Tim Cook Tops 90% Odds on Kalshi to Succeed Huang as Nvidia Probes CEO
Odds that former Apple chief Tim Cook would succeed Jensen Huang at Nvidia briefly topped 90% on Kalshi, as the board's independent investigation into its CEO continues. Huang has not been removed, and the board said it has confidence in him.
Former Apple chief executive Tim Cook briefly topped 90% odds on the prediction market Kalshi as the likeliest successor to Jensen Huang at Nvidia, as the chipmaker's board investigates its CEO and co-founder.
Huang has not been removed. Nvidia's board said on Nov. 8 that it had opened an independent investigation into reports that Huang was the target of a foreign intelligence effort.
"While the Board has no reason to believe that either national security or NVIDIA secrets were compromised, the Board's inquiry will examine all available information," the board said in a statement. It added that Huang "fully supports the review and has committed to cooperating with it."
Reports of a possible ouster
Later reports raised the stakes. One said Huang allegedly had a relationship with an executive who reports to him. Another said the board is preparing to oust him. Nvidia's statement said the board "has confidence in Jensen and his leadership team."
Commentators have since argued over the board's options. A Time commentary by Yale-affiliated authors said the board could remove Huang, force a leave of absence or issue a reprimand. They noted Nvidia has no dual-class shares and Huang owns a single-digit percentage of the company, so the board controls his fate.
Why Cook's name is circulating
A column on Yahoo Finance argued that no Nvidia executive is a credible successor. It said Huang has about 60 direct reports, none a clear front-runner.
The column named Cook as a rare fit. It said he led Apple until earlier this year and grew it to a market value of $4 trillion. It also noted he is 66 and has built relationships with senior executives and government leaders worldwide.
The same column said the board hired the law firm Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to examine Huang's conduct. It said a negative report could push him out immediately.
The author also pointed to questions about Nvidia's Singapore sales. The column said Singapore generated 22% of the company's revenue as recently as last summer before disappearing from its financial disclosures. Nvidia has not been quoted in these accounts responding to that point.
Neither Cook nor Nvidia has commented on the betting odds in the material reviewed.
