Home > Comparison > Technology > INTC vs CRUS
The strategic rivalry between Intel Corporation and Cirrus Logic defines the current trajectory of the semiconductor sector. Intel operates as a capital-intensive industrial giant with diversified platforms and high-performance compute solutions. Cirrus Logic focuses on high-margin, fabless mixed-signal processing products for audio and industrial applications. This analysis will clarify which corporate trajectory offers the superior risk-adjusted outlook for a diversified portfolio amid evolving technological demands.
Table of contents
Companies Overview
Intel Corporation and Cirrus Logic, Inc. stand as influential players in the semiconductor industry with distinct scale and scope.
Intel Corporation: Global Semiconductor Powerhouse
Intel dominates the semiconductor sector, generating revenue primarily from central processing units (CPUs) and platform products. Its 2026 strategy sharpens focus on high-performance compute solutions, cloud service platforms, and autonomous driving technology. The company leverages its broad portfolio to serve OEMs, cloud providers, and emerging verticals, sustaining its status as a technology titan with a $232B market cap.
Cirrus Logic, Inc.: Specialist in Mixed-Signal Audio Solutions
Cirrus Logic carves out a niche as a fabless semiconductor firm specializing in low-power, high-precision mixed-signal processing. Revenue flows from advanced audio codecs, amplifiers, and DSPs embedded in consumer electronics and industrial applications. In 2026, the company emphasizes enhancing user experience via its SoundClear technology suite and expanding its footprint in automotive and industrial markets, with a market cap near $6.7B.
Strategic Collision: Similarities & Divergences
Both companies innovate in semiconductors but diverge sharply in business models. Intel integrates design and manufacturing, building a closed ecosystem around performance and scale. Cirrus Logic operates fabless, focusing on specialized audio and mixed-signal ICs in a more open, partner-driven model. Their primary battleground lies in embedded systems for consumer and industrial electronics. Investment profiles contrast Intel’s heavyweight presence and broad diversification against Cirrus Logic’s focused, high-margin niche expertise.
Income Statement Comparison
This data dissects the core profitability and scalability of both corporate engines to reveal who dominates the bottom line:
| Metric | Intel Corporation (INTC) | Cirrus Logic, Inc. (CRUS) |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 52.9B | 1.9B |
| Cost of Revenue | 34.4B | 900M |
| Operating Expenses | 20.6B | 586M |
| Gross Profit | 18.5B | 996M |
| EBITDA | 11.2B | 497M |
| EBIT | 2.5B | 445M |
| Interest Expense | 953M | 898K |
| Net Income | -267M | 332M |
| EPS | -0.08 | 6.24 |
| Fiscal Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Income Statement Analysis: The Bottom-Line Duel
This income statement comparison exposes which company operates more efficiently and generates stronger profitability from its core business.
Intel Corporation Analysis
Intel’s revenue declined by 0.5% in 2025 to $52.9B, continuing a five-year downward trend. Gross margin improved to 35%, reflecting better cost control, but net income fell to a negative $267M, yielding a -0.5% net margin. Despite a 125% EBIT rebound, persistent losses indicate ongoing operational challenges and margin compression.
Cirrus Logic, Inc. Analysis
Cirrus Logic grew revenue 6% to $1.9B in 2025, extending a steady expansion since 2021. Its gross margin stands robust at 52.5%, with an impressive 23.5% EBIT margin. Net income rose 21.9% to $331M, representing a 17.5% net margin. This momentum signals strong operating leverage and disciplined expense management.
Margin Power vs. Revenue Scale
Cirrus Logic demonstrates superior margin health and consistent profitability growth, while Intel struggles with shrinking revenue and losses despite margin improvement. Cirrus’s efficient income generation and expanding earnings make it the clearer fundamental winner. Investors seeking solid profitability and growth will likely find Cirrus’s profile more compelling.
