NEW YORK, Jan 20, 2026, 04:57 EST — Premarket
- Nvidia shares slipped 0.5% in premarket trading following Inventec’s warning of delays in H200 chip sales in China
- U.S. markets reopened today following the holiday, with futures dipping amid renewed trade tensions
- Investors await clearer signals on China approvals and Nvidia’s upcoming earnings date
Nvidia shares slipped 0.5% to $186.23 in premarket trading Tuesday after Taiwanese server maker Inventec said a decision on whether Nvidia can sell its H200 AI chip in China “appears to be stuck on the China side.” Inventec President Jack Tsai noted it “depends on the political direction,” emphasizing the company must comply with regulations. (Reuters)
The update arrives just as Wall Street prepares to reopen following Monday’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. Investors are eager for an early gauge of risk appetite after the extended weekend break. (New York Stock Exchange)
Nvidia faces renewed pressure over China as a key issue in the trade. The H200, one of its top-tier data center chips, depends on timely approvals. Any hold-up could disrupt AI server orders and the wider supply chain.
Inventec, a contract manufacturer of notebooks and AI servers, incorporates Nvidia products like the H200 in certain systems and assembles servers for Chinese clients mainly at its Shanghai plant. Tsai noted the company will continue discussions with customers and move forward if permitted, but stressed, “there is nothing we can do” if not allowed.
Last week, the United States officially cleared the H200 chip for export to China, but with conditions attached. Reuters reported that Chinese customs officials have informed agents the chip cannot enter the country. It’s still uncertain if Beijing’s move is a formal ban or just a temporary restriction.
Macro headwinds are dragging markets down. Global stocks dipped, with U.S. futures sliding after President Donald Trump ramped up efforts to acquire Greenland and threatened tariffs on European countries. In Asian trading, Nasdaq and S&P 500 futures dropped over 1%. A strategist at Capital.com noted that tensions might be “self-limiting” if markets push back forcefully. (Reuters)
Chipmakers often act as a barometer for growth and geopolitical tensions, with Nvidia right at the crossroads. Even a whisper of delayed approvals from Beijing or fresh restrictions from Washington can shift the stock ahead of the opening bell.
The next moves aren’t clear-cut. China might permit limited imports for specific purposes—or it could tighten the customs restrictions with a more explicit ban. Either way, timing is critical for suppliers planning output and investors forecasting short-term revenue.
Traders are eyeing any follow-up moves from Chinese regulators, along with fresh U.S. guidance on compliance terms. They’ll also watch to see if the broader risk-off mood in futures drags into cash trading once the regular session kicks off.
Nvidia is set to release its fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings on Feb. 25, per its events calendar. (Nvidia)
