Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has until Nov. 11 to tell Congress whether he is willing to answer questions about an alleged Chinese espionage case involving an executive at a Nvidia customer. The matter puts management and potential reputational risks in focus as investors weigh recent share-price moves and the company’s upcoming earnings. The allegations remain unverified, and no government official or Nvidia board member has publicly called for Huang to resign.
Nvidia shares closed at $186.64 on Nov. 6, after falling 9.3% the previous day. Huang’s response deadline comes ahead of the company’s Nov. 17 earnings release, scheduled one day before a proposed congressional briefing.
Unreleased memo names Megaspeed executive
The dispute centers on an unreleased U.S. intelligence memo that alleges China’s main intelligence agency recruited Alice Huang, an executive at Nvidia customer Megaspeed. Reports have also alleged that Alice Huang and Jensen Huang were romantically involved. Neither claim has been substantiated, and because the memo has not been made public, its underlying evidence cannot be independently assessed.
Nvidia said the contacts in question were “not unusual.” The response has not resolved questions about the details of the allegations, the nature of the contacts or their potential implications. Public information so far does not show that the board or government officials have sought Jensen Huang’s departure, or that he has been asked to step down as CEO.
Response deadline falls ahead of earnings
Congress has asked Huang to say by Nov. 11 whether he will answer questions about the alleged espionage case. That deadline does not mean a hearing or briefing has been formally scheduled. The proposed briefing date is Nov. 18, while Nvidia is due to report earnings on Nov. 17.
The closely spaced dates leave investors assessing the company’s operating results alongside developments in the inquiry. Nvidia shares dropped 9.3% on Nov. 5 and closed at $186.64 the following day, but the available information does not establish that the allegations alone drove the decline. Investors are watching whether Huang agrees to answer questions, whether Nvidia provides further details about the contacts and what the earnings report says about the business.