Financial Ratios Comparison
These vital ratios act as a diagnostic tool to expose the underlying fiscal health, valuation premiums, and capital efficiency of the companies analyzed:
| Ratios | Intel Corporation (INTC) | Cirrus Logic, Inc. (CRUS) |
|---|---|---|
| ROE | -0.23% | 17.01% |
| ROIC | -0.02% | 14.20% |
| P/E | -658.4 | 15.95 |
| P/B | 1.54 | 2.71 |
| Current Ratio | 2.02 | 6.35 |
| Quick Ratio | 1.65 | 4.82 |
| D/E | 0.41 | 0.07 |
| Debt-to-Assets | 22.0% | 6.18% |
| Interest Coverage | -2.23 | 457.0 |
| Asset Turnover | 0.25 | 0.81 |
| Fixed Asset Turnover | 0.50 | 6.62 |
| Payout ratio | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Dividend yield | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Fiscal Year | 2025 | 2025 |
Efficiency & Valuation Duel: The Vital Signs
Financial ratios act as a company’s DNA, exposing hidden risks and revealing operational excellence behind surface figures.
Intel Corporation
Intel’s profitability suffers with negative ROE (-0.23%) and net margin (-0.51%), signaling operational challenges. The stock appears undervalued with a favorable negative P/E, but asset turnover is weak. Intel maintains a solid current ratio (2.02) and low debt, yet returns no dividend, focusing on heavy R&D spending (26% of revenue) to fuel growth.
Cirrus Logic, Inc.
Cirrus Logic delivers strong profitability with a 17% ROE and healthy 17.5% net margin, reflecting efficient operations. The valuation is reasonable, with a neutral P/E of 15.95 and a solid free cash flow yield. Despite an unusually high current ratio (6.35), the company keeps low debt and reinvests heavily in R&D (~23%), foregoing dividends to support innovation.
Operational Efficiency vs. Valuation Discipline
Cirrus Logic offers a superior balance of profitability and operational efficiency with favorable returns and manageable valuation. Intel’s ratios reveal risks from negative returns and asset inefficiency despite a strong liquidity position. Investors prioritizing steady operational performance may find Cirrus Logic’s profile more compelling, while Intel’s turnaround remains uncertain.
Which one offers the Superior Shareholder Reward?
Intel Corporation (INTC) pays a modest 0% dividend yield in 2025, with no payout ratio, reflecting zero dividend payments. Its free cash flow per share is negative (-1.02), highlighting weak FCF coverage. Buybacks appear limited amid operational losses and cash burn. Cirrus Logic (CRUS) forgoes dividends but boasts strong free cash flow per share of 7.82 and robust operating margins above 20%. Its capital allocation heavily favors share buybacks, fueling total shareholder return. I find CRUS’s reinvestment and buyback strategy more sustainable and rewarding in 2026. Thus, Cirrus Logic offers a superior total return profile over Intel for disciplined investors.
Comparative Score Analysis: The Strategic Profile
The radar chart reveals the fundamental DNA and trade-offs of Intel Corporation and Cirrus Logic, highlighting their distinct strategic strengths and weaknesses:
Cirrus Logic dominates in cash flow generation, asset efficiency, and shareholder returns, boasting strong DCF (4), ROE (4), and ROA (5) scores. Intel lags with uniformly low operational scores but shows relative strength in price-to-book valuation (4). Cirrus Logic presents a more balanced and robust profile, while Intel relies heavily on valuation appeal amid operational challenges.
Bankruptcy Risk: Solvency Showdown
The Altman Z-Score gap between Intel (2.49, grey zone) and Cirrus Logic (12.44, safe zone) signals divergent bankruptcy risks:
Intel’s moderate score indicates financial vulnerability under stress, suggesting cautious monitoring. Cirrus Logic’s high score confirms strong solvency and resilience, well-positioned to withstand current market cycles.
Financial Health: Quality of Operations
The Piotroski F-Score comparison highlights Cirrus Logic’s superior financial health at 7 (strong) versus Intel’s 4 (average), signaling internal operational disparities:
Intel’s average score flags red flags in profitability or efficiency metrics, while Cirrus Logic’s strong score reflects solid fundamentals and disciplined capital allocation. Investors should weigh these operational quality differences carefully.
How are the two companies positioned?
This section dissects Intel and Cirrus Logic’s operational DNA by comparing revenue distribution and internal strengths and weaknesses. The goal is to confront their economic moats to reveal which model offers the most resilient competitive advantage today.
Revenue Segmentation: The Strategic Mix
This visual comparison dissects how Intel Corporation and Cirrus Logic diversify their income streams and highlights their primary sector bets for 2025:
Intel leans on a diverse portfolio with Client Computing Group at $32.2B, Data Center Group $16.9B, and Intel Foundry Services $17.8B. Cirrus Logic pivots mainly on Portable Audio Products at $1.14B, dwarfed by its High-Performance Mixed Signal Products at $759M. Intel’s broad exposure reduces concentration risk and supports ecosystem lock-in, while Cirrus faces higher dependency risk but benefits from focused market specialization.
