Nvidia Takes 9.3% Stake in Nebius, Sending Shares Up 7%
Nvidia's purchase of a 9.3% stake in Nebius reinforces the chipmaker's strategy of backing key infrastructure providers, sending the European AI data centre operator's shares up 7%.
Nvidia has acquired a 9.3% stake in Nebius, extending a financial relationship that already includes a prior $2 billion investment. Shares of the Amsterdam-based artificial intelligence data centre operator climbed 7% on the news, reflecting market optimism about the strategic alignment.
The rally adds to a dramatic 12-month run for Nebius, during which its stock has gained roughly 250%. The company now commands a market capitalization of $46 billion. So far in 2026, shares have risen 110% to trade at $196.52 in New York, pricing in massive expected growth in AI compute demand. Investors are closely watching whether this momentum can be maintained as capital expenditure cycles across the technology sector mature.
For market participants, the equity purchase underscores Nvidia’s strategy of securing demand for its chips by financially backing key infrastructure providers. As one of Europe's leading AI data centre operators, Nebius has positioned itself as a critical bridge for U.S. technology giants seeking computing power outside their own proprietary networks. The two companies already collaborate deeply on AI infrastructure, fleet management, inference, and factory design.
This latest investment fits a broader pattern of Nvidia anchoring itself to the top tier of AI developers. The microchip giant recently contributed $30 billion to OpenAI’s most recent funding round and participated in Anthropic’s $30 billion equity raise in February.
Nebius is building the physical capacity to justify these valuations and partnerships. In March, Meta Platforms signed a long-term agreement to spend up to $27 billion on Nebius's AI infrastructure. To help fund this capital-intensive expansion, Nebius raised $775 million in debt through a corporate bond sale as recently as July.
The combination of Nvidia's financial backing and Meta's off-take agreements provides Nebius with a rare level of revenue visibility in the volatile AI sector. However, sustaining a $46 billion valuation will ultimately depend on the company's ability to execute its massive infrastructure buildout on time and within budget.
