Nvidia could soon surpass Apple to become the world’s second most valuable company, as the kingmaker behind the AI revolution takes on the iPhone maker that has ruled Wall Street for decades.

The reliance of virtually all artificial intelligence applications such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT on Nvidia’s high-end chips has helped the stock nearly triple in value over the past year to US$2.72-trillion.

In contrast, Apple ceded its number-1 spot to Microsoft earlier this year as the once high-flying company grapples with weak demand for its iPhones and tough competition in China. It was last valued at $2.93-trillion.

“It is certainly notable because Apple has been so dominant for so long, especially on the growth and innovation front. Recently though, Apple’s innovation curve seems to have flattened, showing slower future growth,” said Brian Mulberry, client portfolio manager at Zacks Investment Management.

“On the other hand, Nvidia has been able to catch wave upon wave of growth. Beginning with gaming demand, then crypto and now AI, they have been able to perfectly match innovation with demand and that equals explosive growth.”

The semiconductor company is heavily weighted on the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq and has been pivotal in driving US stocks to record highs. It accounted for more than a third of the S&P 500’s gains this year.

Nvidia also became the fastest company to grow from $1-trillion to $2-trillion in 2024, zooming past Amazon, Alphabet and Saudi Aramco.

Soaring

Since its blowout forecast about a year ago, the company has consistently breezed past Wall Street’s lofty expectations for revenue and profit, with demand for its graphic processors far outstripping supply as Big Tech rushes to embed AI applications.

Sharp increases in analysts’ earnings estimates have resulted in a fall in the stock’s forward earnings valuation, even with the share price racing higher.