Strengths and Weaknesses Comparison
This table compares the Strengths and Weaknesses of Intel Corporation and Cirrus Logic, Inc.:
Intel Corporation Strengths
- Diversified segments including Client Computing, Data Center, and Foundry Services
- Solid global presence with large revenue in US, Singapore, Taiwan
Cirrus Logic Strengths
- Strong profitability with high net margin, ROE, and ROIC
- Favorable debt ratios and exceptional interest coverage
Intel Corporation Weaknesses
- Negative profitability metrics including net margin and ROE
- Unfavorable asset turnover and dividend yield
- Slightly unfavorable overall ratio evaluation
Cirrus Logic Weaknesses
- Current ratio is very high, indicating possible inefficient asset use
- Dividend yield is zero, limiting income appeal
Intel shows broad diversification and global reach but struggles with profitability and asset efficiency. Cirrus Logic delivers solid profitability and capital structure but shows liquidity management concerns. These factors shape their strategic priorities going forward.
The Moat Duel: Analyzing Competitive Defensibility
A structural moat is the only true defense against profit erosion from competition for long-term market leadership:
Intel Corporation: Legacy Scale with Cost Disadvantage
Intel’s moat stems from its vast manufacturing scale and platform integration. However, declining ROIC below WACC signals value destruction. New product launches in AI and automotive markets could stabilize margins but face fierce competition in 2026.
Cirrus Logic, Inc.: Niche Expertise with Precision Focus
Cirrus Logic’s moat lies in high-margin, specialized mixed-signal processing. It boasts strong ROIC above WACC and margin expansion, contrasting Intel’s struggles. Continued innovation in audio and power management solutions positions it well for steady 2026 growth.
Manufacturing Scale vs. Specialized Precision: The Moat Verdict
Cirrus Logic possesses the deeper moat, combining rising ROIC with focused product leadership. Intel’s scale is challenged by profitability declines. Cirrus is better equipped to defend and grow its niche market share amid intensifying semiconductor competition.
Which stock offers better returns?
The past year reveals distinct bullish momentum for both stocks, with Cirrus Logic surging more sharply than Intel. Trading volumes increased alongside accelerating price trends.
Trend Comparison
Intel Corporation’s stock rose 5.61% over the past 12 months, showing accelerating bullish momentum and a moderate volatility level of 8.11%. The price ranged from $18.89 to $46.96.
Cirrus Logic’s stock gained 40.89% over the same period, also accelerating upward but with higher volatility at 14.44%. Its price fluctuated between $82.02 and $145.69.
Cirrus Logic outperformed Intel with a stronger 12-month price increase and higher buyer dominance, despite greater volatility.
Target Prices
Analyst consensus sets clear expectations for Intel Corporation and Cirrus Logic, Inc. in 2026.
| Company | Target Low | Target High | Consensus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intel Corporation | 20 | 66 | 46.95 |
| Cirrus Logic, Inc. | 100 | 155 | 138.75 |
Intel’s consensus target of $46.95 closely aligns with its current price of $46.47, indicating limited upside. Cirrus Logic’s consensus target of $138.75 suggests a moderate premium over its $130.34 market price, reflecting analyst optimism.
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How do institutions grade them?
Intel Corporation Grades
The following table summarizes recent grades from reputable financial institutions for Intel Corporation:
| Grading Company | Action | New Grade | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBC Capital | Maintain | Sector Perform | 2026-01-23 |
| Keybanc | Maintain | Overweight | 2026-01-23 |
| Evercore ISI Group | Maintain | In Line | 2026-01-23 |
| Needham | Maintain | Hold | 2026-01-23 |
| Benchmark | Maintain | Buy | 2026-01-23 |
| Rosenblatt | Maintain | Sell | 2026-01-23 |
| UBS | Maintain | Neutral | 2026-01-23 |
| Citigroup | Maintain | Neutral | 2026-01-23 |
| Stifel | Maintain | Hold | 2026-01-23 |
| Wedbush | Maintain | Neutral | 2026-01-23 |
Cirrus Logic, Inc. Grades
Below are the latest grades from recognized grading companies for Cirrus Logic, Inc.:
| Grading Company | Action | New Grade | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keybanc | Maintain | Overweight | 2025-11-05 |
| Barclays | Maintain | Equal Weight | 2025-11-05 |
| Benchmark | Maintain | Buy | 2025-11-05 |
| Stifel | Maintain | Buy | 2025-11-05 |
| Susquehanna | Maintain | Positive | 2025-10-22 |
| Stifel | Maintain | Buy | 2025-10-17 |
| Stifel | Maintain | Buy | 2025-09-12 |
| Barclays | Maintain | Equal Weight | 2025-05-07 |
| Barclays | Maintain | Equal Weight | 2025-04-22 |
| Stifel | Maintain | Buy | 2025-04-17 |
Which company has the best grades?
