Nvidia stock sinks 2% in fallout from Jensen Huang resignation
CFO Colette Kress named interim CEO amid multiple reports of extramarital affairs involving Huang
Quick Look
- Nvidia shares dropped 2% Friday following CEO Jensen Huang's resignation.
- CFO Colette Kress will serve as interim CEO as the company investigates multiple reports of extramarital affairs involving Huang, including one with a suspected Chinese intelligence asset.
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Why It Matters
Jensen Huang was the central figure in Nvidia's growth and AI industry strategy. The company is currently investigating his conduct following multiple reports of extramarital affairs.
Nvidia stock sank 2% on Friday 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.
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.
Open Questions
- What are the findings of the board's investigation?
- Will there be further leadership changes?






