Nvidia Stock Draws Analyst Optimism Ahead of Earnings
Nvidia stock drew analyst optimism after Meta adopted Confidential Computing; analysts set a $252 target, flagging renewed AI demand into earnings.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Following a company release, Meta adopted Nvidia's Confidential Computing to enable AI infrastructure.
- Analysts set an average 12-month price target of $252, reflecting renewed AI demand expectations.
- Q4 fiscal 2026 earnings are scheduled for Feb. 25 after market close.
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Nvidia (NVDA) stock attracted renewed Wall Street optimism after the company announced on February 17, 2026, that Meta adopted NVIDIA Confidential Computing to enable AI capabilities while protecting user privacy. Analysts updated 12-month price targets as the chipmaker prepares to report quarterly earnings on February 25.
Meta Adoption and Market Position
Nvidia said Meta has adopted its Confidential Computing technology, which supports AI infrastructure while safeguarding user data. The company controls about 90% of the AI chip market and has expanded beyond processors into networking and software, offering customers a full-stack solution for large AI workloads. This integrated approach provides a single-vendor path that investors see as a competitive advantage.
Early 2026 indicators show strengthening demand for Nvidia’s data-center GPUs. Rental prices for the H100 model have rebounded since early December 2025, and AI token usage roughly doubled in the first weeks of the year. These trends in secondary markets and usage metrics suggest rising AI workloads that could support vendor pricing and utilization.
Analyst Targets and Earnings Calendar
On February 18, analysts raised Nvidia’s average 12-month price target to $252, about 35% above the stock’s level at that time. Updates included targets of $240 from RBC Capital, $265 from Wells Fargo, and $250 from Stifel Nicolaus, while Needham and Oppenheimer maintained Buy ratings. These revisions reflect expectations that accelerating AI demand and enterprise adoption of Nvidia’s full-stack offerings will drive near-term revenue and margin growth.
Earlier in February, UBS analyst Timothy Arcuri raised his 12-month target to $245 from $235. Analysts now expect full fiscal 2026 revenue to exceed $240 billion, setting a high bar for the upcoming quarter. Nvidia’s fiscal fourth-quarter earnings are scheduled for release after market close on February 25.
