Intel Sold Its NAND Memory Business for About $9 Billion. Micron Is Now Worth More Than Twice What Intel Is. - The Globe and Mail

Intel sold its NAND memory and storage business to SK Hynix for $9 billion in 2020, with the final transaction closing in March 2025. This move marked a strategic pivot by Intel away from commodity me... Read original →

Intel's divestiture of its NAND business signals a decisive shift toward foundry operations, yet reveals a strategic misstep in navigating AI-driven memory demand shifts. SK Hynix surged 257% in Q2 revenue, while Micron's market cap now exceeds Intel's, fueled by strong DRAM and HBM demand in AI data centers. Despite a 31% YoY growth in Intel’s foundry segment, a $2.1B loss underscores operational inefficiencies. The move reflects broader supply chain realignment amid geopolitical tensions and rising risks in semiconductor sourcing. In the near term, AI will continue to bifurcate memory demand, and Intel’s inability to achieve profitability in foundry operations may lead to strategic marginalization.