Is Nvidia share price at risk as DeepSeek creates an alternative lower cost AI direction?

China and U.S. AI

Nvidia’s share price has been on a rollercoaster ride recently. After experiencing a significant drop due to concerns over the Chinese startup DeepSeek’s AI models, Nvidia’s stock saw a sharp recovery.

On Tuesday 28th January 2025 Nvidia shares ended 8.82% higher at $128.86 on Nasdaq, following a 17% drop the previous day.

However, there are mixed opinions about the potential for more downside. Some analysts believe that Nvidia’s stock still looks weak on the technical charts and may face further declines.

Some analysts suggest that Nvidia shares may trade in the range of $105 to $135 and recommend a ‘sell on rise’ strategy. Some also pointed out signs of technical deterioration, suggesting that Nvidia’s stock may be entering an intermediate-term corrective phase.

On the other hand, some investors are optimistic about Nvidia’s long-term growth prospects, especially with its strong fundamentals and continued advancements in AI technology.

The market remains dynamic, and the stock’s performance will likely depend on various factors, including broader market trends and developments in the AI industry.

Nvidia meteoric will likely change dramatically when face with an alternative AI chip manufacturer.

Doubt cast

DeepSeek, has made significant advancements in AI technology. There are claims and speculations that DeepSeek may have used some U.S. technology to enhance its capabilities.

For instance, it was reported that DeepSeek acquired a substantial number of Nvidia’s high-performance A100 graphics processor chips before the U.S. imposed restrictions on their sales to China. Additionally, there have been allegations that DeepSeek copied some technology developed by U.S. rival OpenAI.

However, these are unfounded claims and it’s important to point out that DeepSeek has also been praised for its innovation and efficiency, developing AI models at a fraction of the cost compared to leading U.S. tech companies.

This may even aid Nvidia as it could drive the cost of AI down bringing it to a wider audience more quickly thus enhancing Nvidia’s future sales.

Fed holds rates steady – calculates a less confident view on inflation

Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve maintained its key interest rate on Wednesday 29th January 2025, reversing a recent trend of policy easing as it assesses the likely turbulent political and economic landscape ahead.

As expected, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) left its borrowing rate unchanged in a range between 4.25% and 4.50%.

The decision followed three consecutive cuts since 2024 and marked the first Federal Reserve meeting since frequent Fed critic Donald Trump assumed the presidency last week. He almost immediately expressed his intention for the central bank to cut rates.

The post-meeting statement scattered a few clues about the reasoning behind the decision to hold rates steady. It offered a more optimistic view on the U.S. labour market while losing a key and telling reference from the December 2024 statement that inflation ‘has made progress toward’ the Fed’s 2% inflation goal.

Statement

Text appearing for the first time in the new statement is in red and underlined. Black text appears in both statements.

Text appearing for the first time in the new statement is in red and underlined. Black text appears in both statements.

The decision comes against a volatile political backdrop.

In just over a week, Trump has disrupted Washington’s policy and norms by signing hundreds of orders aimed at implementing an aggressive agenda.

The U.S. president has endorsed tariffs instruments of economic and foreign policy, authorised a wave of deportations for those crossing the border illegally, and a series of deregulatory initiatives.

Trump spoke of his confidence that he will bring down inflation and said he would ‘demand’ that interest rate be lowered ‘immediately.’

Although the president lacks authority over Fed beyond nominating board members, Trump’s statement indicated a potentially contentious relationship with policymakers, similar to his first term.

Inflation has moved down sharply from the 40-year peak it hit in mid-2022, but the Fed’s 2% goal has remained elusive.

In fact, the central bank’s preferred pricing gauge showed headline inflation ticked higher to 2.4% in November, the highest since July, while the core measure excluding food and energy held at 2.8%.