Intel’s Chief Financial Officer, David Zinsner, is scheduled to address the investment community in early March, setting the stage for a pivotal update on the chipmaker’s ambitious foundry expansion. The focal point for analysts and shareholders will be the progress of Intel’s 14A (1.4-nanometer class) manufacturing technology and the critical search for customer commitments to justify its substantial capital investments.
Morgan Stanley Conference to Host Key Dialogue
The company announced on Wednesday, February 18, that CFO David Zinsner will participate in a fireside chat at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference. The session is set for 8:35 a.m. PT on March 4 and will center on Intel’s business operations and strategic direction.
For investors, Intel plans to provide a live webcast of the event, with a recording made available afterward on its investor relations website. The company has noted that participants, speakers, and the schedule remain subject to change.
The 14A Node: Promise Meets Pragmatism
This appearance comes at a sensitive time for Intel’s foundry plans, with the development of its 14A process technology under intense scrutiny. While CEO Lip-Bu Tan emphasized at CES 2026 that Intel remains “fully committed” to 14A, the technical roadmap is only part of the story. The more pressing question concerns tangible customer interest.
During January’s Q4 2025 earnings call, Zinsner indicated a disciplined approach to capacity expansion, stating Intel would hold back on significant build-out until firm customer orders materialize. A key milestone for potential clients is imminent: Intel anticipates releasing version 0.5 of the Process Design Kit (PDK) for 14A in the first quarter of 2026. This toolkit is essential for customers to design and test chips effectively.
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Reports suggest two prospective customers are currently evaluating test chips based on the 14A technology. However, binding agreements are not expected until the second half of 2026.
Technical Roadmap and Timeline
Building upon the 18A node, the 14A process is designed to incorporate Intel’s second generation of RibbonFET (Gate-all-around) transistors and an advanced backside power delivery system called “PowerDirect.” The company projects a performance-per-watt improvement of approximately 15% to 20% over the 18A technology.
The production timeline is clearly defined: Intel is targeting “Risk Production” for 2027, with high-volume manufacturing slated to follow in 2028. This established schedule places even greater importance on securing customer commitments in the near term to validate the ongoing investment strategy.
Investor Sentiment Hangs in the Balance
The March 4th event is likely to serve as a crucial barometer of Intel’s execution. Investors will be listening closely for Zinsner’s commentary on the concrete state of the 14A customer pipeline and the company’s continued fiscal discipline in aligning capacity spending with actual demand.
The stock has faced recent pressure, declining by 17.34% over the past seven trading days. Consequently, Zinsner’s remarks will provide the next official benchmark for assessing whether Intel is advancing swiftly enough on customer acquisition to support its rigorous capital expenditure plans.
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