Overview

• NVIDIA closed at $171.88 but rose to $177.42 in pre-market trade at press time. This recovery confirms that institutional buyers are defending the $170 level despite recent retail sell-offs.

• Strategic moves into Alpamayo and Rubin make NVIDIA the literal backbone of AI-native industries.

• Many investors already own NVIDIA indirectly through index funds, reducing the urgency to buy shares outright.

NVIDIA is one of the most talked-about stocks in global markets, especially as artificial intelligence becomes the face of the technology sector. NVIDIA share price last closed at $171.88, down 1.33%, according to TradingView data. The interest picked up sharply after hours. The AI stock’s pre-market price on February 6 at press time was $177.42, up 3.22%. It’s a sign that institutional buyers are likely stepping in to defend the $170 level.

Earlier, the stock was trading as high as $212 during its peak last year. Being down nearly 20% from those highs makes people wonder, is the AI dream finally cooling off, or is this just the best entry point we’ve seen in months?

AI spending is expected to grow strongly over the next few years, giving many hope that this is just a temporary correction. Although a question still arises on whether NVIDIA is the best AI stock in 2026 or not and whether buying it is a good idea now.

NVIDIA’s Price Action Shows Mixed Signals

NVIDIA ended the last trading session (06:29 GMT+5:30) lower. The stock is feeling the weight of high expectations ahead of its February 25 earnings report. Its pre-market upside, on the other hand, suggests strong buying interest. It means that while retail traders are sweating the small daily drops, institutional buyers are likely using the $170 level as support. AI demand pushed it sharply higher over the past year. This long run-up has made some investors cautious, especially as short-term dips are becoming more frequent.

NVIDIA  share price chart on TradingView shows it at the levels of $177.60, pre-market with an upside of around 3.32%:

Why NVIDIA Still Stands Out in AI

NVIDIA sits at the center of the AI ecosystem. Its chips power data centers, cloud platforms, and advanced AI models used by some of the world’s biggest companies. Demand from large tech firms continues as they spend heavily on AI infrastructure.

The company believes that global AI infrastructure spending will increase from $1 trillion in 2026 to between $3 trillion and $4 trillion by 2030. Areas like generative AI, robotics, self-driving systems, and advanced data centers are all boosting demand for NVIDIA products.

NVIDIA has also expanded beyond chips into full platforms, combining hardware, software, and networking.

Rubin Platform: This is the big news for 2026. This new AI platform, in Elon Musk’s words, is built to be a ‘rocket engine’ for the next stage of AI. It is expected to improve the AI computing power exponentially. 

Alpamayo & Cars: Nvidia is now a major player in self-driving cars through Alpamayo. It uses Vision Language Action (VLA) models. Think of it like a driver that doesn't just see a ball in the street; it understands that a child might be running after it. This chain of thought reasoning is what sets their new platform apart from older self-driving tech.

By partnering with Uber, Nvidia is creating a bridge for carmakers like Lucid and Stellantis. They are building a world where a car can be manufactured with Nvidia tech and then seamlessly ‘plugged in’ to Uber's global autonomous network.

CUDA-Q: Quantum computers are incredibly powerful, but they also make a lot of mistakes. NVIDIA’s CUDA-Q platform uses AI supercomputers to catch and correct those in real-time. It’s the hybrid bridge that makes quantum actually usable for sensitive industries like pharmaceutical and materials research.

CoreWeave and AI Factories: The chipmaking giant has invested $2 billion into CoreWeave, an AI cloud computing company. The investment is for building ‘AI Factories’, data centers that are purpose-built for liquid-cooled, high-density AI work rather than just hosting websites.

Nokia and Intel Partnerships: Nvidia has invested in Nokia. The company wants to dominate the 6G wireless sector by putting AI directly into the cell towers.

Meanwhile, its partnerships with Intel show that the company is willing to work with traditional rivals. This move is to make sure the physical manufacturing of its AI chips continues to be stable and at high volume.
All these collaborations point to a strong long-term growth outlook for the Jensen Huang-led company. This must be making you think that buying is the right option, but don't jump to conclusions so fast. The answer is much trickier than this. See, you might already own NVIDIA stock. Wondering how? Scroll down!

Do You Already Own NVIDIA without Buying It?

One key point many investors miss is exposure. NVIDIA is now the world’s largest company by market value. As a result, it holds a large weight in major index funds and ETFs.

If you invest in a total market index fund or an S&P 500 fund, you might have already bought some part of the stock. Some tech-focused ETFs hold even larger portions of NVIDIA shares. This means many investors already benefit when NVIDIA rises, even without owning the stock directly.

This is one reason some portfolios choose not to add NVIDIA shares, not because the company is weak, but because exposure is already high.

Also Read: Best Indian AI Stocks to Invest Now for Long-Term Growth

Valuation and Risk in 2026

NVIDIA’s strong growth has pushed its valuation higher over time. While earnings growth has supported this, the stock is sensitive to market expectations. Any slowdown in AI spending or weaker-than-expected results can lead to sharp price moves, as seen in recent sessions.

The stock is also known for higher volatility. Large daily swings are common, which may not suit investors looking for steady returns. That said, NVIDIA generates strong cash flows, giving it room to invest, partner with other big players, and enter new AI-related fields like robotics and quantum computing.

So, Should You Buy NVIDIA Now?

For long-term investors who believe AI will continue to expand, this is a strong business with a clear role in the future of technology. The jump in pre-market trading to $177.42 shows that buyers are still ready to step in on weakness.

However, for investors who already hold index funds or tech ETFs, adding NVIDIA shares may increase concentration risk. In that case, holding existing exposure could make more sense than chasing the stock after a big run.

Also Read: Tech Stocks 2026: The Next Big Winners in AI and Blockchain

Final Thoughts

NVIDIA is still a leader in AI, but it is no longer a hidden opportunity. This global chipmaker has its hands in the cellular networks, the cars on the road, and the next generation of quantum science.

So, the choice to buy now depends less on belief in AI and more on how much stock exposure you already have. For some, these shares can be a core long-term play. For others, patience or diversification may be the smarter move.

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FAQs

1. What is NVIDIA share price today?

NVIDIA share price closed at $171.88, down 1.33% in the last trading session. However, sentiment improved after hours. The stock rose to $177.42 in pre-market trade at press time, on February 6, showing renewed buying interest. The move highlights how quickly the shares react to news and market expectations.

2. How is NVIDIA stock performing today?

NVIDIA stock showed mixed performance. It fell during regular trading but rebounded strongly in pre-market hours with a gain of over 3%. This pattern suggests short-term caution but strong underlying demand. Investors are closely tracking AI spending trends and upcoming earnings for clearer direction.

3. Should you buy NVIDIA stock in 2026?

NVIDIA is a strong long-term buy for 2026 due to its leadership in data center and AI chips. However, the stock is volatile and already widely owned through index funds. Investors should think about their existing exposure before buying, rather than chasing short-term price moves.

4. Which is a good AI stock to buy in 2026?

NVIDIA continues to rank among the top AI stocks in 2026. This is because its technology powers cloud computing, AI models, and advanced data centers. Although investors looking for diversification may also explore other AI companies instead of relying solely on NVIDIA.

5. What is NVIDIA's stock outlook for 2026?

NVIDIA’s stock outlook for 2026 is positive but balanced. AI infrastructure spending is expected to rise, supporting long-term growth. However, price swings may continue due to high expectations and market volatility. The stock suits long-term investors more than short-term traders seeking stability.