Nvidia(US:NVDA) Yahoo Finance·2025-12-08 20:05Core Insights - Nvidia is facing pressure from investors regarding its cash management strategy, particularly after announcing significant investments totaling $18 billion in 2023, including a $2 billion stake in Synopsys and a planned $100 billion purchase of OpenAI shares [1][4] - The company has seen a substantial increase in cash reserves, rising from $13.3 billion in January 2023 to $60.6 billion by the end of the third quarter, prompting discussions on whether to prioritize stock buybacks, dividends, or further investments [4][6] - Nvidia's stock has shown a year-to-date increase of 37%, but analysts suggest it may continue to consolidate around current levels without clear bullish momentum [2] Financial Performance - Nvidia's market capitalization is currently at $4.43 trillion, making it the most valuable company globally [3] - The company returned $37 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends in the first nine months of fiscal 2026, with $62.2 billion remaining under its share repurchase authorization [5] - Analysts project Nvidia will generate $96.85 billion in free cash flow this year and $576 billion over the next three years, indicating strong financial health [7] Investment Strategy - Nvidia is prioritizing stock buybacks over dividends, with a minimal quarterly dividend of $0.01 per share, resulting in a yield of just 0.02% [6] - The company has increased its R&D expenses by 38.6% year-over-year to $4.7 billion in the third quarter, while also investing $8.2 billion in private companies [8] - Critics argue for more focus on R&D and strategic acquisitions, but Nvidia's management believes current investments and buybacks are the most logical use of capital [9] Analyst Outlook - Wall Street analysts maintain a positive outlook on Nvidia, with 44 out of 48 analysts rating it a "Strong Buy" and an average price target of $252.67, suggesting a 37% upside potential from current levels [10]