Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (NASDAQ: AMD) finished Tuesday’s session in a narrow—but headline-driven—range as investors weighed fresh China-linked catalysts for AI accelerators against a shifting U.S. policy backdrop for semiconductors. With U.S. markets set to open Wednesday, December 24, 2025 on a shortened holiday session, AMD traders are heading into the next open watching two things above all: export-related developments (and any confirmation around China demand) and thin-liquidity price action that can amplify moves in megacap tech.
AMD stock recap: where shares closed and how they looked after the bell
AMD ended the regular session down 0.36% at $214.18, after trading between $212.33 and $216.26, with roughly 14.34 million shares changing hands, according to Investing.com’s historical pricing page. [1]
In early extended trading immediately after the close, AMD shares were little changed around the mid-$214s based on the latest available quote shortly after the bell—suggesting no major new company-specific headline hit the tape after 4 p.m. ET. [2]
Why this matters for tomorrow: when a stock ends the day near the middle of its range and after-hours is calm, the next session often becomes a referendum on the next headline—especially in AI hardware, where policy and customer demand stories can reprice expectations quickly.
The big AMD story today: China demand chatter for MI308 accelerators
The most discussed AMD catalyst on December 23 was renewed focus on China-compliant AI accelerators, specifically the MI308.
A TechNode report said Alibaba is considering purchasing 40,000 to 50,000 MI308 AI accelerators. The report describes MI308 as an AMD chip tailored for China that has received U.S. export approval, while also noting a 15% licensing fee requirement. TechNode added detail that the MI308 is equipped with 192GB of HBM3 memory and positioned the product as capable of running long-context inference for large models on a single card. [3]
That rumor set up the core question the market is asking right now:
If China sales reopen even partially, how much upside could AMD see?
An Investing.com analysis citing Raymond James analyst Simon Leopold laid out a “best-case” framework: $500 million to $800 million in incremental AMD revenue, translating to approximately $0.10 to $0.20 of non-GAAP EPS upside (in an optimistic scenario). The same note flagged that speculation centers on 40,000 to 50,000 MI308 units and highlighted uncertainty about approval timing, shipment ramp, and how the 15% payment to the U.S. government is treated in pricing and accounting. [4]
It’s a meaningful range—but not a slam dunk. The Raymond James framework emphasized that multiple “moving parts” remain, including whether China’s government allows or discourages cloud operators from buying U.S. GPUs and how license fees flow through financials. [5]
Why this China angle is colliding with Nvidia headlines
AMD’s China narrative isn’t happening in isolation. A Motley Fool piece published today pointed to reports that Nvidia is preparing to ship H200s to China, while also noting AMD’s AI chips have “caught the eye” of a major Chinese company. [6]
For AMD investors, the near-term takeaway is less about “AMD vs. Nvidia” and more about the shared dependency: any sign that export licenses and shipments are becoming less restrictive tends to lift the entire AI-chip complex, while any renewed crackdown can do the opposite.
The policy backdrop that matters for AMD: tariffs pushed out, uncertainty still in
While MI308 chatter drove the stock-specific discussion, the broader semiconductor policy environment also moved today.
Reuters reported the Trump administration said it will impose tariffs tied to a “Section 301” probe into Chinese “legacy” chips—but delayed the action until June 2027, with the tariff rate to be announced at least 30 days in advance. Reuters also noted the industry is awaiting a separate, broader tariff investigation into global chip imports under a “Section 232” national security statute, which could widen the scope beyond China and beyond chips alone. [7]
Even when tariffs target imports rather than U.S. chip designers directly, AMD can still be affected through:
- Supply chain pricing and customer demand
- Retaliatory policy risk
- Sentiment shocks across semiconductors and AI infrastructure
Market mood today: risk-on tilt after strong U.S. data
Macro context matters because AMD has been trading as a high-beta AI proxy.
Reuters reported that major U.S. indexes were up on Tuesday after stronger-than-expected U.S. economic data, including a report showing U.S. GDP grew at a 4.3% annualized rate in Q3 (well above the Reuters-polled forecast). [8]
When the macro tape is “risk-on,” AI/semis typically benefit—unless a policy headline hits the sector specifically.
What to know before the market opens tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025)
Here’s the practical checklist for AMD watchers heading into tomorrow’s session:
1) It’s a shortened Christmas Eve trading day
The NYSE holiday schedule states markets will close early at 1:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 24, 2025 (with eligible options closing at 1:15 p.m. ET). [9]
A MarketWatch service guide also highlights the 1 p.m. ET early close for the NYSE and Nasdaq and notes bond markets typically shut earlier as well. [10]
Reuters previously reported major U.S. exchanges planned to remain open on Dec. 24 and Dec. 26, with the previously planned early close on Dec. 24 still in place. [11]
Why that matters for AMD: holiday sessions can bring lighter liquidity, which can exaggerate moves—especially in widely traded momentum names.
2) Watch the economic calendar for jobless claims and oil data
Investing.com previewed Wednesday’s docket as including initial jobless claims and crude oil inventories. [12]
Even if AMD is driven mainly by AI headlines, macro surprises can swing index futures and tech risk appetite.
3) Expect headline sensitivity around China approvals and customer orders
If new reporting confirms (or refutes) the scale/timing of Alibaba MI308 purchases, or clarifies export approval mechanics and fees, it could move AMD quickly—especially on a half-day session. [13]
Similarly, any follow-through on reports of renewed high-end GPU shipments to China—often discussed in the context of Nvidia—can influence sentiment for AMD by association. [14]
4) Use today’s range as the near-term “reference band”
With AMD trading $212.33–$216.26 today, that band is likely to act as the first set of levels traders watch for a breakout or breakdown in a thin session. [15]
Street expectations and the next major AMD catalyst
For longer-horizon context, TradingView’s compiled analyst forecast range shows AMD estimates spanning from $200 (low) to $380 (high). TradingView also lists AMD’s next earnings report date as Feb. 3, 2026. [16]
That puts extra emphasis on the weeks ahead: if China-compliant accelerator demand becomes more visible before earnings, it could influence how the Street models 2026 data center growth.
Bottom line for AMD heading into Dec. 24
AMD’s after-hours action Tuesday was relatively quiet, but the story investors are trading is not: China-compliant AI accelerators, possible large customer orders, and policy/approval uncertainty remain the dominant drivers into the next session. On a short Christmas Eve trading day, those narratives can hit harder than usual.
If you’re watching AMD into the open, the most important thing isn’t guessing direction—it’s tracking confirmation (or denial) of the China MI308 demand story, and recognizing that holiday liquidity can magnify reactions to even incremental updates. [17]
References
1. www.investing.com, 2. www.tradingview.com, 3. technode.com, 4. www.investing.com, 5. www.investing.com, 6. www.fool.com, 7. www.reuters.com, 8. www.reuters.com, 9. www.nyse.com, 10. www.marketwatch.com, 11. www.reuters.com, 12. www.investing.com, 13. technode.com, 14. www.fool.com, 15. www.investing.com, 16. www.tradingview.com, 17. technode.com
