Datacentres and strong demand for PC chips have lifted Intel to higher profits and stronger revenue.

Intel’s profit rose 39 percent in Q4, the company announced – coming as a relief for investors after grim news from other major chipmakers that have shaken stock markets globally.

Intel reported that, despite trade tensions, it does not see any near-term weakness in the Chinese economy, despite the fact that large datacentre customers like Baidu and consumer PC factories are located there. 

Intel reported strong sales of PC chips for the second quarter in a row after years of stagnation in that business and increasing sales of iPhone modem chips.

It forecast current-quarter revenue of US$19 billion. Revenue in Intel’s client computing business, which caters to PC makers and is still the biggest contributor to sales, also rose 15.5 percent to $10.23 billion.