NVIDIA Corp. faces one of its most anticipated quarterly reports on February 25, 2026, after market close, as investors scrutinize whether the AI chip leader can sustain explosive growth amid soaring expectations and a stock trading near $197 ahead of the release.
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As of February 25, 2026, NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) shares traded around $196-$197 in pre-earnings activity, up modestly from the prior close of $192.85 on February 24. The stock has gained significantly in 2026, building on 2025’s massive rally driven by AI infrastructure demand. Market capitalization exceeds $4.7 trillion, making NVIDIA the world’s most valuable company by a wide margin.
The company is scheduled to release fiscal fourth-quarter 2026 results (ended January 25, 2026) after the bell, followed by a conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET. Wall Street consensus, compiled from Bloomberg, LSEG, and other sources, projects adjusted earnings per share of $1.53 and revenue of approximately $65.9 billion to $66.2 billion—a 68% year-over-year increase from $39.3 billion in the year-ago quarter. Data center revenue, the primary growth engine, is expected to reach $60.36 billion or higher, reflecting continued hyperscaler spending on AI accelerators.
Analysts anticipate another strong beat-and-raise quarter, marking potentially the 11th consecutive period of growth exceeding 55%. Gross margins are projected at around 75%, with adjusted operating income near $44.56 billion. The report arrives at a pivotal time for the broader market, where NVIDIA’s performance has become a proxy for the AI boom’s health. A solid beat could reinforce confidence in AI infrastructure plays, while any shortfall in guidance might spark volatility across tech stocks.
CEO Jensen Huang and CFO Colette Kress are expected to provide commentary on Blackwell GPU ramp-up, demand from major cloud providers (Microsoft, Google, Meta, Amazon), and the upcoming Rubin architecture. Blackwell orders have reportedly crossed $350 billion in some estimates, with hyperscaler capex projected to hit $600 billion for 2026—much of it flowing to NVIDIA chips. The company faces scrutiny on whether AI spending remains robust or shows signs of moderation.
NVIDIA’s third-quarter fiscal 2026 results (reported November 19, 2025) set a high bar: record revenue of $57.0 billion (up 62% year-over-year), data center revenue of $51.2 billion (up 66%), and strong guidance for Q4 at $65.0 billion plus or minus 2%. That outlook has held firm, with some analysts raising estimates slightly in recent weeks.
The earnings call will also address supply chain dynamics, competition from AMD and custom silicon efforts by hyperscalers, and any updates on energy-efficient designs for next-generation AI workloads. Options markets have priced in a potential 5-6% stock swing post-earnings, reflecting the high stakes for a company whose moves often influence the S&P 500 and Nasdaq.
Analyst sentiment remains bullish overall. Consensus price targets sit well above current levels, with many firms highlighting NVIDIA’s dominance in AI accelerators and long-term secular tailwinds. However, valuation concerns persist—trading at around 41 times forward earnings in some calculations—amid worries about potential AI spending slowdowns or execution risks on Blackwell ramp.
NVIDIA’s trajectory in 2026 hinges on proving the AI supercycle endures. With the GTC 2026 event approaching in March, where major announcements are expected, the February 25 report serves as a critical checkpoint. A beat-and-raise scenario could propel shares higher, reinforcing the narrative of sustained hyperscaler demand, while any cautious guidance might trigger a pullback in a market increasingly sensitive to AI-related developments.
As the closing bell approaches, all eyes remain on NVIDIA to deliver clarity on the pace of AI infrastructure buildout and its implications for the broader tech sector.
