Nvidia’s AI cash machine rolls on with US$96.2b in quarterly revenue

SAN FRANCISCO - Nvidia, the world's most valuable company, reported an AI-powered revenue surge of US$96.2 billion for the quarter ending July 26, more than double the figure from a year prior. Shares jumped nearly 5% in after-hours trading. CEO Jensen Huang described the AI infrastructure expansion as "at full steam." Revenue for the period grew 106% year-over-year and 18% from the previous quarter, exceeding analysts' expectations of around US$92 billion.

Net profit soared 126% year-over-year to US$59.7 billion, driven by significant gains from Nvidia's investments in AI companies, though gains were partially offset by US$7.8 billion in gains from those stakes. The company anticipates about US$108 billion in revenue for the current quarter, surpassing Wall Street forecasts and indicating a potential near-term slowdown in AI spending.

Nvidia's top customers, including Amazon, Microsoft, Alphabet's Google, and Meta, are projected to invest roughly US$800 billion on data centers and AI infrastructure this year, nearly double last year's total. The company's investments in startups have raised questions about circular financing, a matter addressed by CFO Colette Kress.

Nvidia has excluded its AI chip sales in China from its forecast, as Beijing has recently permitted limited quantities of its H200 processors. Despite strong earnings, Nvidia's stock growth has been slower than other chip companies and does not match the dramatic increases seen in 2023 following the launch of ChatGPT.