<p><strong>Nvidia </strong><span class="ticker-mention inline-flex items-center font-bold">(NVDA <span class="ml-1 text-green-900">+1.90%</span>)</span> stock has offered many investors a clear path to explosive gains in recent years. As leader in the artificial intelligence (AI) chip market, the company has been among the first to benefit from AI-driven earnings growth -- and this has prompted investors to pile into the stock.</p>
<p>Though others also sell AI chips, Nvidia was first to market with the most powerful product -- and Nvidia's focus on innovation has helped it remain in the lead. All of this has translated into record levels of revenue quarter after quarter -- and at high levels of profitability.</p>
<p>The question hasn't been whether to buy Nvidia stock, but <em>when</em> to get in on this player. For example, some investors have purchased shares before a major conference, with the idea that new details about upcoming product launches may push the stock higher. So, today, with a potential catalyst just ahead -- on May 20 -- you might be wondering whether you should rush to get in on the stock beforehand. History offers a strikingly clear answer. </p>
<div><img alt="Two investors smile while looking at something on a laptop at home. " width="880" height="587" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vZWRpdG9yaWFsL2ltYWdlcy84Njk0NjMvZ2V0dHlpbWFnZXMtMTE3MjA0MDc1NS5qcGcmdz0zODQw?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vZWRpdG9yaWFsL2ltYWdlcy84Njk0NjMvZ2V0dHlpbWFnZXMtMTE3MjA0MDc1NS5qcGcmdz0zODQw"/>
<p>Image source: Getty Images.</p>
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<h2>Supercharging large language models</h2>
<p>Let's start by catching up on Nvidia's story so far. As mentioned, the company is the dominant AI chip designer worldwide, offering graphics processing units (GPUs) that supercharge key tasks like the training and inference of large language models. Nvidia serves the world's biggest tech companies -- from <strong>Microsoft </strong>to <strong>Meta Platforms</strong> -- as well as customers of cloud service providers.</p><div><div id="foolcom_sidebar_top_container"></div></div>
<p>All of this has helped revenue and net profit to soar in recent years. In the latest full year, revenue climbed 65% to $215 billion. Nvidia prides itself on regular innovation, with a promise to update its chips annually, and the next update is just ahead. The company is on track to make its Vera Rubin system available later this year. This has helped Nvidia stay ahead of rivals and keep revenue charging higher.</p><div></div>
<section><div><div><div><small><div>Expand</div></small></div><div><img alt="Nvidia Stock Quote" width="64" height="64" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL05WREEucG5nJnc9MTI4?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://g.foolcdn.com/image//query-b3A9cmVzaXplJnVybD1odHRwczovL2cuZm9vbGNkbi5jb20vYXJ0L2NvbXBhbnlsb2dvcy9tYXJrL05WREEucG5nJnc9MTI4"/></div><div><h2>NASDAQ: NVDA</h2><div>Nvidia</div></div></div><div><div><div>Today's Change</div><div>(1.90%) $4.08</div><div>Current Price</div><div>$219.28</div></div><div></div></div></div><div><div></div><div><h3>Key Data Points</h3><div><div>Market Cap</div><div>$5.3T</div><div>Day's Range</div><div>$213.89 - $222.30</div><div>52wk Range</div><div>$124.47 - $222.30</div><div>Volume</div><div>6M</div><div>Avg Vol</div><div>171M</div><div>Gross Margin</div><div>71.07%</div><div>Dividend Yield</div><div>0.02%</div></div></div></div></section>
<p>It's also important to note that Nvidia isn't just a chip company. It makes complete systems and even offers enterprise software and platforms specific to various industries such as healthcare and automotive. Nvidia also has expanded the reach of its AI systems across industries -- for example, announcing an AI platform for 6G in telecom last year and more recently releasing an AI model family to advance quantum computing.  </p><div><div id="in_line_article_pitch_container"></div></div>
<p>All of this is keeping Nvidia at the forefront -- and making it very difficult for customers to bypass the company on their AI paths.</p>
<p>So, while other chip designers may also be successful as the AI story unfolds, there's reason to be optimistic about Nvidia maintaining the lead and making a great long-term investment.</p>
<h2>When should you buy Nvidia stock?</h2>
<p>But when should you buy the stock? Before May 20 might seem like a good time since on that day, Nvidia will deliver its fiscal 2027 first-quarter earnings report. Should you really rush to get in on the stock before that time, though?</p>
<p>History shows us something interesting. While Nvidia has a fantastic track record over the long term, it doesn't necessarily soar after every earnings report -- even though the reports have been strong in recent years.</p>
<p>Considering the past 12 quarterly reports, Nvidia stock has gained five times in the five trading days following those reports. And in the past four quarters, it's only advanced one time -- that was after the first-quarter report last year.</p>
<p>Here's a closer look:</p>
<div><table><tbody><tr><th>Nvidia earnings dates</th><th>Quarter and year</th><th>Stock performance five days after report</th></tr><tr><td>May 24, 2023</td><td>Q1 fiscal 2024</td><td>up 23%</td></tr><tr><td>Aug. 23, 2023</td><td>Q2 fiscal 24</td><td>up 4.5%</td></tr><tr><td>Nov. 21, 2023</td><td>Q3 fiscal 24</td><td>down 4.2%</td></tr><tr><td>Feb. 21, 2024</td><td>Q4 fiscal 24</td><td>up 15%</td></tr><tr><td>May 22, 2024</td><td>Q1 fiscal 2025</td><td>up 20%</td></tr><tr><td>Aug. 28, 2024</td><td>Q2 fiscal 25</td><td>down 15%</td></tr><tr><td>Nov. 20, 2024</td><td>Q3 fiscal 25</td><td>down 7.2%</td></tr><tr><td>Feb. 26, 2025</td><td>Q4 fiscal 25</td><td>down 10%</td></tr><tr><td>May 28, 2025</td><td>Q1 fiscal 2026</td><td>up 5.2%</td></tr><tr><td>Aug. 27, 2025</td><td>Q2 fiscal 26</td><td>down 6%</td></tr><tr><td>Nov. 19, 2025</td><td>Q3 fiscal 26</td><td>down 3.3%</td></tr><tr><td>Feb. 25, 2026</td><td>Q4 fiscal 26</td><td>down 6.4%</td></tr><tr><td>
<p>Data source: YCharts</p>
</td><td> </td><td> </td></tr></tbody></table></div>
<p>The stock has advanced after every first-quarter report over this time frame, suggesting that this may be a favorable time of year for the company. It's important to remember that this often precedes the release of a new product, for example, Blackwell Ultra last year, and this year the Rubin platform. So investors may be feeling optimistic about these updates.</p>
<p>But, overall, history is compellingly clear: Nvidia's post-earnings gains haven't been a sure thing.</p>
<p>What this means is you don't have to rush into the stock before a specific date in order to benefit from the Nvidia story. Instead, you may take your time and scoop up the stock now or later -- in both cases, it could be a winning long-term move thanks to the company's strength in the booming AI market.</p><div id="article_pitch_container"></div><div id="promobox_container"></div>

