Hargreaves Lansdown investors are buying Nvidia stock via an ETP and it’s risky

Nvidia stock has a lot of potential. But investing in it via a leveraged exchange-traded product could be very risky, says Edward Sheldon.

| More on:

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

Young Asian woman with head in hands at her desk

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

It’s no secret that UK investors have been buying Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) stock recently. What’s interesting, however, is that Hargreaves Lansdown data shows that a lot of investors have been investing via a product called the Leverage Shares PLC 3X Nvidia ETP or ‘3NVD’.

So, what’s this product all about? And is it a good way to buy shares in the chip company for my portfolio?

Leveraged exposure to Nvidia

The Leverage Shares PLC 3X Nvidia ETP is a London Stock Exchange-listed exchange-traded product (ETP) that provides exposure to Nvidia stock. However, it doesn’t provide standard exposure to the growth stock.

Instead, it provides three times the exposure to it. In other words, if Nvidia stock was to rise by 1% in a day, this ETP should in theory rise by about 3%.

High risk, high return

Now, the thing to understand about leverage is that it can magnify both gains and losses. So using it can be very risky.

If Nvidia shares were to fall by 5% in a day, this ETP would fall by about 15%. That’s a big loss.

The potential for nasty losses was illustrated earlier this month when Nvidia experienced some volatility. When the company’s share price fell by almost 10% on 3 September, the price of this ETP fell from $50.21 to $35.81. That represents a loss of approximately 29% – ouch!

It’s worth noting that to break even after a loss of 29% one would need to generate a gain of about 41%.

My thoughts

Given the high-risk nature of this product, I won’t be touching it any time soon. For me, it’s far too risky.

That said, I remain very bullish on Nvidia itself. Many people believe this stock is in an AI bubble today. I disagree.

In my view, this is a company with substantial growth potential thanks to its leading position in the AI chip market. And I believe the shares are reasonably valued at present.

For the year ending 31 January 2026 (the next financial year), analysts expect Nvidia to generate earnings per share of $4.02 (I actually think earnings may be way higher than this). That puts the stock on a forward-looking price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of under 30.

Given that revenue and earnings are projected to grow by over 40% next year, that multiple looks very fair to me.

We are at the beginning of a new industrial revolution.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang

I’ll be buying more shares soon

Of course, there are plenty of risks here.

Right now, much of the growth is coming from spending by the other ‘Magnificent 7’ companies. This year, for example, around 45% of Microsoft’s capital expenditure is going to Nvidia.

If these companies were to pull back on their AI spending, Nvidia’s growth could slow and the shares could fall.

Another risk is new AI chips from competitors. At present, many of the Mag 7 companies are working on their own chips.

Given that AI is realistically still in its infancy, however, I see a long growth runway ahead for Nvidia. And while it’s a large holding for me already, I plan to buy a few more shares in the company for my portfolio soon.

Edward Sheldon has positions in London Stock Exchange Group Plc, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Hargreaves Lansdown, Microsoft and Nvidia. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.

More on Investing Articles

This way, That way, The other way - pointing in different directions
Investing Articles

With 55% earnings growth forecast, here’s where Vodafone’s share price ‘should’ be trading…

Consensus forecasts point to 55% annual earnings growth to 2028. With a strategic shift ongoing, how undervalued is Vodafone’s share…

Read more »

A pastel colored growing graph with rising rocket.
Investing Articles

Here’s how I’m targeting £12,959 a year in my retirement from £20,000 in this ultra-high yielding FTSE 100 income share…

Analysts forecast this high-yield FTSE 100 income share will deliver rising dividends and capital gains, making it a powerful long-term…

Read more »

A senior man using hiking poles, on a hike on a coastal path along the coastline of Cornwall. He is looking away from the camera at the view.
Investing Articles

Is Diageo quietly turning into a top dividend share like British American Tobacco?

Smoking may be dying out but British American Tobacco remains a top dividend share. Harvey Jones wonders if ailing spirits…

Read more »

Young woman holding up three fingers
Investing Articles

Just released: our 3 top income-focused stocks to consider buying in December [PREMIUM PICKS]

Our goal here is to highlight some of our past recommendations that we think are of particular interest today, due…

Read more »

Person holding magnifying glass over important document, reading the small print
Investing Articles

Tesco’s share price: is boring brilliant?

Tesco delivers steady profits, dividends, and market share gains. So is its share price undervaluing the resilience of Britain’s biggest…

Read more »

Businessman hand stacking money coins with virtual percentage icons
Investing Articles

1 huge takeaway from the Martin Lewis investing presentation

Martin Lewis showed how returns from stocks have smashed the returns from cash savings over the last decade. But here’s…

Read more »

Middle aged businesswoman using laptop while working from home
Investing For Beginners

I think the best days for Lloyds’ share price are over. Here’s why

Jon Smith explains why Lloyds' share price could come under increasing pressure over the coming year, with factors including a…

Read more »

A graph made of neon tubes in a room
Investing Articles

£5,000 invested in the FTSE 100 at the start of 2025 is now worth…

Looking to invest in the FTSE 100? Royston Wild believes buying individual shares could be the best way to target…

Read more »