Nvidia's market capitalization reached nearly $5.7 trillion as of May 14, 2026, propelled by optimism over trade ties with China and U.S. regulatory approvals allowing some Chinese firms to purchase its advanced H200 processors [1]. The stock gained about 20% since early May, rising from $165.17 per share at the year's low on March 30 to roughly $220 by mid-May [1, 2].
The rally accelerated as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang accompanied former President Donald Trump on his trip to China, where Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Nvidia's market cap hit $5.5 trillion on May 13 amid news of Huang's participation in the delegation [2]. Friday's market gains followed reports that the U.S. government cleared certain Chinese buyers to acquire Nvidia's chips, boosting investor confidence [1].
Brent Kochuba, founder at SpotGamma, said, "How do you reprice China reopening to Nvidia, I think that's what people are repositioning for right now," reflecting market attention on easing trade restrictions [1]. Nvidia shares rallied 4.4% on May 15, the day after the chip sale approvals were reported [1].
Options trading volume ahead of Nvidia's May 20 earnings report also pointed to heightened investor interest, with a delta of $40 billion and premium reaching $4 billion [1]. The company's earnings release is scheduled after market close on May 20, which investors will watch for further guidance amid the improving China outlook.
Nvidia’s surge follows a period of decline from early 2026 when worries about China restrictions weighed on the stock. The recent rebound is tied closely to diplomatic developments and regulatory shifts, as well as anticipation around the firm's earnings.
Nvidia’s next key event is the earnings report due after the market close on May 20, which could provide fresh insights into how sustained the rally may be against the backdrop of global trade dynamics [1].
