Nvidia’s $100bn OpenAI deal prompts sharp rise in global chip stocks

The logo of technology company Nvidia
Anadolu Agency

Semiconductor shares from Asia to Europe rose sharply on Tuesday after Nvidia unveiled a $100 billion partnership with OpenAI to build massive Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems requiring millions of processors.

Nvidia said the investment will supply OpenAI with computing systems demanding 10 gigawatts of power — the equivalent of between 4 million and 5 million of its high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs). Chief executive Jensen Huang called it one of the largest infrastructure buildouts in AI history.

The announcement drove a surge in semiconductor shares worldwide. In Taiwan, contract manufacturer TSMC, which produces chips for Nvidia, gained 3.5%. In South Korea, SK Hynix, a key supplier of memory chips for Nvidia’s systems, rose 2.5%, while Samsung Electronics advanced 1.4% amid speculation it may soon secure supply approval for Nvidia’s high-bandwidth memory.

Tokyo Electron in Japan also closed higher, reflecting demand for chipmaking equipment.

In Europe, STMicro, Infineon and BE Semiconductor rose in early trade, though the gains were tempered after ASM International warned of weaker fourth-quarter revenue, dragging its shares and those of peer ASML lower.

The agreement adds to Nvidia’s dominance in AI computing, as demand for generative AI continues to push chipmakers and equipment suppliers into record territory.

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