Nvidia has officially dethroned Apple as the world’s most valuable company, achieving this milestone on Friday after a remarkable surge in its stock price driven by soaring demand for its cutting-edge supercomputing AI chips. At one point, Nvidia’s market value soared to an impressive $3.53 trillion, just edging out Apple, which was valued at $3.52 trillion, according to data from LSEG.
Overview
Historic Shift
- Nvidia has overtaken Apple as the world’s most valuable company, with its stock market value briefly reaching $3.53 trillion, compared to Apple’s $3.52 trillion.
Stock Surge
- This milestone was achieved following a significant rally in Nvidia’s stock, driven by an increasing demand for its supercomputing AI chips.
Competitive Landscape
- In June, Nvidia had briefly held the title before being surpassed by Microsoft and Apple. The valuations of these tech giants have been closely intertwined, with Microsoft’s market value at $3.20 trillion.
October Performance
- Nvidia’s stock has risen approximately 18% in October alone, with momentum building after OpenAI announced a $6.6 billion funding round. Nvidia’s chips are essential for training AI models like GPT-4.
Strong Demand for AI Chips
- Investment director at AJ Bell, Russ Mould, emphasized the strong and growing demand for Nvidia’s chips as more companies adopt AI technologies.
Impact of TSMC’s Earnings
- Nvidia’s rally was further supported by TSMC’s (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited) impressive quarterly profit report, which highlighted a 54% jump in profits due to high demand for AI-related chips.
- Nvidia is set to report its third-quarter results in November, having previously forecasted revenue of $32.5 billion, which aligns closely with analyst expectations.
Long-term Outlook
- Morgan Stanley analyst Joseph Moore remains optimistic about Nvidia’s long-term prospects but notes that the recent stock rally raises expectations for upcoming earnings.
- After discussions with Nvidia’s CEO, Moore noted a strong ramp-up in production of next-generation Blackwell chips, which are booked out for the next 12 months.
Market Influence
- The combined weight of Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft significantly affects the technology sector and the broader U.S. stock market, accounting for roughly 20% of the S&P 500 index.
- Investor enthusiasm surrounding AI advancements, coupled with expectations of reduced interest rates from the U.S. Federal Reserve, has contributed to a surge in the S&P 500, reaching an all-time high.
- Nvidia’s stock has become popular among options traders, making it one of the most frequently traded stocks in this market segment in recent months.
Year-to-Date Performance
- Nvidia’s shares have skyrocketed nearly 190% this year, fueled by a surge in generative AI and a series of strong financial forecasts.
Investor Sentiment
- Rick Meckler, a partner at Cherry Lane Investments, raised concerns about the sustainability of revenue streams, suggesting that market sentiment might be driving stock performance more than fundamental proof of AI’s long-term viability.