SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Intel Corp.'s profit leaped 51 percent as sales of microprocessors accelerated in the fourth quarter, but the world's largest semiconductor company's stock plunged after hours because the results fell short of Wall Street's expectations.

Intel shares plummeted more than 14 percent, falling by $3.23 to $19.46 after the results were released. During regular-session trading, Intel they had lost 39 cents, or 1.7 percent, to close at $22.69.