** Intel's INTC.O possible shift in chip manufacturing process to 14A from 18A is likely to have minimal near-term financial impact, Morgan Stanley says

** Chipmaker's shares rise 2.8% to $22.49

** Reuters reported on Tuesday CEO Lip-Bu Tan is exploring a big change to INTC's contract manufacturing business; INTC shares closed down ~4% on Wednesday

** Brokerage says, to some degree, 18A ambitions have long been scaled back and focusing away from this process likely not make any significant difference financially

** INTC's plan to make its chip factory business profitable does not rely on outside customers - brokerage

** Morgan Stanley says it is "generally pessimistic" about INTC foundry contributing to profits anytime soon

** Two of 45 brokerages rate the stock "buy" or higher, 39 "hold" and 4 "sell" or lower; their median PT is $21 - LSEG

** As of last close, stock was up ~9% this year

(Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru)

((Jaspreet.Singh@thomsonreuters.com ; https://twitter.com/i_jass))