Nvidia Results Overview - Summary
Date: 21 May 2026
Author: Kathleen Brooks, Research Director UK
Key Takeaways
- Record-breaking revenues and forecasts were the highlight of Nvidia's latest earnings report.
- Despite rising costs and increased shareholder returns, the stock experienced a mild sell-off in after-hours trading.
- Investor concerns linger regarding Nvidia's competitors and its concentrated customer base.
- The stock price may react more significantly once the initial reactions to the earnings report settle.
Financial Performance
Nvidia reported record revenues of $81.6 billion for the first quarter, marking an 85% increase year-over-year. The majority of this revenue, $75.2 billion, came from data centers, which saw more than a doubling of revenue compared to the previous year. Forecasts for the second quarter suggest revenues could exceed $91 billion, surpassing Wall Street expectations and doubling the figures from Q2 2025.
Market Reaction
Despite the impressive results, Nvidia's stock saw a mild sell-off post-report. Investors have become accustomed to high revenue figures, and the stock had already rallied 1.5% prior to the earnings announcement. Year-to-date, Nvidia's stock is up 17%, outperforming the S&P 500 and other major tech stocks.
Cost and Margins
Gross margins remained stable at 75%, but operating costs rose by 50% compared to the previous year. This increase in costs has raised concerns among investors, although it is overshadowed by the significant revenue growth.
AI and Future Prospects
CEO Jensen Huang emphasized Nvidia's pivotal role in the AI revolution, claiming it is the only platform that operates across all clouds and supports every open-source model. However, there are concerns about Nvidia's funding model, which relies on investments in companies that use its products.
Shareholder Returns
Nvidia increased its dividend from $0.01 to $0.25 per share and expanded its share buyback program by $80 billion, totaling $118.5 billion. While this move is seen as a positive for shareholders, it raises questions about the company's innovation potential moving forward.
Investor Concerns
Investors are cautious due to two main factors: the potential stifling of innovation due to increased shareholder returns and Nvidia's heavy reliance on a narrow customer base, particularly hyperscalers, which accounted for over half of its data center revenue. The lack of new customer announcements has disappointed analysts who expected a broader enterprise customer base.
Conclusion
While Nvidia's earnings report confirms its status as a cash-generating powerhouse, the company faces challenges in maintaining its valuation of over $5.412 trillion. Investors are looking for clearer guidance on future growth and customer diversification, which could limit the stock's upside in the near term.
Market Outlook
The initial market reaction has been mild, with the stock down less than 1%. However, volatility is expected as the market digests the earnings report and considers Nvidia's future trajectory.