Nvidia is now cheaper than semis as a whole. How to trade it at these levels
Nvidia’s recent pullback with the broader semiconductor complex has reset the stock to one of its most important technical and valuation zones. The decline has also lifted options premiums, creating a more attractive setup for selling defined-risk downside volatility rather than chasing the stock near its highs. Additionally, fundamentals have continued to improve with fiscal first-quarter revenue up 85% year over year, while Data Center revenue surged 92%. Management guided the following quarter with non-GAAP gross margins near 75%, indicating that AI infrastructure demand remains exceptionally strong. Against that backdrop, the selloff looks more like a valuation reset than a breakdown in the earnings story. Nvidia now trades well below the semiconductor industry average despite delivering superior revenue growth, EPS growth, and profitability. If $200 holds as support, the combination of attractive valuation and elevated implied volatility creates a compelling opportunity to collect premium through a defined-risk put spread. Trade timing & outlook NVDA has pulled back toward the $200 support level, where buyers previously defended the stock during its recent breakout. Major support test: The $200 area represents both a psychological level and a prior breakout zone, creating a technical floor for the trade. Upside recovery: If $200 holds and semiconductor sentiment stabilizes, NVDA could begin rebuilding toward the $225 resistance area. Fundamentals Nvidia’s valuation has become increasingly compelling relative to its growth and profitability, with a Rank of #11 out of the Russell 1000 stocks that we score. This is an unusual setup: the category leader in AI infrastructure trades at a substantial discount to the semiconductor group while maintaining materially stronger growth and profitability. The current multiple suggests the market is pricing in a sharp slowdown that has not yet appeared in Nvidia’s results or guidance. Bullish thesis AI infrastructure demand remains intact: Record Data Center revenue and the $91 billion quarterly revenue outlook show that demand for accelerated computing continues to expand despite volatility in semiconductor stocks. Nvidia owns the full AI stack: Nvidia combines GPUs, networking, systems, and CUDA software into a platform that remains difficult for competitors or custom silicon to displace across large-scale AI deployments. The product cycle continues beyond Blackwell: Blackwell remains in a major volume ramp while the Vera Rubin platform extends Nvidia’s architectural roadmap into the next phase of agentic and inference-driven AI spending. Full-stack dominance: Nvidia is moving from “just GPUs” to complete AI systems (CPU + GPU + networking + software), increasing stickiness and total addressable market. Options trade To express a bullish view while taking advantage of elevated volatility, I’m selling the July 31, 2026 $200 / $185 Put Vertical @ $5.38 Credit. This entails: Selling the July 31, 2026 $200 Put Buying the July 31, 2026 $185 Put Maximum reward: $538 per contract if NVDA is above $200 at expiration Maximum risk: $962 per contract if NVDA is below $185 at expiration Breakeven: $194.62 This structure benefits if Nvidia holds near $200 or recovers, while the long $185 put defines the risk if semiconductor weakness accelerates. View this Trade on OptionsPlay for Updated Pricing Summary Nvidia’s recent pullback has brought the stock back to a major support level while improving both its valuation and options premium. The company continues to deliver exceptional Data Center growth, industry-leading margins, and strong forward guidance, yet now trades at a substantial discount to the broader semiconductor group. The July put spread offers a defined-risk way to collect elevated premium while positioning for Nvidia’s AI infrastructure leadership to reassert itself. DISCLOSURES: None. All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, or its parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium. THE ABOVE CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY . THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINANCIAL, INVESTMENT, TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE OR A RECOMMENDATION TO BUY ANY SECURITY OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSET. THE CONTENT IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT REFLECT ANY INDIVIDUAL’S UNIQUE PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ABOVE CONTENT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. BEFORE MAKING ANY FINANCIAL DECISIONS, YOU SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER SEEKING ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN FINANCIAL OR INVESTMENT ADVISOR. Click here for the full disclaimer.