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NVIDIA vs. Micron: Which AI Chip Stock Is a Better Investment Option?
ZACKS· 2026-01-19 14:06
Core Insights - NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) and Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) are pivotal in the AI semiconductor ecosystem, driven by increasing demand for data center and AI computing [1] - Both companies present different risk-reward profiles for investors in the semiconductor sector [2] NVIDIA Overview - NVIDIA is central to the AI boom, with its GPUs utilized in cloud data centers and self-driving vehicles, dominating the AI infrastructure market [3] - In Q3 of fiscal 2026, NVIDIA's revenues increased by 62% year-over-year to $57 billion, and non-GAAP EPS rose by 60% to $1.30 [3] - The Data Center segment generated $51.22 billion in revenues, accounting for 89.8% of total sales, with a 66% year-over-year increase and 25% sequential growth [5] - NVIDIA's partnership with OpenAI is expected to enhance long-term demand for its GPUs, solidifying its position as a leading AI chip supplier [6] Micron Overview - Micron Technology is well-positioned for long-term growth due to its involvement in AI, high-performance data centers, and industrial IoT [7] - The company reported a 57% year-over-year revenue increase to $13.64 billion in Q1 of fiscal 2026, with non-GAAP EPS rising by 167% to $4.78 [9] - Micron's diversification strategy has led to a more stable revenue base, focusing on resilient sectors like automotive and enterprise IT [8] - Micron's HBM3E products are in high demand, with supply already sold out for 2026, indicating strong market interest [11] Growth Outlook Comparison - Micron's growth profile appears stronger in the near term, with projected fiscal 2026 revenues and EPS expected to surge by 94.7% and 297.5%, respectively, compared to NVIDIA's 92.9% revenue growth and 55.9% EPS increase [13] - Analysts are increasingly bullish on Micron, as reflected in the earnings estimate revision trends [14] Price Performance and Valuation - Over the past year, Micron's stock has surged by 243%, significantly outperforming NVIDIA's 35.2% gain [17] - Micron trades at a lower forward P/E multiple of 9.84 compared to NVIDIA's 25.78, indicating a more attractive valuation despite higher growth projections for Micron [18] Conclusion - Micron Technology is identified as the better investment option due to its higher EPS growth projection and lower valuation compared to NVIDIA [21]
NVDA vs. AMAT: Which Semiconductor Stock Is the Better Buy Now?
ZACKS· 2025-12-22 14:11
Core Insights - NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) and Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) are key players in the semiconductor and AI sectors, with NVIDIA leading in AI chip design and Applied Materials in chip manufacturing [1][2] NVIDIA (NVDA) Performance - NVIDIA's revenues surged 62% year over year to $57 billion in Q3 fiscal 2026, with earnings per share (EPS) increasing by 60% to $1.30 [3][10] - The Data Center segment generated $51.22 billion in revenues, accounting for 89.8% of total sales, marking a 66% year-over-year increase [5] - NVIDIA's new GPU architectures, Hopper 300 and Blackwell, are gaining traction, with the Blackwell Ultra and Vera Rubin platforms expected to enhance its market position [4] - A partnership with OpenAI is anticipated to drive long-term demand for NVIDIA's GPUs, reinforcing its dominance in the AI chip market [6] Applied Materials (AMAT) Performance - Applied Materials is a major manufacturer of semiconductor fabrication equipment, benefiting from strong demand in foundry-logic, DRAM, and NAND products [7] - The advanced packaging business is projected to grow from $1.5 billion to $3 billion, driven by high-bandwidth memory (HBM) demand [8] - A restructuring of the pricing program is expected to contribute to a 120-basis point gross margin expansion for fiscal 2026, allowing for increased R&D investments [9] Growth Outlook Comparison - NVIDIA's fiscal 2026 estimates indicate a revenue growth of 62% and EPS growth of 55.2%, with projections for fiscal 2027 showing further growth of 42.2% and 52.9% respectively [13][14] - In contrast, Applied Materials is expected to see only 2% revenue growth and a 1.4% EPS increase in fiscal 2026, with projections for fiscal 2027 at 10.3% and 17.9% respectively [14] Valuation and Investment Perspective - NVIDIA shares have increased by 34.7% year to date, while Applied Materials shares have risen by 57.6% [17] - On the valuation front, Applied Materials has a forward P/E of 26.18, slightly below NVIDIA's 26.54 [18] - Overall, NVIDIA is viewed as a better investment option due to stronger growth momentum and competitive advantages in AI computing [20]
NVIDIA Stock Dips 20% YTD: A Buying Opportunity Amid Market Fears
ZACKS· 2025-04-01 14:16
