Honestly, if you're looking up the intl stock price today, you’ve probably run into a bit of a naming mess. Wall Street loves its acronyms, but sometimes they trip over each other.
The "INTL" ticker actually belongs to the Main International ETF, a fund that tracks a whole basket of overseas companies. But here’s the thing: half the people typing that into Google are actually looking for Intel (INTC) or maybe even the potash giant Intrepid Potash (IPI).
Since today is Sunday, January 18, 2026, the markets are closed. You aren't going to see those little green and red candles flickering in real-time right now. But the "after-hours" and Friday closing data tell a massive story about where we are heading into this third week of January.
The Real Numbers: What happened on Friday?
The Main International ETF (INTL) wrapped up Friday, January 16, at $28.87. It’s been a weirdly steady climber, up about 2.2% over the last few weeks. While the US tech sector has been sweating bullets over interest rate uncertainty, this international fund has been a bit of a haven. It hit a 52-week high of $29.13 just a few days ago.
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But let’s be real. Most of you are probably here because of the other "Intl"—the semiconductor king.
Intel (INTC) had a rough Friday. It slid 2.81% to close at $46.96. It’s a classic "buy the rumor, sell the news" situation. Intel is gearing up for its Q4 2025 earnings report this coming Thursday, January 22. Investors are nervous. They’re biting their nails over whether the new "Panther Lake" chips are actually going to save the company's bottom line or if it's all just marketing hype.
A quick look at the "Intl" landscape today:
- INTL (The ETF): $28.87. It’s boring, it’s stable, and it’s for people who don't want to lose sleep.
- INTC (Intel Corp): $46.96. High drama. High volume (over 127 million shares traded on Friday!).
- IPI (Intrepid Potash): $33.26. This one is for the "materials" crowd. It dropped over 3% on Friday after a massive rally earlier in the month.
Why is everyone obsessed with Intel right now?
Basically, Intel is trying to pull off the greatest comeback in tech history. For years, they were the "old man" of chips, getting lapped by Nvidia and AMD. But 2025 was a huge turnaround year for them—the stock surged over 80%.
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Now, in January 2026, we are seeing the "Panther Lake" rollout. These chips are built on the Intel 18A process. If you aren't a chip nerd, all you need to know is that 18A is Intel's "make or break" technology. If it works, Intel becomes a manufacturing powerhouse again. If it fails? Well, that $46 price tag is going to look very expensive, very fast.
The consensus among analysts like the folks at Zacks is actually pretty optimistic. They’re predicting an earnings beat on Thursday. But the market is a fickle beast. Even with a "Strong Buy" vibe from some corners, the rising Treasury yields are making tech stocks look risky. When the 10-year Treasury note climbs, people start pulling money out of "growth" stocks like Intel and dumping it into safer bets.
What's actually driving the price?
You've gotta look at the macro stuff. It isn't just about chips or potash.
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- The Fed's "Guided" Rates: The Federal Reserve has been playing a game of cat and mouse with inflation. We're seeing "sticky" inflation around 3%. That means interest rates aren't dropping as fast as we hoped.
- The AI Polarization: There is a massive "chasm" right now. On one side, you have chip makers (Micron, Broadcom, Intel) who are winning because of AI data centers. On the other side, software companies are getting crushed because people are afraid AI will replace their products.
- Global Resilience: J.P. Morgan recently put out a note saying they expect double-digit gains for global equities in 2026. That’s why the INTL ETF is actually holding up so well compared to some US-centric tech funds.
How to play the "INTL" volatility this week
If you are holding the Main International ETF (INTL), honestly, just keep doing what you're doing. It’s a diversified play on the global economy.
But if you are playing the Intel (INTC) game, you need to be careful. Thursday is the big day.
Next Steps for Investors:
- Check the Earnings Whisper: Before the market opens on Monday, look at the "Earnings ESP" for INTC. Right now, it’s sitting at a positive +17.39%, which is a great sign for a potential "beat."
- Watch the 18A News: Any leaked benchmarks for Panther Lake laptops this week will move the needle more than any financial spreadsheet will.
- Diversify into Materials: If the tech volatility is too much, look at the "other" Intl—Intrepid Potash (IPI). It’s a materials play that often moves in the opposite direction of the tech-heavy Nasdaq.
Market opens at 9:30 AM ET tomorrow. Get some coffee ready. It’s going to be a loud week.