Jensen Huang has reportedly discussed returning to Nvidia with close associates just days after resigning as chief executive. The board is still investigating the conduct behind his departure, while CFO Colette Kress is overseeing the company on an interim basis. Nvidia is due to report quarterly results on Tuesday, putting governance questions alongside business performance in investors' focus.
Investigation and succession plans remain unresolved
Huang resigned on Thursday. Accounts of his departure have raised questions about his relationship with a subordinate and Alice Huang, an executive at Singapore-based Megaspeed. The controversy has also drawn attention to Nvidia's sales of AI chips to Asian customers and the possibility that some buyers may have links to China. The board's investigation is ongoing, with no findings or subsequent company plans announced.
One person involved in efforts to bring Huang back acknowledged that a relationship with a subordinate could be grounds for dismissing an executive. Nvidia's board has reportedly also approached Arm CEO Rene Haas about his potential as a successor. Nvidia has said it has not begun a "formal" succession search. Kress remains in charge on an interim basis, and no permanent successor has been identified.
Tech executives rally behind a possible return
Huang's supporters are seeking backing from the board. One ally is reportedly organizing technology executives to press the board and the White House to support his reinstatement. Elon Musk and Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney have backed an open letter calling on the board to bring Huang back.
Supporters say Huang retains backing from prominent figures across the technology industry. But public support does not mean the board has changed course: its investigation continues, and the company has not confirmed a formal succession process. Discussions about Huang's return have yet to produce a personnel decision.
Nvidia shares remain well below their peak ahead of results
Nvidia is scheduled to report quarterly results on Tuesday. At the time covered, its shares were more than 30% below their all-time high, leaving investors to weigh the earnings report alongside uncertainty over leadership. Available information does not specify how markets have priced the possibility of Huang's return, so its effect on the share price remains unclear.
The next key developments are the board investigation, whether Nvidia formally starts a succession process, and the quarterly results. The company has announced neither the investigation's conclusions nor whether Huang will return.