NVIDIA BECOMING THE WORLD’S MOST VALUABLE COMPANY – The company’s chips continue to play a central role to dominate the market for AI

Nvidia became the world’s most valuable company, dethroning tech heavyweight Microsoft, as its chips continue to play a central role in a race to dominate the market for artificial intelligence.

Shares of the chipmaker climbed 3.2% to $135.21, lifting its market capitalization to $3.326 trillion, just days after overtaking iPhone maker Apple to become the second most valuable company.

The stock has surged about 173% so far this year, compared with a rise of about 19% in Microsoft shares, with demand for its top-of-the-line processors outpacing supply. Tech giants Microsoft, Meta Platforms and Google-owner Alphabet are racing to build out their AI computing capabilities and dominate the emerging technology.

The surge in shares pushed the stock to a record high, adding over $103 billion to Nvidia’s market capitalization on Tuesday.

Increasing the appeal for its highly valued stock among individual investors, Nvidia recently split its stock ten-for-one, effective June 7.

The company’s market value expanded from $1 trillion to $2 trillion in just nine months in February, while taking just over three months to hit $3 trillion in June.