Intel And Oracle: Better Buys For AI Investors Than Nvidia

In the realm of AI chip dominance, Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) has been a standout performer, capturing attention with a staggering 150% surge in the first half of the year and achieving triple-digit earnings growth. The company further made headlines with its recent 10-for-1 stock split, aimed at reducing its stock price from lofty heights above $1,000. Despite Nvidia’s strong position in the AI chip market, two other players now present more compelling investment opportunities.

Intel (NASDAQ: INTC)

Intel, traditionally a leader in central processing units (CPUs), initially lagged in the AI sector but has since embarked on a transformative journey. The company’s recent focus on AI is marked by the launch of new AI products, including the Intel Core Ultra mobile processor family designed for AI personal computers and the Gaudi 3 AI accelerator. The latter boasts significant performance advantages over Nvidia’s top-selling H100, offering 50% better inference and 40% improved power efficiency at a lower cost.

Moreover, Intel’s strategic move to open its chip manufacturing network signals ambitions to become a major foundry by 2030, potentially boosting future revenues. While Nvidia currently trades at 47 times forward earnings estimates, Intel offers a more conservative valuation at 28 times, presenting an attractive opportunity as it pivots towards AI market leadership.

Oracle (NYSE: ORCL)

Oracle, although trailing cloud leader Amazon Web Services, has been rapidly expanding its footprint in the cloud market. Notably, the company achieved a milestone when its total cloud revenue surpassed license support revenue for the first time in Q3 of the 2024 fiscal year. Oracle’s cloud offerings, including Oracle Alloy and multi-cloud services, have resonated with AI customers seeking flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Recent earnings reports reflect Oracle’s accelerating demand, driven by large-scale contracts aimed at leveraging Oracle’s Gen2 AI infrastructure for language models. The company anticipates robust revenue growth in the double digits for the year, supported by a growing backlog of future revenue commitments.

Trading at just 23 times forward earnings estimates, Oracle stands out as a value proposition in the AI sector, poised to capitalize on increasing AI demand and expanding cloud services.

Conclusion

While Nvidia remains a formidable force in AI chip technology, Intel and Oracle emerge as compelling alternatives for investors seeking value and growth potential in the AI market. Intel’s resurgence in AI innovation and Oracle’s rapid cloud expansion underscore their promising trajectories, making them noteworthy contenders in the race for AI dominance.

Investors looking to capitalize on the burgeoning AI sector may find Intel and Oracle well-positioned to deliver significant returns as their AI strategies unfold and market dynamics evolve.