So, will Nvidia stock go back up? Nobody can say for certain, and the answer now hinges on a CEO shake-up and an earnings report just days away.
Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) shares traded near $160 on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026, after co-founder Jensen Huang resigned as CEO. That is about 7% below Wednesday’s $173.73 close, and some reports showed steeper drops during the session. The stock touched an intraday low of $148.80, a new 52-week low. It now sits roughly a third below its $243.37 peak from early October.
How Nvidia Stock Got Here in Just Nine Days
The slide began with the midterm elections. Nvidia closed at $200.13 on Nov. 4, then fell 9.26% to $181.60 on Nov. 5 as investors dumped AI and chip stocks after Democratic wins. Traders feared tighter regulation and slower data-center spending. Reports that major Chinese AI developers expected to receive only about 1% of the advanced Nvidia chips they ordered added to the pressure.
The stock bounced to $186.64 on Nov. 6. Then, on Sunday, Nov. 8, Huang admitted in an email to staff that he had been unfaithful to his wife. Reports linked the relationship to a woman suspected of spying for China, and Nvidia’s board opened an independent investigation. Shares fell more than 5% on Monday, Nov. 9, even though President Trump publicly defended Huang.
Chip stocks rebounded on Wednesday, Nov. 11, after strong results from CoreWeave. Late that day, reports of a second affair and a possible removal sent Nvidia lower again in after-hours trading.
Jensen Huang Resigns: What Nvidia Has Confirmed
On Nov. 12, Nvidia announced that Huang resigned as president, CEO and board member, effective immediately. The company’s filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission names Colette Kress, its chief financial officer since September 2013, as interim CEO. She keeps her CFO role until the board names a permanent successor.
The board also appointed Harvey Jones as its first-ever chair and launched a search that will consider internal and external candidates. Nvidia says operations, customer commitments and its product roadmap will continue without interruption.
The announcement does not tie Huang’s departure to the investigation. No findings of national security wrongdoing have been made public. That gap matters for investors, because the stock is reacting to uncertainty as much as to confirmed facts.
Why Nvidia Stock Could Go Back Up
The bull case rests on a business that was still growing at extraordinary speed when the scandal broke.
- Strong recent results. Nvidia reported $96.2 billion in revenue for its second fiscal quarter, up 106% from a year earlier. Data-center revenue reached $89.0 billion.
- A higher guidance bar. The company guided to roughly $108 billion for the third quarter, plus or minus 2%.
- A cheaper valuation. At about $160, the stock trades near 20 times trailing earnings of $7.91 per share. Earlier this year, investors paid far more.
- Demand that has not vanished. The AI buildout by large cloud companies and AI labs does not depend on one executive. CoreWeave’s strong report on Nov. 11 showed that appetite for AI infrastructure is still there.
- Continuity at the top. Kress knows the company’s finances and customers well, and she regularly represents Nvidia to investors.
Wall Street still leans optimistic on price targets. Yahoo Finance data shows an average 12-month target near $310, with individual targets ranging from about $180 to $515. Targets lag events, though, and analysts may revise them quickly after this week’s news.
Why Nvidia Stock Could Keep Falling
The bear case is just as real, and several risks overlap.
- A leadership vacuum. Analyst Dan Ives has called Huang essentially irreplaceable and expects Kress to hold the interim role for about a year. A long search could weigh on confidence.
- Investigations. Top Democrats have asked the Trump administration to preserve records, and congressional scrutiny appears likely.
- Export controls. Analysts warn that the controversy could speed up stricter China chip rules. That outcome is possible but not confirmed.
- AI spending worries. Some investors fear an AI bubble. One analyst downgrade this week cited Nvidia’s rapidly growing financial commitments, which have climbed to about $165 billion.
- High volatility. Nvidia’s beta sits above 2, so it tends to swing harder than the overall market in both directions.
Rivals also gained on the news. AMD and Broadcom shares jumped as Huang resigned, a sign that investors are weighing alternatives.
Nvidia Earnings on Nov. 17: The Next Big Test
Nvidia will report third-quarter fiscal 2027 results on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, for the quarter that ended Oct. 25. The company plans to post written commentary from Kress at about 1:20 p.m. PT (4:20 p.m. ET). The conference call follows at 2 p.m. PT (5 p.m. ET), with questions limited to analysts and institutional investors.
Wall Street expects roughly $108.8 billion in revenue and earnings of about $2.47 per share. Nvidia has a long record of topping estimates, so a beat alone may not be enough. Investors will focus on three things:
- Fourth-quarter guidance. Forward guidance has often moved the stock more than the quarter just reported.
- Gross margin. Nvidia guided to about 74% for the third quarter.
- Management tone. This will be the first call without Huang in more than three decades, so Kress’s comments on demand, supply and leadership will draw close attention.
A strong report could steady the stock. A cautious outlook could deepen the sell-off, since the market is already on edge.
What Investors Should Watch Next
- Nov. 17: Earnings results, guidance and Kress’s first call as interim CEO.
- CEO search: Any shortlist, outside hire or timeline from the board.
- Investigation updates: Findings from the board’s review or any congressional or federal action.
- China policy: New export-control rules or legislation that affect Nvidia’s chip sales.
- Analyst moves: Rating changes and target cuts or hikes after earnings.
- Broader AI sentiment: Results from other chipmakers and cloud companies, which can pull Nvidia either way.
Practical Considerations for Investors
Volatility this extreme tests nerves. Long-term holders should revisit why they own the stock and whether that reason has changed. Business fundamentals and leadership risk are separate questions, and this week raised both.
Anyone tempted to buy the dip should consider position size and avoid putting too much into one stock. Earnings-day swings can be violent in either direction. Consider checking Nvidia’s official filings and earnings materials rather than relying on social media rumors, since fast-moving headlines have already proved unreliable this week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Nvidia stock go back up to its all-time high?
It could, but no one can promise it. Returning to the $243.37 peak from a price near $160 would take a rally of roughly 50%. That would likely require a strong earnings outlook, a settled leadership situation and calmer AI sentiment. Analyst price targets point higher, but they are estimates, not guarantees.
Why is Nvidia stock down today?
Jensen Huang resigned as CEO on Nov. 12 after days of scandal and a board investigation. The move adds to a selloff that began after the Nov. 3 midterms, when investors worried about regulation, AI spending and China chip restrictions.
Who is Nvidia’s new CEO?
Colette Kress, the company’s chief financial officer, is interim CEO. She keeps her CFO role while the board searches for a permanent successor from inside or outside the company.
When is Nvidia’s next earnings report?
Nvidia reports on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026. Written commentary arrives at about 1:20 p.m. PT, and the call starts at 2 p.m. PT (5 p.m. ET). The company streams the call on its investor relations website.
Is Nvidia stock a buy right now?
That depends on your goals, time horizon and risk tolerance. The business is still posting huge growth, and the valuation looks lower than it did a month ago. Leadership, legal and export-control uncertainty also remains. A licensed financial adviser can help weigh those factors for your situation.
Will Jensen Huang return as Nvidia CEO?
Nothing suggests that now. He resigned effective immediately, and the board is searching for a permanent CEO. The board’s investigation is ongoing, and no findings have been announced.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment or legal advice. Stock prices change rapidly, and forecasts and analyst targets are estimates that may prove wrong. Consult a qualified financial professional before making investment decisions.
What do you think: will Nvidia stock go back up after this shake-up? Share your view in the comments and check back for updates after the Nov. 17 earnings report.