By Noel Randewich
Nvidia's strong quarterly revenue forecast delivered on Wall Street's high expectations on Wednesday, sparking gains in a range of AI-related stocks and giving a jolt to a stalled out U.S. stock market recovery.
Nvidia's stock jumped nearly 10% after the bell to trade at $516, its highest level ever, lifting its stock market value by about $110 billion to $1.27 trillion and extending its lead as the world's most valuable chipmaker.
That came after Santa Clara, California company gave a fiscal third-quarter revenue outlook above analysts' expectations, boosted by soaring demand for its high-end chips that power much of the world's major artificial intelligence technology.
Investors this week had anticipated Nvidia's report as a potential spark to reignite gains in a sluggish U.s. stock market.
Nvidia's shares have more than tripled this year, with the chipmaker at the center of a tech-stock rally fueled by optimism about the potential of AI.
"Without Nvidia, the sustained tech market rally we're seeing might not exist," said Insider Intelligence senior analyst Jacob Bourne. "The pressing question is whether Nvidia can consistently exceed the now-higher expectations."
Nvidia's strong forecast on Wednesday added to investor optimism. Big Tech and AI-related stocks saw their stock market values increase by over $70 billion, on top of Nvidia's increased value, as their shares climbed following the report.
In extended trade, Microsoft and Meta Platforms added over 2%, while Google-owner Alphabet added nearly 1%. Microsoft and Alphabet have are rushing to incorporate generative AI into their Web search platforms and other services.
AI software maker C3.ai jumped 5.6% and Palantir Technologies PLTR.N>, which recently launched its own AI platform, rose almost 5%.
AI-related component makers also rallied, with Advanced Micro Devices and Broadcom both up over 3%, Marvell Technology climbing 5% and Super Micro Computer rallying over 8%.
Nvidia forecast third-quarter revenue of about $16 billion, plus or minus 2%. Analysts polled by Refinitiv on average were expecting $12.61 billion.
(Reporting by Noel Randewich; Editing by David Gregorio)