock shareholder value, say analysts.

Intel (INTC): The potential for a split has made Intel's stock price jump significantly, with the shares trading at a premium due to the promise of higher efficiency and focus in design and manufacturing following the split.

Broadcom (AVGO): Broadcom stock has remained robust, with investors wagering on the company's prospects for strengthening its product line with the help of Intel's design capabilities. The stock has registered modest gains, mirroring guarded optimism about the success of the transaction.

TSMC (TSM): The stock price of TSMC has also responded positively, though with lower volatility compared to Intel. Potential expansion of its U.S. manufacturing base may decrease geopolitical risk and increase supply chain resilience, a positive for long-term growth.

But regulatory concerns and the politics of allowing a foreign firm like TSMC to assume control of Intel's U.S. factories dampen the market ardor. The Trump administration has refrained from approving any such deal on national security and economic leadership grounds.

Once upon a time in the heart of Silicon Valley, there existed a company that wove intricate circuits and digital dreams. Its name? Broadcom Inc. (AVGO).

The Rise of AVGO: A Tale of Chips and Ambition

At Broadcom HQ, things were buzzing. Engineers were everywhere, all crowded around blueprints, their eyes practically glowing with ideas. They were basically building the tiny brains that run our phones, connect our houses to the internet, and even talk to those space things zooming way up in the sky. These tiny silicon marvels held the promise of a connected future—a world where data flowed seamlessly, like electrons dancing through copper wires.

But Broadcom wasn't just about circuits; it was about ambition. Its founder, Henry Samueli, had a vision: to build bridges between people, devices, and distant galaxies. Okay, maybe not galaxies, but you get the idea. Samueli believed in the magic of connectivity—the way a Wi-Fi signal could unite a coffee shop in Ohio with a teahouse in Tokyo.

The Stock Market Tango: AVGO's Dance with Investors

Fast-forward to Wall Street. AVGO's stock price swirled like a tango—sometimes graceful, sometimes wild. Investors watched, hearts racing, as the numbers pirouetted across screens. The Nasdaq cheered, and the S&P 500 nodded in approval. AVGO had become a star performer, dazzling the financial world.

Institutional investors, those mysterious titans of finance, whispered secrets in boardrooms. They held AVGO close, like a prized possession. Mutual funds, pension funds—they all wanted a piece of the action. And why not? Broadcom's earnings per share (EPS) danced to a tune of $23.20, a melody that resonated across trading floors.

Insiders' Whispers and Retail Rebels

But wait, there's more! Insiders—those elusive company executives—had their own moves. They bought and sold shares, their transactions etched in SEC filings. A CEO's purchase signaled confidence; a CFO's sale raised eyebrows. It was a stock market soap opera, complete with plot twists and cliffhangers.

And then there were the retail rebels—the everyday investors. They chatted on Reddit, tweeted stock tips, and rode the AVGO rollercoaster. Some held diamond hands, refusing to let go even when the market dipped. Others panicked, their paper gains slipping through trembling fingers. Currently, famed inside trader Nancy Pelosi has purchased twenty call options with a strike price of $800 that expire in a year.

Short Squeezes and Moonshots

Short interest loomed like a shadow. Bears bet against AVGO, hoping for a stumble. But sometimes, the market flipped the script. A short squeeze—a sudden surge in price—sent shorts scrambling. It was David versus Goliath, with pixels and algorithms replacing slingshots.

As for the moonshots? Well, AVGO didn't literally shoot to the moon, but it reached new heights. $1,851.62 per share—a record! The stock soared, leaving contrails of financial stardust.