Published Date : 26/06/2025
For more than two years, no trend has been held in higher regard on Wall Street than the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI). With AI, software and systems are capable of making split-second decisions, overseeing generative AI solutions, and training large language models (LLMs), all without the need for human oversight. The long-term potential for this game-changing technology is truly jaw-dropping. If the analysts at PwC are correct, a combination of consumption-side effects and productivity improvements from AI will add $15.7 trillion to the global economy by the turn of the decade.
Although a long list of hardware and software/system application companies have benefited immensely from the AI revolution, none stands out more than tech titan Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA). But what you might be surprised to learn is that this highly influential AI company has scored a $4 billion 'profit' in an uncharacteristic manner.
It took less than two years for Nvidia to catapult from a $360 billion market cap to (briefly) the world's largest public company, with a valuation that handily surpassed $3.5 trillion. A $3 trillion-plus increase in valuation in such a short time frame had never been witnessed before. Nvidia's claim to fame is its Hopper (H100) and next-generation Blackwell graphics processing units (GPUs), which are the undisputed top options deployed in AI-accelerated data centers. Orders for both chips have been extensively backlogged, despite the efforts of world-leading chip fabrication company Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing to boost its chip-on-wafer-on-substrate monthly wafer capacity.
When demand for a good or service outstrips its supply, the law of supply and demand states that prices will climb until demand tapers. Whereas direct rival Advanced Micro Devices was netting anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000 for its Instinct MI300X AI-accelerating chip early last year, Nvidia's Hopper chips were commanding a price point that topped $40,000. The ability to charge a premium for its AI hardware, due to a combination of strong demand and persistent AI-GPU scarcity, helped push Nvidia's gross margin into the 70% range.
However, Nvidia's success extends beyond its hardware sales. The company has also been a savvy investor, with a portfolio of six stocks worth more than $1.1 billion at the end of March. Nvidia's largest investment holding has rapidly climbed in value, but some analysts warn that it may already be in a bubble. Despite these concerns, the company's strategic investments have contributed significantly to its $4 billion profit, demonstrating its multifaceted approach to capitalizing on the AI market.
Nvidia's success in both hardware and investment highlights the company's forward-thinking approach and its ability to adapt to the rapidly evolving AI landscape. As the demand for AI solutions continues to grow, Nvidia's position as a leader in both the development and investment in AI technology is likely to remain strong.
Q: What is Nvidia's main contribution to the AI market?
A: Nvidia's main contribution to the AI market is its high-performance GPUs, particularly the Hopper (H100) and next-generation Blackwell chips, which are widely used in AI-accelerated data centers.
Q: How did Nvidia achieve a $4 billion profit?
A: Nvidia achieved a $4 billion profit through a combination of its high-margin GPU sales and strategic investments in AI-related stocks.
Q: What is the projected impact of AI on the global economy?
A: According to PwC, the combination of consumption-side effects and productivity improvements from AI is expected to add $15.7 trillion to the global economy by the turn of the decade.
Q: Who is Nvidia's main competitor in the AI hardware market?
A: Nvidia's main competitor in the AI hardware market is Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), which offers the Instinct MI300X AI-accelerating chip.
Q: What is the current market valuation of Nvidia?
A: Nvidia's market valuation has grown significantly, briefly surpassing $3.5 trillion, marking a $3 trillion-plus increase in valuation in less than two years.