Kristina Roberts
Nvidia, the company known for making powerful computer chips used in artificial intelligence (AI), almost became the most valuable company in history. For a short time on Thursday, its total market value reached an incredible $3.92 trillion, which is more money than the entire stock markets of Canada and Mexico combined. This briefly put Nvidia ahead of Apple, which had previously held the record with a market value of $3.915 trillion in December 2024.
The rise in Nvidia’s stock price shows just how important AI has become in the tech world. Big companies like Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, Alphabet (Google’s parent company), and Tesla are all racing to build advanced AI systems, and they need Nvidia’s high-performance chips to do it. Because of this huge demand, Nvidia’s value has skyrocketed, making it one of the most powerful companies in the world.
During morning trading, Nvidia’s shares went up by 2.4%, reaching $160.98 per share. This pushed its total market capitalization—the total value of all its shares—above Apple’s previous record. However, by the end of the day, Nvidia’s stock settled at $159.60, bringing its market value down slightly to $3.89 trillion. Even though it didn’t hold the top spot for long, this milestone shows how quickly Nvidia has grown. Just a few years ago, it was mainly known for making graphics cards for video games, but now it is at the center of the AI revolution.
Microsoft, another tech giant, is currently the second-most valuable company in the US, with a market value of $3.7 trillion. Its shares also went up by 1.7%, reaching $499.56. Apple, now in third place, saw its shares rise by 0.8%, giving it a market value of $3.19 trillion. These three companies—Nvidia, Microsoft, and Apple—are now the biggest players in the stock market, thanks to their roles in AI, software, and consumer technology.
Nvidia’s success comes from its advanced AI chips, which are used to train large AI models. These models power everything from chatbots to self-driving cars, and companies around the world are buying Nvidia’s processors as fast as they can. The company’s CEO, Jensen Huang, has become one of the most influential leaders in tech, guiding Nvidia through this incredible growth.
The competition among tech companies to dominate AI is fierce. Microsoft, Amazon, and Google are all investing billions in AI data centers, and Nvidia’s chips are a crucial part of that race. Even Tesla, which is best known for electric cars, relies on Nvidia’s technology for its AI-powered self-driving systems. With so much demand, Nvidia’s sales and profits have exploded, making it one of the fastest-growing companies in history.
Some experts warn that Nvidia’s rapid rise could slow down if other companies start making their own AI chips or if demand for AI technology cools off. But for now, Nvidia remains the undisputed leader in the AI chip market, and its stock continues to climb. Investors are betting that AI will keep growing, and Nvidia will keep benefiting from that growth.
The stock market is always changing, and companies rise and fall in value all the time. But Nvidia’s journey from a gaming graphics company to a trillion-dollar AI giant is one of the most remarkable stories in business history. For a brief moment, it even surpassed Apple, showing just how powerful the AI boom has become. Whether Nvidia can hold onto this position remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—AI is reshaping the tech industry, and Nvidia is at the heart of it.
As more industries adopt AI, from healthcare to finance to entertainment, the need for Nvidia’s technology will likely keep growing. The company’s chips are not just used in data centers but also in robotics, scientific research, and even weather forecasting. This wide range of applications means Nvidia’s influence stretches far beyond just tech companies.
