Nvidia Stock: Can it Reach $1,200 Within a Year?

NVIDIA

The semiconductor industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by artificial intelligence (AI), and amidst numerous contenders, Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) maintains an unrivaled position.

With a market value of $2.06 trillion, Nvidia stock has delivered a remarkable 48,223% return to its investors over the past two decades. Jim Cramer, host of CNBC’s Mad Money, recently discussed why he believes Nvidia is poised to “usher in the next industrial revolution.” According to Cramer, Nvidia holds immense power due to its software’s ability to accelerate processes, foster innovation, and reduce costs across various sectors.

Despite operating somewhat behind the scenes, Nvidia’s high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs) are driving advancements across industries as the AI era unfolds.

As of four months into 2024, the stock has surged 77% year-to-date, significantly outperforming the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite’s 6.1% rise. Most analysts on Wall Street foresee further growth for Nvidia as it expands its presence across industries.

Backed by an overall “strong buy” rating, Cantor Fitzgerald recently set a lofty target price of $1,200 for Nvidia, implying a potential upside of approximately 36.7% within one year. This target seems feasible given the chip giant’s track record.

Nvidia’s Financial Performance is Soaring

One of Nvidia’s key strengths lies in its agility and diversification of product offerings, which have fueled its financial growth.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, total revenue surged an impressive 265% year-over-year to $22.1 billion, while adjusted earnings per share (EPS) skyrocketed 486% to $5.16.

For the full fiscal year 2024, revenue and earnings surged by 126% and 586%, respectively. Nvidia has established itself as a leader in the data center market, with its Data Center segment contributing 83% of total revenue in Q1, marking a 409% increase from the year-ago quarter.

Revenue from its Gaming and Professional Visualization segments also saw substantial year-over-year growth of 56% and 105%, respectively, in the quarter.

Nvidia’s recent decision to acquire Run:ai, a Kubernetes-based workload management and orchestration software provider, aims to optimize AI computing resources for customers.

Moreover, the rise of autonomous vehicles presents another lucrative opportunity for Nvidia. Despite a 4% decline in the Automotive segment in Q4, strategic partnerships with leading automakers position Nvidia’s DRIVE platform for self-driving cars for significant growth.

Fiscal 2025 Outlook

Nvidia is set to announce its first-quarter fiscal 2025 results on May 22, with management forecasting a revenue increase of 234% (plus or minus 2%) to $24 billion. Analysts anticipate robust revenue and earnings growth of 238.4% and 527%, respectively, in Q1.

Analysts foresee another strong fiscal year in 2025, with revenue and earnings projected to increase by 83.4% and 92.8%, respectively. Despite trading at 33 times forward fiscal 2025 estimated earnings, Nvidia stock remains reasonably priced given the immense growth potential of AI.

Analyst Consensus and Conclusion

Citi analyst Atif Malik recently reiterated a “buy” rating on Nvidia stock, citing expectations of doubling AI server processor sales this year and a 50% compounded annual growth rate over the next five years.

Overall, Nvidia maintains a “strong buy” rating among Wall Street analysts, with the majority forecasting continued upside potential. With an average analyst target price of $948.73, representing an 8.1% increase from current levels, and a Street-high target of $1,200, indicating a potential upside of 36.7%, Nvidia remains a top AI investment choice.

In summary, Nvidia presents a compelling investment opportunity for those bullish on technology and AI. With its innovative prowess, expansive industry presence, and robust financial performance, Nvidia is poised to remain a dominant force in the stock market. Considering its recent dip from its 52-week high, now may be an opportune time to capitalize on Nvidia as the premier AI investment.

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About the author: Stephanie Bédard-Châteauneuf has over seven years of experience writing financial content for various websites. Over the years, Stephanie has covered various industries, with a primary focus on tech stocks, consumer stocks, market news, and personal finance. She has an MBA in finance.