Key Points
Intel demonstrates greater absolute strength with its larger total revenue base across all tracked reporting periods, while ARM shows higher comparative percentage growth.
Intel experienced relatively stable quarter-over-quarter revenue for several consecutive periods before recording an upward shift toward the end of the timeline, whereas ARM maintained a consistent and steady upward quarter-over-quarter growth trajectory.
Investors should watch whether the revenue gap between the two companies continues to widen or eventually begins to narrow in upcoming quarters, monitoring how their respective financial trajectories, baseline totals, and underlying business growth rates continue to evolve.
ARM: Maintaining a Steady Upward Trend in Quarterly Revenue
ARM (NASDAQ:ARM) primarily generates its revenue by conceptualizing, engineering, and licensing core computer processing unit designs alongside complementary technology solutions.
During the evaluated window, it expanded its operational business into selling production silicon directly to external customers instead of relying entirely on its historical licensing model, and it also formally announced a joint research and development agreement with Samsung Electronics to produce next-generation customized systems-on-chips for smartphones and other terminal consumer devices.
Intel: Recording High Absolute Revenue With a Recent Jump
Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) earns most of its overall revenue by designing, manufacturing, and selling various computing and related end products.
It officially appointed a new chief sales officer to manage global sales operations across its entire integrated product portfolio, while simultaneously completing an upsized $20 billion public offering of common stock to fund new financial investments across its broader manufacturing base.
Why Revenue Matters for Investors
Tracking revenue allows investors to see exactly how much money a business earns. This metric helps investors measure a company's overall size, market footprint, and long-term trajectory.
Analyzing the Quarterly Revenue for ARM and Intel
| Calendar quarter | ARM Revenue | Intel Revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Q3 2024 | $844.0 million (quarter ended Sept. 30, 2024) | $13.3 billion (quarter ended Sept. 28, 2024) |
| Q4 2024 | $983.0 million (quarter ended Dec. 31, 2024) | $14.3 billion (quarter ended Dec. 28, 2024) |
| Q1 2025 | $1.2 billion (quarter ended March 31, 2025) | $12.7 billion (quarter ended March 29, 2025) |
| Q2 2025 | $1.1 billion (quarter ended June 30, 2025) | $12.9 billion (quarter ended June 28, 2025) |
| Q3 2025 | $1.1 billion (quarter ended Sept. 30, 2025) | $13.7 billion (quarter ended Sept. 27, 2025) |
| Q4 2025 | $1.2 billion (quarter ended Dec. 31, 2025) | $13.7 billion (quarter ended Dec. 27, 2025) |
| Q1 2026 | $1.5 billion (quarter ended March 31, 2026) | $13.6 billion (quarter ended March 28, 2026) |
| Q2 2026 | $1.3 billion (quarter ended June 30, 2026) | $16.1 billion (quarter ended June 27, 2026) |
Data source: Financial Modeling Prep. Data as of Sept. 21, 2026.
Foolish Take
Examining the revenue trends for ARM and Intel reveal how the two semiconductor companies have evolved in recent quarters. Intel struggled to consistently grow sales despite the artificial intelligence boom until Lip-Bu Tan took over the CEO spot in 2025. His turnaround efforts have shown results in 2026.
In Intel's fiscal second quarter, ended June 27, its $16.1 billion in revenue represented a substantial 25% year-over-year increase. This is an acceleration of the 7% year-over-year growth experienced in fiscal Q1, and demonstrates the veteran chipmaker is successfully capturing AI customers.
ARM has been a dominant player in mobile devices for years, and that has buoyed its revenue, as seen in its steadily rising year-over-year growth. With the rise of AI, the company has expanded to delivering AI-optimized CPUs for data centers. In its fiscal first quarter, ended June 30, its $1.3 billion represented a 22% year-over-year sales increase. ARM expects revenue to continue rising with a forecast of $1.4 billion for its fiscal Q2.
Robert Izquierdo has positions in Arm Holdings and Intel. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Arm Holdings and Intel. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.