Nvidia's Earnings Stumble Sparks Investor Jitters Amidst Rapid Growth and Chip Expansion Plans
This week, global market attention turned to Nvidia, especially as it released its highly anticipated earnings report. As a top global valuation company, Nvidia's financial disclosures serve as a market barometer, with potential ripple effects across the tech sector and broader global markets. Investors are concerned about whether the nearly triple-digit growth in Nvidia's stock can be sustained and just how much room remains for its stock prices to appreciate.
While market expectations suggested that Nvidia would exceed earnings for the fifth consecutive quarter, the company's results post-market showed a downturn. Nvidia's shares dropped around 5% following the earnings announcement, despite a partial recovery as the market closed. The earnings report revealed that although Nvidia's revenue guidance for the upcoming quarter still surpassed Wall Street's average estimates, it fell short of the high-end expectations from some analysts.
In its third fiscal quarter of 2025, which ended on October 27, 2024, Nvidia's revenue was $350.8 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 94%. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) reached $0.81, surpassing analyst expectations of $0.74. Despite these figures being above estimates, the growth pace has decelerated, a sentiment causing some investor apprehension.
One focal point from the earnings discussion was the anticipated release of Nvidia's Blackwell chips. Expected to roll out by the fourth quarter of this fiscal year, these chips are projected to drive substantial revenue, with figures potentially in the billions, according to CFO Colette Kress. Despite some delay previously due to design flaws, Nvidia has now increased production efficiency for Blackwell chips.
Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, Nvidia forecasts a revenue figure of $375 billion, with a margin of 2% above or below. This guidance suggests a potential year-over-year revenue growth of 70%, though still beneath the anticipative high marks set by some investors, who projected as much as a 90% increase.
Nvidia's CEO, Jensen Huang, expressed strong confidence in both Hopper and upcoming Blackwell chips, highlighting unprecedented demand and the company's aggressive production plans. Despite recent reports about heat issues with Blackwell chips delaying deployment, Huang assured investors and analysts of the company's dedication to delivering more units than previously expected this quarter.
As Nvidia enters a period of uncertainty regarding chip demand and market expectations, the next few quarters will be critical in addressing investor sentiment and aligning with analyst expectations. Nvidia's ongoing strategies to enhance chip production and manage supply constraints will play a significant role in its future performance and market position.