This week, Nvidia briefly became the first publicly traded company in history to reach a market capitalization of $4 trillion, outpacing Apple and Microsoft, and marking a pivotal moment in the global AI landscape, according to GlobalData. This milestone underscores Wall Street’s accelerating confidence in AI and the central role of high-performance semiconductors.
“Nvidia’s historic valuation highlights the unmatched investor appetite for companies at the heart of the AI revolution. The company added $1 trillion in market value in less than a year, a pace that surpasses Apple and Microsoft’s previous trajectories. This rapid ascent reflects how indispensable AI chipmakers have become in today’s digital economy,” said Kiran Raj, Practice Head of Strategic Intelligence at GlobalData.
According to GlobalData’s report, the global AI chip market is projected to reach $154 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20%. The growth is driven by demand for compute efficiency, sovereign AI initiatives, and next-generation technologies. “Nvidia’s valuation is more than a stock market headline. It reflects a structural transformation in global tech leadership. With its AI chips powering everything from data centers and cloud computing to autonomous vehicles and robotics, Nvidia is uniquely positioned. However, competitive pressure is mounting. Players like AMD, Intel, Google, and Huawei are doubling down on custom silicon, while regulatory headwinds and export restrictions are reshaping the competitive dynamics,” continued Raj.
Venture capital activity rebounded strongly in 2024, highlighting investor confidence in the AI hardware ecosystem. Meanwhile, hiring trends, patent filings, and social media momentum around AI chips surged, revealing broader interest from tech developers, enterprises, and policymakers. “AI chips are no longer a back-end component but the backbone of the global digital economy. Nvidia’s $4 trillion valuation sends a strong signal that strategic control over AI hardware will define competitive advantage in the years ahead. For organizations and investors alike, staying ahead of this curve is not optional—it is essential,” concluded Raj.
This week, Nvidia briefly became the first publicly traded company in history to reach a market capitalization of $4 trillion, outpacing Apple and Microsoft, and marking a pivotal moment in the global AI landscape, according to GlobalData.
PC shipments during the second quarter of 2025 grew 6.5% from the prior year, with global volumes reaching 68.4 million shipments, according to preliminary results from IDC.