How did IPM's Q4 2023 earnings surprise impact investor confidence?

Intel's Q4 2023 earnings surprise had a significant impact on investor confidence, as evidenced by the following factors:

1. **Earnings Beat Expectations**: Intel reported earnings of 42 cents per share, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 38 cents per share. This beat on expectations is a positive indicator, as it suggests that the company's performance was better than what investors were anticipating.
2. **Consensus Estimate Adjustments**: The consensus estimate for Q4 2023 earnings increased by 10 cents to 42 cents per share over the past 30 days. This adjustment upward reflects a more optimistic outlook from analysts, which can boost investor confidence as it implies that the company's financial performance is heading in the right direction.
3. **Stock Price Reaction**: Despite the positive earnings surprise, Intel's stock price fell by 1.2% in after-hours trading following the earnings release. This could be due to various factors, including market conditions, investor sentiment, or concerns about future performance. However, the fact that the stock price did not fall further could be seen as a sign that the positive earnings surprise was not entirely overshadowed by other factors.
4. **Broader Market Impact**: The positive earnings surprise contributed to a broader market uptick, with the S&P 500 index rising by 0.5% following the earnings release. This suggests that investor confidence was influenced positively by Intel's strong performance, as it can lead to a ripple effect across the market, especially if other companies are also reporting strong earnings.

In conclusion, Intel's Q4 2023 earnings surprise had a generally positive impact on investor confidence, as indicated by the beat on expectations, consensus estimate adjustments, and broader market reactions. However, the stock price reaction showed that there might be other factors at play that could influence investor sentiment.