Futubull Finance APP learned that the sudden departure of Intel (INTC.US) CEO Pat Gelsinger provides a new opportunity for this struggling company to consider potential trade options, including some trade options that Pat Gelsinger rejected during his tenure at this chip maker.

It is reported that Intel's board of directors has been discussing a series of possibilities in recent months, including private equity trades and even splitting Intel's chip manufacturing and chip design business. Pat Gelsinger opposed the split and instead focused on restoring Intel's technological edge.

Pat Gelsinger's departure may signal an opportunity to restart discussions. Bloomberg Intelligence analysts Kunjan Sobhani and Oscar Hernandez Tejada said: "The leadership change at Intel increases the possibility of asset divestiture. Pat Gelsinger adamantly opposed splitting the company, but the long and expensive transformation plan is testing shareholders' patience and may force Intel to reconsider."

Intel announced a disappointing financial report at the beginning of August, highlighting the many unfavorable factors Intel faces as it strives to achieve ambitious transformation and compete in the era of artificial intelligence. Intel's board of directors evaluated various scenarios at a critical meeting in September, including the idea of splitting the company. However, Intel has since pursued some less radical changes, including suspending factory construction in Poland and Germany. The company also laid off approximately 0.015 million people and temporarily halted dividends, a move that appears to be part of the company's efforts to conserve cash and get its transformation plan back on track.

If Intel's new CEO continues to push for larger restructuring, the company may reconsider trade options:

1. Split the chip manufacturing and design departments

Under Pat Gelsinger's leadership, Intel has been working to expand its manufacturing business to compete with Taiwan Semiconductor. The focus of the chip manufacturing business is to produce complex semiconductors designed by customer companies, a business that requires billions of dollars, but the problem is that Intel not only lags behind competitors in manufacturing advanced chips - and the capacity for manufacturing advanced chips is not sufficient to make the manufacturing business profitable, but also is losing ground in some fundamental areas. This business has incurred huge losses this year.

While intel may find a buyer for its chip design department, the chip manufacturing business will be a hot potato. The largest chip foundry in the usa is GlobalFoundries (GFS.US), but the company also faces its own dilemmas - lacking both funds and experience in operating the advanced chip manufacturing business targeted by intel.

It's also unclear whether the new intel CEO or other members of the board of directors are prepared to split up this company that once dominated the chip industry. If intel is ultimately broken up, it will complicate the company's ability to obtain $7.9 billion in federal funding under the American Chips and Science Act.

2. Attracting Qualcomm and other suitors

It was previously reported that Qualcomm (QCOM.US) had been in talks with Intel to discuss possible acquisitions. However, according to insiders last week, Qualcomm's interest in acquiring Intel has cooled, as the complexity of acquiring all of Intel's operations has reduced the appeal of this deal to Qualcomm. Insiders added that Qualcomm may shift its focus to some of Intel's businesses, or reignite interest later.

Qualcomm may consider acquiring intel's chip design business. Like many companies in the chip industry, Qualcomm does not produce chips themselves, but relies on partners like Taiwan Semiconductor. That's why Qualcomm is unlikely to be interested in intel's chip manufacturing business.

There were reports that Broadcom (AVGO.US) had previously evaluated a potential bid for intel, but did not pursue negotiations. Any major chip company merger will face regulatory hurdles around the world, a fact that Qualcomm and Broadcom are well aware of.

3. Selling Altera

Intel may also choose to sell its programmable chip division, Altera. Intel acquired Altera in 2015 and spun off its business last year in a quest for an IPO. Altera has been affected by weak spending from telecommunications companies. Intel management has stated that Altera needs to produce more of the latest chips to regain market share.

Francisco Partners, Bain Capital, and Silver Lake Management, among others, have been studying the proposal to invest in Altera. However, last month's report stated that Lattice Semiconductor Corp. is considering acquiring the entire Altera. Insiders say Lattice is working with advisors and seeking private equity support to explore potential acquisition.

Regardless of whether this deal can proceed, under the leadership of Intel's new CEO, the idea of selling the entire Altera may have new motivation.

4. Investments from Apollo

In September this year, according to sources, Apollo Global Management (APO.US) offered to invest billions of dollars in Intel. A source said that Apollo Global Management implied a willingness to make up to $5 billion in private equity investments in Intel.

It is worth mentioning that the two companies have already established a partnership. Intel agreed in June to sell its joint venture stake in a factory in Ireland to Apollo Global Management for $11 billion, providing more external funds for its large-scale expansion of the factory network.

5. Mobileye-related Transactions

Intel acquired the autonomous driving technology company Mobileye (MBLY.US) in 2017. Despite the company going public in 2022, Intel still owns a majority of its shares. While Intel stated in September that it is currently not planning to divest a majority of its stake in Mobileye, under the leadership of the new CEO, this situation could change.

Insiders suggest that Intel may sell some of its Mobileye shares on the public market, or sell directly to a single buyer. However, in any case, this is unlikely to be a successful investment for Intel, as the company paid around $15 billion for Mobileye, while the latter's current market cap is $14.1 billion.