European shares fall as Nvidia CEO’s exit raises doubts over AI boom

Nvidia shares have reached a level comparable to 12 times expected earnings, marking its lowest valuation in 14 years. The chipmaker's stock has plummeted from its October 6 record high, following a series of setbacks. CEO Jensen Huang recently resigned, and the stock has dropped by over 5% in response. Furthermore, a scandal involving alleged extramarital affairs has added to investor concerns, with Nvidia's shares down about 12% this week.

Colette Kress has taken on the role of interim CEO, as the company searches for a permanent replacement. However, the primary issue troubling investors is Nvidia's potential slowdown in the AI data center sector. The company's GPUs have been instrumental in the AI boom, so this setback is of significant concern. Analyst Erik Kratz notes that while Nvidia's recent drop may be attributed to the CEO's departure rather than a decrease in demand for GPUs, historical trends suggest that stocks often take time to find a bottom after an abrupt CEO exit.

Nvidia is set to report quarterly earnings on Tuesday, and investors are closely monitoring the outcome. The company's forecasted strong profit growth, with a projected 92% surge in October-quarter revenue and a net profit 89% higher year-over-year, has generally maintained support for its stock. However, this could change following the earnings release. Analysts are currently expecting Nvidia to report an 89% increase in net profit, amounting to over $60 billion.

Despite the recent drop in Nvidia's share price, analysts have maintained their forecasts for strong future earnings. This trend suggests that demand for Nvidia's chips is outpacing supply, which could potentially offset the negative impact of the company's current challenges. Investors will be keenly awaiting Kress's assessment of Nvidia's outlook, as it may ultimately outweigh the immediate concerns surrounding the CEO's resignation and the AI sector slowdown.