Nvidia is set to report its third-quarter earnings, and all eyes are on the company’s ability to sustain its impressive growth trajectory. Investors are particularly interested in the demand for Nvidia’s next-generation Blackwell chip, which is crucial for the company’s future expansion.
Key Points
Dominance in AI Chips: Nvidia continues to hold a commanding 80% share of the AI chip market, driven by its GPUs, which are essential for generative AI applications.
Growth Expectations: Analysts are curious whether Nvidia can maintain its rapid growth, especially as the AI boom enters its third year. The company’s market cap is a staggering $3.5 trillion, reflecting its significant impact on the tech industry.
Blackwell Chip’s Role: The upcoming Blackwell chip is pivotal. It’s already being shipped to major players like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is expected to provide updates on its demand and address any potential issues, such as overheating.
Projected Sales: Nvidia anticipates billions in sales from Blackwell in the January quarter. Analysts like Raymond James’ Srini Pajjuri have set expectations for shipments around 100,000 units, which is at the lower end of investor hopes.
Financial Outlook
Nvidia’s stock has soared nearly 19% since its last earnings report, with its share price multiplying eightfold since the release of ChatGPT in late 2022. The company’s forward price-to-earnings ratio is just under 50.
Revenue Projections: Analysts expect Nvidia to report $33.12 billion in revenue, marking an 83% increase year-over-year. Earnings per share are anticipated to be 75 cents.
Data Center Dominance: The data center segment, which accounts for 88% of Nvidia’s sales, remains the primary growth driver, overshadowing its gaming and automotive businesses.
Challenges and Opportunities: While the gaming sector faces declines, and automotive remains small, the focus remains on data centers. As long as this segment thrives, Nvidia is likely to continue its upward trajectory.