Cirrus Logic holds a stronger consensus with multiple Buy ratings and positive outlooks. Intel’s grades are more mixed, ranging from Sell to Buy. This divergence suggests Cirrus Logic may currently enjoy higher institutional confidence, potentially influencing investor sentiment.
Risks specific to each company
The following categories identify critical pressure points and systemic threats facing both firms in the 2026 market environment:
1. Market & Competition
Intel Corporation
- Faces intense competition from global chipmakers and must innovate amid declining net margins.
Cirrus Logic, Inc.
- Operates in a niche with less scale but strong product differentiation and favorable profitability.
2. Capital Structure & Debt
Intel Corporation
- Moderate leverage with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.41; interest coverage is neutral at 2.63x.
Cirrus Logic, Inc.
- Low leverage at 0.07 debt-to-equity; exceptionally strong interest coverage near 495x.
3. Stock Volatility
Intel Corporation
- Beta of 1.35 indicates higher volatility than the market, reflecting cyclical semiconductor risks.
Cirrus Logic, Inc.
- Beta of 1.08 suggests lower volatility and more stable trading relative to peers.
4. Regulatory & Legal
Intel Corporation
- Subject to major antitrust scrutiny and export controls due to size and geopolitical tensions.
Cirrus Logic, Inc.
- Faces regulatory risks typical for fabless semiconductor firms but less exposed to broad trade restrictions.
5. Supply Chain & Operations
Intel Corporation
- Complex global supply chain with capital-intensive fabs increases operational risk and fixed asset turnover concerns.
Cirrus Logic, Inc.
- Relies on foundry partners, reducing capital intensity but exposing it to third-party manufacturing risks.
6. ESG & Climate Transition
Intel Corporation
- Large carbon footprint with pressure to improve sustainability in manufacturing processes.
Cirrus Logic, Inc.
- Smaller operational footprint but must manage ESG factors to meet increasing customer demands.
7. Geopolitical Exposure
Intel Corporation
- Highly exposed to US-China tensions affecting technology exports and supply chains.
Cirrus Logic, Inc.
- Moderate exposure, primarily through global sales and foundry dependencies.
Which company shows a better risk-adjusted profile?
Intel’s biggest risk lies in its deteriorating profitability and operational inefficiencies amid intense global competition. Cirrus Logic’s primary risk is its high current ratio, raising concerns about asset utilization. Cirrus Logic shows a superior risk-adjusted profile, supported by strong profitability, conservative leverage, and robust Altman Z-Score in the safe zone. Intel’s grey zone Altman Z-Score and negative returns on capital underline ongoing financial challenges despite its scale.
Final Verdict: Which stock to choose?
Intel’s superpower lies in its vast scale and deep R&D commitment, positioning it as a potential turnaround story. However, its declining profitability and value destruction remain points of vigilance. Intel could fit portfolios seeking cyclical recovery plays with a tolerance for operational risk.
Cirrus Logic shines with a durable moat driven by strong ROIC and a focused niche in audio ICs. Its financial health exhibits superior stability, underpinned by robust margins and minimal debt. Cirrus suits investors favoring steady growth with a disciplined capital allocator profile.
If you prioritize a high-conviction turnaround bet with scale advantages, Intel presents an intriguing, albeit riskier, scenario. However, if you seek a stable, value-creating company with a proven moat, Cirrus Logic outshines as the more reliable choice with better profitability and financial resilience.
Disclaimer: Investment carries a risk of loss of initial capital. The past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Be sure to understand risks before making an investment decision.
Go Further
I encourage you to read the complete analyses of Intel Corporation and Cirrus Logic, Inc. to enhance your investment decisions:
