Intel upcoming mid-quarter report will be closely watched for signs of weak back-to-school computer sales, though recent market share gains in memory chips could help offset any softness in computer microprocessor demand.
The world's largest chip maker, which is set to give a business update after the stock market closes on Thursday, has targeted about $8.9 billion in third-quarter sales. That would represent a 13 percent rise from a year-earlier.
The estimate, however, does not take into account the recent skepticism that the computer sector may have a weaker-than-normal second half because of soft back-to-school sales.