The global semiconductor sector experienced a strong surge, with the chip index jumping over 4%, outperforming the broader market and hitting a new all-time high! AMD, the computing power giant, saw its data center business grow by 57% in the first quarter and its second-quarter guidance significantly exceeded expectations, leading to a post-market surge of over 10%. Intel's stock price rose nearly 13% in a single day, boosted by rumors of Apple's contract manufacturing talks. Micron Technology and SanDisk, two major memory manufacturers, both hit new all-time highs overnight, driven by strong AI demand and expectations of locked-in long-term contracts. The "supercycle" in the semiconductor industry chain has not only not peaked, but is accelerating in a deeper and broader dimension.

<p>The global semiconductor sector experienced a strong surge, with the chip index jumping over 4%, outperforming the broader market and hitting a new all-time high! AMD, the computing power giant, saw its data center business grow by 57% in the first quarter and its second-quarter guidance significantly exceeded expectations, leading to a post-market surge of over 10%. Intel's stock price rose nearly 13% in a single day, boosted by rumors of Apple's contract manufacturing talks. Micron Technology and SanDisk, two major memory manufacturers, both hit new all-time highs overnight, driven by strong AI demand and expectations of locked-in long-term contracts. The "supercycle" in the semiconductor industry chain has not only not peaked, but is accelerating in a deeper and broader dimension.</p>

Storage and chip sectors rose across the board, and the super cycle continues!

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<p>Nvidia (NVDA) has been a strong performer in the AI chip market, with significant revenue growth and profitability. Investors are considering buying before the May 20 earnings report, but historical data shows mixed post-earnings performance. While Nvidia has a solid long-term outlook, the stock's gains after earnings reports are not guaranteed. Investors may choose to buy now or later, as Nvidia's position in the AI market remains strong.</p>

- Nvidia has established itself as a leader in the AI chip market, with significant revenue growth and record profitability.  
- The company is set to release its fiscal 2027 first-quarter earnings report on May 20, but historical data shows that stock gains following earnings reports are inconsistent.  
- Investors may choose to buy Nvidia stock now or later without urgency, as its strong position in the AI market suggests it could be a solid long-term investment.

Should You Buy Nvidia Before May 20? History Offers a Strikingly Clear Answer.