Overnight, tech giant NVIDIA released its earnings report for the second quarter FY26. The results exceeded analyst expectations, despite increased pressure on the company following uncertainty about its Chinese business and growing concerns that the AI bubble is about to burst.
For instance, NVIDIA’s revenue came in at $46.74 billion – up 56% from a year ago and beating the predicted revenue by $0.69 billion – while earnings per share exceeded the $1.05 mark.
However, following the announcement of its Q2 earnings, NVIDIA’s share price fell by nearly 3% in after-hours trading on Wednesday (27th August). But why did this happen?
Kate Leaman, Chief Market Analyst at AvaTrade, comments on what caused NVIDIA’s stock to dip following its quarterly earnings, as well as what the results mean for investors.
“NVIDIA just posted another monster quarter – revenue and earnings per share exceeded expectations, while the company also announced a jaw-dropping $60 billion share buyback. That’s the kind of signal markets usually love as it says, ‘We’re confident. We’re here to stay’.
“But the stock still dipped after hours – so, what caused this? The mild stock dip wasn’t about failure; rather, it was about expectations. With options traders pricing in a 6% swing, anything short of perfect was going to invite second-guessing. That’s what happens when you’re a $2 trillion AI titan. The bar is just that high. Right now, the market is looking past the headlines. Investors want to know not just how NVIDIA performed, but how clearly it can chart the future.
“Yes, the core business is still booming. Demand for AI chips remains intense. NVIDIA’s data centre segment, powered by its new Blackwell chips, rose 17% from last quarter and 56% year-over-year. That’s huge. It shows NVIDIA is still the beating heart of global AI infrastructure.
“But there are clouds. NVIDIA didn’t ship any of its H20 chips to China this quarter. Export restrictions are biting. Management said if those rules ease, it could add $2 to $5 billion in sales next quarter. But that’s a big ‘if’. Markets don’t like uncertainty, especially with geopolitics in the mix.
“So, what does all this mean for investors? First, the big picture is still intact. NVIDIA’s results support the idea that AI infrastructure is the next long-term growth engine. It’s good news for chipmakers, Cloud providers, and even more speculative AI plays. This is a rising tide moment.
“But there’s also a caution flag. China’s situation is a reminder that no matter how strong a company is, macro forces still matter – regulation, trade tensions, and global politics are now part of the equation.
“In the end, NVIDIA didn’t disappoint. It delivered. But it also reminded the market of something important: dominance comes with pressure. When you’re leading the AI revolution, every quarter isn’t just about results, but also about keeping the entire ecosystem believing in your story. This is a moment to step back, reassess, and remember that while AI is still in its early innings, NVIDIA continues to call the plays.”
