Time: 2024-05-23
Jensen Huang, the CEO and co-founder of Nvidia Corp., made a significant announcement during the Nvidia GPU Technology Conference (GTC) in San Jose, California, US, on March 19, 2024. The news of a 10-for-1 forward stock split came as part of Nvidia's fiscal first-quarter earnings report, creating a buzz in the market. This move by Nvidia is strategic, especially after witnessing a remarkable boom in its share price driven by the advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
Stock splits are known to impact investor sentiment positively by making shares more affordable. As a result of the split, Nvidia's shares will start trading on a split-adjusted basis on June 10, bringing down the price per share to $94.95 based on the closing price of $949.50 on Wednesday before the announcement. This decision is aimed at making ownership of Nvidia more accessible to both employees and investors, aligning with the company's growth strategy.
The market reaction to Nvidia's stock split was evident as the shares surged nearly 4% in extended trading following the news. Companies like Alphabet, Amazon, and Tesla have previously opted for stock splits to enhance shareholder value and attract more retail investors. In this case, Nvidia's move is expected to garner significant interest from the market as it capitalizes on the AI-driven momentum.
Furthermore, the distribution of nine additional shares of common stock to each holder of Nvidia's common stock post-market close on June 7 indicates a proactive approach by the company to ensure a smooth transition. With trading set to resume on the following Monday, the market anticipation surrounding Nvidia's stock split is likely to intensify as investors assess the implications of this strategic decision in the context of the company's future growth prospects.