Nvidia Earnings Preview – NVDA Stock Dips to $220 on China Export Concerns Ahead of May 20 Report

NVIDIA shares plummeted ahead of reporting as concerns about prospects for future growth were sparked by export restrictions, delayed permits from China, and intensifying competition in the semiconductor sector.

Nvidia Faces Fresh Pressure Before Earnings Despite Strong Demand

Quick overview

  • NVIDIA shares have fallen below $220 ahead of their earnings report due to delayed shipments to China and rising competition in the semiconductor market.
  • Investor sentiment has shifted as geopolitical tensions and export restrictions raise concerns about future revenue growth.
  • Despite high earnings expectations, including projected revenue of $79 billion for the quarter, the company faces challenges from manufacturing bottlenecks and increasing competition.
  • NVIDIA's technical indicators suggest waning momentum, with shares consolidating near recent lows as traders lock in gains ahead of earnings.

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NVIDIA shares plummeted ahead of reporting as concerns about prospects for future growth were sparked by export restrictions, delayed permits from China, and intensifying competition in the semiconductor sector.

Nvidia Pulls Back Ahead of Key Earnings Report

NVIDIA shares came under renewed pressure on Friday and extended losses into Monday, falling below the $220 level ahead of the company’s closely watched quarterly earnings report.

The decline followed reports that shipments of Nvidia’s H200 AI chips to China remain delayed pending final approval from Chinese regulators. Although U.S. authorities reportedly approved sales to several major Chinese technology firms, the absence of final shipment clearance has increased uncertainty surrounding the timing of future revenue.

The pullback marks a notable shift in sentiment after a powerful rally that pushed Nvidia to fresh record highs earlier this year. Investors are now becoming increasingly cautious as geopolitical tensions and export-control risks return to the forefront just days before earnings.

Earnings Expectations Remain Extremely High

Nvidia reports earnings after Wednesday’s closing bell, with markets once again expecting exceptionally strong results driven by continued AI infrastructure demand.

Analysts currently forecast:

  • Adjusted earnings per share of roughly $1.78
  • Quarterly revenue near $79 billion
  • Next-quarter revenue projections approaching $97 billion
  • Full-year revenue estimates around $372 billion

Investor focus will center heavily on:

  • Data center revenue growth
  • Gross margin trends
  • Chip demand visibility
  • Capital expenditure trends among hyperscalers
  • Future guidance for Blackwell and Rubin platforms

Large technology firms including Amazon, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, and Microsoft continue committing massive spending toward AI infrastructure expansion.

CEO Jensen Huang recently stated that Nvidia sees at least $1 trillion in potential AI infrastructure demand through 2027, reinforcing expectations that AI-related spending remains in an aggressive expansion phase.

Still, with Nvidia now valued at roughly $5.5 trillion, markets appear increasingly aware that expectations leave very little room for disappointment.

China Export Restrictions Create New Uncertainty

China remains one of the biggest strategic variables for Nvidia.

The company recently disclosed multibillion-dollar charges tied to export restrictions affecting its China business, highlighting how geopolitical tensions are increasingly influencing semiconductor earnings visibility.

China has historically been one of the world’s largest markets for advanced computing hardware, cloud infrastructure, and AI systems. However, ongoing restrictions on advanced chip exports are reshaping demand expectations across the entire semiconductor industry.

Although Nvidia’s H200 processors reportedly received initial U.S. approval for sales to companies including Alibaba, Tencent, ByteDance, and JD.com, delayed Chinese regulatory clearance has complicated shipment timelines.

At the same time, Beijing continues accelerating efforts to develop a more self-sufficient domestic semiconductor industry, increasing long-term competitive risks for U.S. chipmakers.

Technical Momentum Weakens

Despite the recent pullback, Nvidia remains technically strong over the longer term and still trades well above major moving averages.

However, several indicators suggest momentum may be cooling:

  • RSI signals overbought conditions
  • Stochastic RSI points to near-term weakness
  • Price action has become increasingly volatile
  • Shares have started consolidating near recent lows

The inability to sustain momentum above recent highs has led some traders to lock in gains ahead of earnings.

Technical Picture Reflects Waning Momentum

Nvidia’s technical setup mirrors the shifting sentiment. The stock slipped below its 20-week simple moving average (gray), a level that previously provided reliable support and into  a deeper pullback to the 50-week moving average (yellow). That moving average turned into support and we saw a strong rebound to a new record high $216.82 by Monday. However the price reversed lower this week and is now heading toward $200 and probably below.

NVDA Chart Weekly – Heading to $200Chart NVDA, W1, 2026.05.18 17:49 UTC, MetaQuotes Ltd., MetaTrader 5, Demo

 

Competition and Supply Constraints Add Pressure

Nvidia also faces growing operational and competitive challenges.

Jensen Huang recently acknowledged that manufacturing bottlenecks may persist for years, potentially limiting Nvidia’s ability to fully meet AI-driven demand.

Meanwhile, rivals including Advanced Micro Devices and Broadcom continue expanding their presence across AI accelerators, networking infrastructure, and enterprise computing markets.

Large cloud providers are also increasingly developing custom in-house chips to reduce dependence on Nvidia hardware over time.

While Nvidia remains the dominant force in AI infrastructure today, the latest decline highlights how quickly sentiment can shift when valuations are elevated and geopolitical risks begin affecting future growth visibility.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More
Skerdian Meta
Lead Analyst
Skerdian Meta Lead Analyst. Skerdian is a professional Forex trader and a market analyst. He has been actively engaged in market analysis for the past 11 years. Before becoming our head analyst, Skerdian served as a trader and market analyst in Saxo Bank's local branch, Aksioner. Skerdian specialized in experimenting with developing models and hands-on trading. Skerdian has a masters degree in finance and investment.

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