NVDA · 10-K · 2026A · Full report
Operating Expense Trends
NVIDIA CORP · 2026-02-25 · Importance 78 · Surprise 74
Total operating expenses were $23.1 billion in fiscal 2026, up 41% versus $16.4 billion in fiscal 2025, an increase of $6.7 billion. Research and development expense increased to $18.5 billion (from $12.9 billion), and sales, general and administrative increased to $4.6 billion (from $3.5 billion) in FY2026. The R&D increase was driven by a 29% rise in compensation and benefits (including stock-based compensation) and a 79% increase in compute and infrastructure costs, reflecting employee growth and higher compute requirements. SG&A increases were primarily driven by higher compensation and benefits tied to employee growth and compensation increases.
Key facts
- Operating expenses for fiscal year 2026 were $23,076 million, up 41% from $16,405 million in fiscal year 2025.
- Sales, general and administrative expense increased by $1,088 million from fiscal year 2025 to fiscal year 2026 (from $3,491 million to $4,579 million).
- NVIDIA's total operating expenses as a percentage of revenue were 10.7% in fiscal year 2026 compared to 12.6% in fiscal year 2025.
- Sales, general and administrative expense for fiscal year 2026 was $4,579 million.
Impact estimates
| metric | direction | stage | expected | basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| operating_income | negative | realized | -3.1% | Operating expenses for fiscal year 2026 were $23,076 million, up 41% from $16,405 million in fiscal year 2025. |
| margin | positive | realized | +1.9% | NVIDIA's total operating expenses as a percentage of revenue were 10.7% in fiscal year 2026 compared to 12.6% in fiscal year 2025. |
| operating_income | negative | realized | -0.5% | Sales, general and administrative expense increased by $1,088 million from fiscal year 2025 to fiscal year 2026 (from $3,491 million to… |