After a jaw-dropping 1,848% rally over the past five years, 2025 has been far less kind to chip king and artificial intelligence (AI) leader Nvidia (NVDA). The AI darling has slipped into negative territory on a YTD basis as concerns over export controls and the rise of cheaper, more efficient Chinese AI models weigh on investor sentiment. Even a blowout Q4 earnings report wasn’t enough to ease market jitters. Yet, a major catalyst is likely on the horizon. 

Jen-Hsun Huan NVIDIA's Founder, President and CEO by jamesonwu1972 via Shutterstock

The upcoming GTC 2025 event scheduled from March 17 to March 21 could be a turning point for the chip maker. In fact, this year, Nvidia is going beyond AI dominance with the introduction of Quantum Day on March 20, a deep dive into the cutting edge of quantum computing. Teaming up with industry pioneers like D-Wave (QBTS), IonQ (IONQ), and Rigetti (RGTI), the company will showcase groundbreaking advancements in quantum hardware, error correction, and next-gen algorithms.  

CEO Jensen Huang is set to take the stage alongside top executives to discuss how quantum computing could revolutionize various fields and also reveal Nvidia’s latest breakthroughs in this space. With Nvidia pushing the boundaries of innovation once again, GTC 2025 could be a game-changing moment for the stock. So, as the countdown to the event begins, should investors buy, sell, or hold the chip stock?

About Nvidia Stock

California-based Nvidia (NVDA) stands at the forefront of the AI revolution, shaping the future of technology. From industry-leading GPUs powering gaming, virtual reality, and high-performance computing to driving innovation across multiple sectors, Nvidia continues to raise the bar. 

The company’s market cap presently stands at a hefty $2.7 trillion. While shares of this chip king have dropped 17.7% so far in 2025 amid its recent struggles, the mega-cap stock still boasts roughly a 36.5% gain over the past year, continuing to outshine the broader S&P 500 Index’s ($SPX) 15% return during the same stretch. 

Nvidia’s premium valuation is hardly a surprise anymore, given its AI king status. Trading at 27.55 times forward earnings and 21.33 times sales, NVDA sits well above sector medians of 22.12x and 2.94x. However, when stacked against its own five-year averages of 47.90x and 25.61x, the current levels hint at a potential buying opportunity for investors looking to capitalize on a rare dip in this high-flying stock.

Nvidia Beats on Q4 Earnings

Nvidia’s stock may have tumbled over 8% on Feb. 27, but its fiscal 2025 fourth-quarter earnings report published on Feb. 26 was nothing short of spectacular. The AI giant smashed expectations with record revenue of $39.3 billion, a staggering 78% jump year-over-year, outpacing Wall Street estimates by about 3.1%. The earnings front was equally impressive, with adjusted EPS soaring 71% annually to $0.89, outpacing the projected figure of $0.85 per share. 

Nvidia’s data center dominance remains undisputed, with revenue skyrocketing 93% year-over-year to $35.6 billion, fueled by the booming demand for its H200 Hopper chip. However, the company’s other segments painted a mixed picture. Gaming revenue took a hit, slipping 11% to $2.5 billion, as Q4 shipments faced supply constraints. On a brighter note, Automotive and Robotics revenue more than doubled from the prior year, reaching $570 million, showcasing Nvidia’s expanding footprint beyond AI and gaming.

While reflecting on the Q4 performance, CEO Jensen Huang underscored the immense demand for the company’s next-generation Blackwell platform, noting its pivotal role in advancing AI. As AI demand surges, Nvidia’s growth engine shows no signs of slowing down. Looking forward to fiscal 2026 Q1, management forecasts a revenue of $43 billion, with a potential variance of 2%. 

GAAP gross margin is expected at 70.6% and non-GAAP at 71%, each with a 50-basis point variance. Over the longer term, analysts tracking Nvidia project the company’s bottom line to soar 41.3% year over year to $4.14 per share in fiscal 2026 and grow another 23.7% to $5.12 per share in fiscal 2027. 

What Do Analysts Expect for Nvidia Stock?

Despite market jitters, Nvidia continues to shine in the eyes of Wall Street, earning a consensus “Strong Buy” rating overall. Of the 44 analysts offering recommendations, a solid 38 back it with “Strong Buy,” two give a “Moderate Buy,” and the remaining four maintain “Hold.” The average analyst price target of $178.07 indicates 61% potential upside from the current price levels, while the Street-high price target of $220 suggests that NVDA could rally as much as 99% from here.

As Nvidia gears up for GTC 2025, the chip giant is once again pushing the boundaries of innovation. Despite early year headwinds, its AI dominance, blockbuster earnings, and bold breakthroughs in quantum computing could set the stage for a major rebound. With analysts backing the stock and the event on the horizon, Nvidia’s current struggles might just be the golden buying opportunity investors have been waiting for.