AMD vs Intel vs Nvidia: September 2026 Performance and October Outlook

September was a big month for chip stocks, though the gains were far from even. Using daily closing prices from our AMD vs INTC vs NVDA comparison, here is how the three semiconductor heavyweights stacked up and what that means heading into October.

September Scorecard

• Intel (INTC): +34.3%, from $89.51 on August 31 to $120.23 on September 30.
• AMD (AMD): +30.0%, from $470.72 to $611.76.
• Nvidia (NVDA): +3.4%, from $220.78 to $228.38.

Intel took the monthly crown, but the ride was rough. Its daily moves had a standard deviation of 4.6%, ranging from a 12.1% single-day gain on September 21 to a 5.7% drop on September 28. It finished the month 5.6% below its September 24 closing high of $127.39.

AMD delivered almost the same return with less turbulence, at a 3.5% daily standard deviation. It broke out mid-month, jumped 9.95% on September 21 alongside Intel, set a closing high of $630.63 on September 25 and ended just 3% below that level.

Nvidia was the outlier. It slipped to $210.96 on September 14 before recovering, and its daily swings averaged only 1.7%. It closed near the top of its monthly range but barely moved compared with its rivals.

What the Numbers Suggest for October

AMD has the best-balanced setup. It pairs strong momentum with a shallow pullback and trades within about 5% of its 52-week high near $639. Stocks that hold near the top of their range often attract follow-through buying, although a 30% month also leaves room for profit-taking.

Intel is the high-risk, high-reward pick. Its rally was the biggest, but the late-month fade shows traders are already locking in gains. Investors comfortable with sharp daily swings may treat the pullback as an entry point, while others may prefer to wait for the price to settle.

Nvidia is the steady option. After a flat September it sits within about 3% of its 52-week high of $236.54 and has the lowest volatility of the three. If money rotates out of September's winners, Nvidia is the most likely candidate for a catch-up move.

AMD and Intel have historically reported third-quarter earnings in late October, which can move both stocks sharply in either direction.

The Bottom Line

Intel won September on raw return, but AMD earned the better risk-adjusted result and enters October with the stronger setup. Nvidia suits investors who value stability over speed. Track all three on our side-by-side comparison page.

This article is based on historical price data and is for informational purposes only. It is not investment advice.