Core Viewpoint - NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) has experienced a significant stock decline of nearly 19.6% year to date, influenced by broader market sell-offs and trade war concerns, but the long-term outlook remains strong due to its leadership in the semiconductor industry [1][4]. Company Performance - Despite the recent market turbulence, NVIDIA's core business fundamentals are robust, maintaining its position as a leader in AI chips, data centers, gaming, and autonomous vehicles [6]. - In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, NVIDIA's revenues surged by 78% year over year, with non-GAAP EPS climbing by 71% [8]. - The company's first-quarter fiscal 2026 guidance projects revenues of $43 billion, a substantial increase from $26.04 billion in the prior-year quarter [8]. Market Position - NVIDIA's data center segment is a key growth driver, with AI-driven workloads and cloud computing expansion making its high-performance chips essential for businesses investing in AI infrastructure [7]. - Analysts forecast revenue growth of 52% for fiscal 2026 and 23% for fiscal 2027, with earnings projected to rise by 47% and 24%, respectively [9]. Technological Advancements - The company is set to launch its Blackwell Ultra and Vera Rubin platforms, which are expected to enhance its position as a leading AI infrastructure provider [12]. - NVIDIA's Blackwell architecture is anticipated to deliver up to 25 times the token throughput of its predecessor, driving the next wave of AI adoption [11]. Valuation and Investment Opportunity - The recent decline in NVDA shares has created an attractive entry point, with the stock trading at a trailing 12-month P/E ratio of 23.65, below the industry average of 26.34 [13]. - While NVIDIA commands a premium over some semiconductor companies, its valuation is justified by its superior growth trajectory and market leadership in AI and high-performance computing [16][17]. - Market corrections present opportunities for long-term investors, and NVIDIA's recent dip is viewed as a favorable moment to invest in a company shaping the future of AI and cloud computing [18][19].
Should You Buy NVIDIA Stock After Strong Q4 Earnings Results?
ZACKS· 2025-03-04 21:01
Core Insights - NVIDIA Corporation has reported impressive fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 earnings, with revenues of $39.33 billion, a 78% year-over-year increase, exceeding consensus estimates of $37.72 billion [1] - The company's Data Center segment is a significant growth driver, generating $35.58 billion in revenues, accounting for 90.5% of total sales, and reflecting a 93% year-over-year increase [3][4] - NVIDIA's strong financial performance is supported by high gross margins of 73.5% and a non-GAAP operating income of $25.52 billion, up 73% year-over-year [6] Data Center Segment - The Data Center business is crucial for NVIDIA's financial strength, with a 93% year-over-year revenue increase driven by AI workload adoption [3][5] - Large cloud service providers contributed nearly 50% of Data Center revenues, indicating robust investment in AI infrastructure [4] - The demand for NVIDIA's Hopper 200 and Blackwell GPU platforms is a key factor in this growth [4] Financial Performance - NVIDIA reported non-GAAP gross margins of 73.5%, showcasing strong profitability despite rising operational costs [6] - The company ended the fourth quarter with $43.2 billion in cash and marketable securities, up from $38.4 billion in the previous quarter, allowing for reinvestment and shareholder returns [7] AI Momentum - The company is positioned to benefit from the accelerating adoption of AI across various industries, with a focus on reasoning AI models requiring higher computational power [8] - Upcoming launches of the Blackwell Ultra and Vera Rubin platforms are expected to enhance NVIDIA's technological advantage [9] - NVIDIA's diversification into emerging AI applications, such as enterprise AI and autonomous vehicles, supports long-term growth potential [11] Future Guidance - For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, NVIDIA projects revenues of $43 billion, indicating continued momentum in AI demand, with gross margins expected to remain strong at 71% [10] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for first-quarter revenues is $43.28 billion, reflecting a 66.2% year-over-year growth [12] Stock Valuation - Despite strong fundamentals, NVIDIA shares have declined 14.6% year-to-date due to broader market volatility, presenting a potential buying opportunity [13][16] - The stock trades at a trailing 12-month P/E ratio of 26.29, below the industry average of 28.42, indicating a relative discount [16] Conclusion - NVIDIA's strong fourth-quarter results and optimistic outlook for fiscal 2026 reinforce its leadership in AI-driven computing and data center markets, making it a compelling investment opportunity [19]