Breaking news

Nvidia Takes The Lead As The Most Profitable Company In 2024

In 2024, Nvidia has cemented its position as the most profitable company of the year, marking a significant milestone in the tech industry. The American company, renowned for its AI chips, has capitalized on the artificial intelligence boom, driving market value and demand for its products to record highs. Nvidia’s rapid ascent underscores the massive growth of AI technologies globally and its central role in shaping the sector’s future.

Explosive Growth in Market Value

Nvidia’s market capitalization has skyrocketed by over $2 trillion in just one year, reaching a staggering $3.28 trillion by the end of 2024. This impressive jump follows a market value of $1.2 trillion at the end of 2023. The tech giant is now the second most valuable company in the world, trailing only Apple, which maintains its lead with a market valuation approaching $4 trillion.

While Nvidia briefly overtook Apple as the most valuable company in 2024, it quickly lost that lead. Despite this, Nvidia’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable. The company’s tremendous success highlights the growing reliance on AI-driven technologies, which are increasingly integrated into industries worldwide.

The Tech Landscape in 2024

The year 2024 proved to be transformative for the entire tech sector. Significant investments in artificial intelligence and its growing demand have helped propel tech companies to new heights. This AI boom has also had a ripple effect on global stock indices. The S&P 500 experienced a 23.3% increase, while the Nasdaq soared by 28.6%. As the year draws to a close, forecasts for 2025 point to continued growth in the sector.

Nvidia’s success mirrors the overall tech industry’s flourishing financial performance. It is not alone in benefiting from AI, as other tech giants have also seen their valuations soar. However, Nvidia’s dominance in AI chip production has positioned it at the forefront of this technological revolution.

Stock Volatility and Resilience

While Nvidia’s growth has been exceptional, it has not been without volatility. In November 2024, the company’s stock experienced a significant dip, falling by up to 3% and wiping out nearly $100 billion in market value. Despite these fluctuations, Nvidia’s stock price has surged by over 830% in the past two years. This meteoric rise has delivered returns that more than double the performance of the next best-performing company in the S&P 500 index during the same period—Meta, which saw a 400% increase.

Despite the occasional setbacks, Nvidia has shown remarkable resilience, proving its ability to navigate the volatile stock market while maintaining its leadership in the AI space.

The Journey of Nvidia

Nvidia’s journey from a humble beginning to industry dominance is a story of innovation and foresight. Founded 31 years ago by three co-founders in a Denny’s diner in Silicon Valley, the company has grown into a powerhouse in the tech world. One of those co-founders, Jensen Huang, who worked as a Denny’s employee before his rise to fame, now serves as Nvidia’s CEO. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping the company’s success, and Huang’s net worth has skyrocketed to $127 billion, placing him among the ten richest people in the world.

Today, Nvidia stands as a testament to the transformative power of artificial intelligence, with its chips driving the AI revolution. The company’s profitability in 2024 reflects its pivotal role in the rapidly evolving tech landscape, and its growth is expected to continue as demand for AI technologies shows no signs of slowing.

Looking Ahead

As Nvidia continues to lead the charge in AI chip production, the company is poised to maintain its position as one of the most influential players in the tech industry. With forecasts for further AI-driven growth in the coming years, Nvidia’s market position is expected to remain strong. As it navigates the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly changing market, the company’s remarkable success story is far from over.

The Decline Of Smartwatches: A Turning Point In The Wearable Tech Industry

For the first time in history, the smartwatch market is facing a significant downturn. Shipments are expected to drop by 7% in 2024, marking a major shift in a segment that has been growing steadily for over a decade. A report by Counterpoint reveals that while Apple still holds the top spot, its dominance is being challenged by a surge from Chinese brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, and BBK. Even as the overall market struggles, some companies are thriving.

The Big Picture: Why Smartwatches Are Slowing Down

Apple’s flagship products have long been the driving force in the smartwatch market, but even the tech giant is feeling the pressure. The company’s shipments are projected to fall by 19% this year, though it will remain the market leader. Meanwhile, brands from China are capitalizing on the shift, with Huawei showing an impressive 35% growth in sales, driven by the booming domestic market and a broad range of offerings, including smartwatches for kids.

Xiaomi, too, is experiencing remarkable success, with a staggering 135% increase in sales. In contrast, Samsung is seeing more modest growth, up 3%, thanks to its latest Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra series.

While some companies are succeeding, the broader market is facing headwinds. The biggest factor behind the overall decline is the slowdown in India, where consumer demand for smartwatches has stagnated. The segment is suffering from a lack of innovation and fresh updates, leaving many consumers with little incentive to upgrade their devices. Add to that market saturation, and it’s clear why many users are content with their current models. The Chinese market, however, is bucking the trend, showing 6% growth in 2024.

A Glimpse Into The Future

Looking ahead, the smartwatch market may begin to recover in 2025, driven by the increasing integration of AI and advanced health monitoring tools. As these technologies evolve, the industry could see a resurgence in demand.

Huawei’s Remarkable Comeback

Huawei’s impressive performance in the smartwatch space signals a broader recovery for the company, which has been hit hard by US sanctions. Once the world’s largest smartphone maker, Huawei’s business was decimated when it lost access to advanced chips and Google’s Android operating system in 2019. But in China, Huawei has maintained its dominance, with its market share growing to 17% in 2024.

This resurgence was partly driven by the launch of the Mate 60 Pro, a smartphone featuring a 7-nanometer chip developed in China. Despite US sanctions, the device surprised many with its capabilities, a testament to China’s rising investment in domestic semiconductor production.

In February, Huawei also unveiled its Mate XT foldable smartphone, the world’s first device to fold in three directions. Running on HarmonyOS 4.2, Huawei’s proprietary operating system, the phone further demonstrates the company’s resilience and ability to innovate despite international challenges.

Huawei’s smartwatch offerings are also catching attention, particularly the Huawei Watch GT 5 Pro, which launched in September of last year. With a premium titanium alloy design, a high-resolution AMOLED display, and impressive health tracking features, the GT 5 Pro has become a standout in the market, available to both Android and iOS users.

A Brief History Of The Smartwatch Revolution

The smartwatch market has had its fair share of milestones, but the real breakthrough came in 2012 with the Pebble, a Kickstarter-funded project that raised over $10 million. Pebble introduced the world to smartphone integration, app downloads, and long battery life, becoming the first truly mass-market smartwatch.

In 2013, Samsung entered the game with the Galaxy Gear, marking its first attempt at wearable tech. But it was Apple’s entry in 2014 that truly set the industry on fire. The Apple Watch’s sleek design, integration with iOS, and emphasis on health and fitness catapulted it to the top of the market, establishing a standard that many other brands would try to follow.

By 2021, the smartwatch industry had grown to over $30 billion in revenue, with annual growth reaching 20%. Yet now, it finds itself at a crossroads, with innovation stagnating and market saturation taking a toll.

Uri Levine Course

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter