Intel rises as report of chipmaker exploring options cheers glum investors

Intel’s shares rose more than 3% in early trading on Friday, as a report of the struggling chipmaker exploring options that could include a merger or a split induced some investor enthusiasm after one of the stock’s worst slumps in decades.

The company is working with investment bankers and considering various options such as separating its flagship product business from its money-losing manufacturing unit, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday.