Nvidia’s stock suffered a sharp selloff on Tuesday, wiping hundreds of billions of dollars from the chipmaker’s market capitalization, after reports emerged that regulators are examining an alleged personal relationship between Chief Executive Jensen Huang and a woman identified in media accounts as a Chinese intelligence operative. The investigation, details of which remain unconfirmed by Nvidia or government authorities, centers on whether the relationship created any exposure of sensitive semiconductor technology or corporate strategy. Shares fell by double digits in intraday trading before paring some losses, dragging the broader technology sector lower and rattling investors already sensitive to geopolitical tensions in the chip industry.
Nvidia declined to comment on the reports, and no charges have been filed against Huang or the company. The probe, if confirmed, would add a significant governance and national security dimension to a firm that has become central to the global artificial intelligence supply chain and a flashpoint in U.S.-China technology competition. Analysts cautioned that the allegations remain unverified and that the selloff may reflect uncertainty as much as substance, but noted that any formal inquiry into leadership conduct could weigh on investor confidence. Regulatory and law enforcement agencies have not publicly acknowledged the investigation.
Independent reporting synthesized from primary wires and global correspondents.