Trump's Policy Shift Lifts Intel's Volume-Driven Rally as Top 500 Strategy Posts $2.34K Profit

Intel (INTC) shares surged 5.62% on August 12, 2025, with a trading volume of $2.88 billion, marking a 21.21% decline from the previous day’s activity. The rally followed a significant shift in former President Donald Trump’s public stance toward Intel’s CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, who was initially criticized as “highly conflicted” and urged to resign. Trump’s subsequent praise, calling Tan a “success” and affirming a “candid and constructive” meeting at the White House, alleviated concerns over regulatory risks and executive instability. This reversal signaled renewed political backing for Intel’s leadership and strategic alignment with U.S. domestic manufacturing priorities, boosting investor confidence.

The abrupt pivot from condemnation to endorsement underscored the outsized influence of political rhetoric on semiconductor stocks. Intel’s stock had faced uncertainty amid scrutiny over Tan’s business ties in China, but Trump’s endorsement reduced reputational risks and highlighted potential government support for the company’s role in national security. Analysts noted that Intel’s position as the sole leading-edge U.S.-based foundry positions it as a critical player in reshoring efforts, with policy alignment likely to bolster its long-term prospects. However, challenges remain, including geopolitical tensions and the need for sustained execution on capital-intensive projects like Ohio-based fabrication plants.

The strategy of purchasing the top 500 stocks by daily trading volume and holding for one day generated a total profit of $2,340 between 2022 and the present. Despite this, the approach faced a maximum drawdown of -15.3% on October 27, 2022, illustrating the inherent risks of volume-driven trading strategies during volatile market conditions.