Bloomberg Stock Movers
2026-06-18 · Hosted by — · Bloomberg / iHeartMedia
Executive Summary
Intel was the most actively traded pre-market stock, up about 9% and on track for an all-time high after President Trump said Apple agreed to work with Intel to design and build chips in the U.S. — a major foundry-business win for the chipmaker, now up 228% on the year. Separately, outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook told the Wall Street Journal that Apple will raise product prices to offset “unsustainable” surges in memory and storage chip costs driven by AI demand. Smith & Wesson jumped nearly 15% on stronger-than-expected earnings led by new handgun products.
Key Stories & Changes
1. Intel Lands Apple as a Foundry Customer
Intel up ~9% pre-market, on track for an all-time high if it holds into the open
Stock up 228% year-to-date; the U.S. took a 10% stake last year and is now the chipmaker’s biggest investor
President Trump said Apple agreed to work with Intel to design and build chips in the U.S.
Securing external foundry customers is “a key piece” of Intel’s comeback plan after past false starts
Analysts say landing Apple could attract additional new business to the foundry unit
2. Apple to Raise Prices on AI-Driven Chip Cost Surge
Outgoing CEO Tim Cook told the Wall Street Journal (exclusive) that Apple plans to raise prices on its products
Increases are to offset skyrocketing memory and storage chip costs; Cook called the situation “unsustainable”
Cost surge driven by AI companies’ demand for memory/storage chips, creating a supply shortage for others
No detail on timing, scale, or affected products; next major launch is the iPhone 18 lineup in September (including a new foldable iPhone)
Some analysts estimate the iPhone 18 could rise ~$100; Mac/iPad increases could come sooner (the Mac Mini’s starting price already rose last month)
3. Smith & Wesson Surges on Earnings Beat
Smith & Wesson up nearly 15%; up 39% year-to-date
Quarterly earnings rose more than expected; new products (especially handguns) drove market-share gains
New products made up ~38% of Q4 shipments; CEO said handguns were the largest driver, with momentum in new categories like hunting
Handgun shipments outpaced federal background-check data (the company’s demand proxy)
Guided to 15–20% revenue growth in the current quarter and mid-single-digit growth for the full year
Also noted paying down debt — well received by Wall Street
4. SpaceX & Tech in Focus
Episode framed around heavy tech activity, noting SpaceX is typically the most actively traded stock (Intel took the top spot this session)
Trends Identified
1. AI Chip Demand Is Reshaping the Supply Chain
The same AI-driven boom propelling chip equities is now squeezing downstream hardware makers: surging memory and storage chip demand has pushed costs to levels Apple calls “unsustainable,” forcing consumer price increases. The dynamic shows AI’s inflationary spillover reaching all the way to the iPhone.
2. Government-Backed Reshoring of Chip Manufacturing
Intel’s Apple win, layered on top of the U.S. government’s 10% equity stake, underscores a policy-driven push to rebuild domestic chip production. Presidential involvement in announcing the Apple deal signals how intertwined industrial policy and the foundry comeback have become.
3. Resilient Consumer Demand in Discretionary Categories
Smith & Wesson’s beat — strong handgun demand outpacing background-check data, share gains, and pricing power even as it raised prices — points to durable demand in select discretionary/sporting categories despite a higher-cost environment. —-
Sentiment Analysis
Overall Market Sentiment: Bullish
The episode skewed positive, driven by a standout Intel rally, a strong Smith & Wesson beat, and pricing power at Apple, with the only caution being the “unsustainable” chip-cost backdrop.
Risk Factors Highlighted
Unsustainable chip costs: Surging memory/storage prices are squeezing hardware makers and forcing consumer price increases.
Consumer price increases: Apple’s planned hikes (e.g., ~$100 on iPhone 18) could pressure demand if buyers resist.
Intel execution risk: The foundry comeback remains in “early stages” with a history of false starts despite the Apple win.
AI-driven supply shortages: Diverted memory/storage supply to AI firms creates shortages for other companies.
Firearms demand cyclicality: Smith & Wesson’s strong guidance depends on continued elevated demand that can be volatile.
This episode was covered in today’s The Market Signal — 2026-06-18, a cross-source synthesis of multiple podcast reports.