Why Nvidia Just Sold Its ARM Stake — And What It Means for Both Companies

Core Insights - Nvidia has sold its stake in ARM Holdings, liquidating 1.1 million shares valued at approximately $140 million, marking a significant shift in its investment strategy [1] - The previous attempt by Nvidia to acquire ARM for $40 billion in 2020 failed due to regulatory concerns, leading to Nvidia's exit from its equity position in ARM [1] - ARM reported record revenue of $1.24 billion in Q3, a 26% year-over-year increase, although net income fell by 12% [1] Nvidia's Investment Strategy - Nvidia is focusing on larger investments, having recently invested $2 billion in Synopsys, $5 billion in Intel, and $2 billion in CoreWeave, indicating a strategic shift away from smaller stakes like ARM [1] - The sale of ARM shares is seen as a move to streamline Nvidia's investment portfolio towards more significant partnerships and opportunities [1] ARM's Market Position - ARM's royalty revenue reached $737 million, and the company aims to capture nearly 50% of CPUs deployed by top hyperscalers by 2026 [1] - Despite the growth in revenue, ARM's valuation is considered stretched, with analysts setting a price target of $147.83 against a current price of $126.93, reflecting concerns about future earnings growth [1] - ARM's licensing model allows it to benefit from the AI chip boom, but it needs to demonstrate margin expansion despite recent disappointing net income results [1]