Breakfast News: Nvidia Unveils Major GTC Updates

Breakfast News: Nvidia Unveils Major GTC Updates

March 17, 2026

Source: Image created by Jester AI.

1. NVDA Rises on Conference Initiatives

Nvidia (NVDA +1.63%) closed 1.6% higher yesterday after sharing detailed progress on a host of key projects at GTC (GPU Technology Conference), including self-driving cars from Uber (UBER +1.81%) and more progress on AI software for the OpenClaw platform.

• Nvidia-powered autonomous fleet to roll out in 2027: A clear timeline was provided on taking the joint project with Uber to market, with Los Angeles and San Francisco identified as testing cities before expanding to 28 cities across four continents.
• NemoClaw platform launch boosts OpenClaw security: NemoClaw provides more privacy and security controls for customers using AI software, allowing self-evolving AI agents to be more scalable and trusted going forward.

2. Alphabet Taps China for AI Cooling Gear

Reuters reports **Alphabet **(GOOG +0.98%) is in discussions with Chinese-based suppliers for liquid-cooling hardware needed for the continued AI data center buildout, as tight supply forces the company to look further afield for components.

• Liquid-cooling systems becoming critical for AI data centers: Given the high-density computing produces more heat than traditional cooling systems can handle, demand is outstripping supply for liquid systems. The market size for them is expected to jump to $17 billion this year, up from $8.9 billion in 2025.
• **A geopolitical tightrope to balance on: **The growing role of Chinese suppliers in U.S. data center growth despite ongoing trade tensions is unlikely to go unnoticed by authorities, with potential future restrictions on security concerns.

3. Defense Stocks Rally on Low-Cost Tech

• Defense sector stocks – including Rule Breakers recommendation AeroVironment (AVAV +2.32%) and Hidden Gems rec L3Harris Technologies (LHX +2.02%) – closed over 2% higher after low-cost weapons systems were featured on CBS’ 60 Minutes show.
• AVAV laser system promoted as a financially effective solution: AeroVironment CEO Wahid Nawabi was interviewed and discussed how Iranian drones costing as low as $20,000 were being shot down with missiles sometimes costing $4 million each. AVAV’s directed energy laser weapon costs just a few dollars to shoot.
• **“This is a well-positioned company for this environment that should be a winner among its peers”: **Fool contributing analyst Lou Whiteman praised L3Harris Technologies earlier this month, saying “I like their exposure to areas that the Pentagon has screamed are priorities.” The stock is beating the S&P 500 by 37% since the May 2024 Hidden Gems rec.

4. Next Up: Pandemic Winners Report

• **Academy Sports and Outdoors **(ASO +0.30%) reports ahead of the market open. The Dividend Investor rec is projected to grow revenue by 4-5% versus the same period last year, with an update on the planned 20-25 new store openings this year in focus.
• Lululemon (LULU +1.35%) releases results after the closing bell. Fool analyst Samneet Deo says the company has “a lot of storm clouds.” But “can we see through them? If we squint, I think we can.” He concludes, “the stock looks extremely cheap right now but with earnings coming up, I would wait to digest the earnings and evaluate then.”
• DocuSign (DOCU 0.49%) also reports after the market closes, with growth for the Rule Breakers rec increasingly dependent on enterprise customer growth and pushing AI platform adoption.

5. Your Take

Which ‘sleeping giant’ in your portfolio has you convinced despite its current stagnation, and why?

Debate with friends and family, or become a member to hear what your fellow Fools are saying!