Nvidia closes below $4T market cap for first time since July 2025 in Huang fallout
Shares drop 2.01% on Friday, marking sixth straight weekly decline as board investigates CEO's extramarital affairs
Quick Look
- Nvidia stock sank 2.01% on Friday, closing below $4 trillion in market cap for the first time since July 2025 after CEO Jensen Huang resigned amid reports of extramarital affairs, including one with a woman believed to be a Chinese spy.
- CFO Colette Kress will serve as interim CEO.
- The stock fell 12.75% for the week, its sixth consecutive weekly decline and longest streak since 2012.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang resigned following reports of multiple extramarital affairs, including one with a woman believed to be a Chinese spy. The board announced an investigation into the matter. CFO Colette Kress will take over as interim CEO.
Nvidia stock sank another 2.01% on Friday, closing below $4 trillion in market cap for the first time since July 2025 as investors navigated the fallout from CEO Jensen Huang's resignation.
Colette Kress, Nvidia's CFO, will take over as interim CEO, the company announced Thursday.
Following the announcement of Huang's departure, shares of Nvidia declined sharply Thursday morning before recovering to close just 4% lower. The stock declined 12.75% in the trading week, marking its sixth straight weekly decline and its longest such streak since 2012.
Huang was under increasing scrutiny after a series of reports that the CEO was in a relationship with a Chinese woman believed to be a spy for Beijing. Huang disclosed that he had an affair on Sunday in a note to employees. The board also announced an investigation into the matter on Sunday.
The New York Times reported on Wednesday that Huang had another extramarital romantic relationship, this one with Kimberly Powell, vice president of health care at Nvidia.
Reuters reported on Thursday the existence of yet another affair with an Nvidia employee, which the news agency did not name. Nvidia did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment.
Before Huang resigned, several Wall Street analysts told CNBC that his departure could cost Nvidia as much as 20% of its market value, given how critical he has been to the company's success. Nvidia's stock was already down more than 20% over the last month.
Stephane Houri, head of equity research at ODDO BHF, said much of the company's success has been built around Huang, and his influence extended into the broader industry.
Houri told CNBC's "Squawk Box Europe" on Friday that the architecture of the AI industry "really depended on the vision" and expertise of Huang.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Nvidia stock may continue to decline in the short term as investors assess leadership transition
Likely · Within days
The board investigation into Huang's affairs will produce findings
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What will be the outcome of the board's investigation into Huang's affairs?
- Will Colette Kress be appointed as permanent CEO or serve only as interim?
- How will Huang's departure affect Nvidia's AI industry leadership and product roadmap?
- What is the full extent of the alleged relationship with the woman believed to be a Chinese spy?





