Ark Invest is known for its strategic investments in some of its leading and trailing companies. Cathie Wood’s premier exchange-traded fund (ETF) has witnessed a surge of 31% this year, a statistic that secures a commanding lead over the three major market indexes which only experienced single-digit percentage increases in 2025. At the end of each trading day, Ark publicly discloses their daily transactions. On a particular Wednesday, they acquired stakes in Nvidia (NVDA 1.11%), Iridium Communications (IRDM 2.21%), and Teradyne (TER 1.19%). These recent additions only serve to bolster already established positions in these companies.
The force of the artificial intelligence (AI) tide is relentless, a fact that has propelled Nvidia to the top spot in terms of market capitalization among U.S. exchange-listed companies. As creators of graphics processing units and AI chips, Nvidia has the distinction of being the first to surpass a $4 trillion market capitalization milestone this summer, clinching another all-time high in the same week.
Although Nvidia’s investors have had reason to celebrate, the journey here wasn’t devoid of tumult. Nvidia’s shares witnessed a decline of more than a third of their value in 2025, bottoming out from what seemed to be a soaring pattern. The initial trigger was the announcement from a Chinese AI startup that they had successfully developed a generative AI capability that did not require Nvidia’s latest technology. This news combined with export restrictions implemented on Nvidia’s high-end H20 chips created a one-two punch, leading to a significant sell-off.
Adding intensity to this roller-coaster ride was the robust comeback akin to the speed of some Nvidia chips. The export restrictions on H20 chips imposed by China, the world’s second-largest economy, rattled investors’ conviction. In response, Nvidia cautioned investors about potential billions in quarterly charges linked to their inability to transport their H20 chips into China.
All said, it is not all doom and gloom for Nvidia. Possibilities of resuming H20 sales emerged as transoceanic trade war negotiations progressed. As reported by Howard Lutnick, US Commerce Secretary, Nvidia’s H20 chip could form a crucial bargaining tool for rare-earth elements from China. On another positive move, the perceived cheap AI threat by China’s DeepSeek seems to be more a convoluted mirage than a steadfast reality.
Nvidia’s resilience was on full display with an impressive revenue surge of 73% in the last quarter, outperforming market expectations. Financial analysts predict a 52% revenue increase and a dramatic 47% rise in earnings per share when Nvidia discloses its financial results next month. Since hitting its lowest point in April, the company’s shares have ascended to a point where they have nearly doubled benefitting from the swift turnaround.
Nvidia’s achievement is not just another victory for the most valuable publicly traded company. The story depicts a meteoric rise of a company whose value has multiplied tenfold over just three years, a truly astronomical journey.
Alongside Nvidia, Iridium Communications might not have experienced a similarly grand redemption; however, it’s making strides towards regaining its recent prime heights. As a provider of data and voice satellite communications, Iridium is not marking growth as swiftly as its market cap leader. Nonetheless, signs of progress in its business operations are apparent.
By the end of March, Iridium boasted over 2.4 million total billable subscribers, reflecting a 5% increase from the previous year. Iridium’s report on its second-quarter results is highly anticipated in the week ahead. Their progression appears rooted primarily in the growth of the commercial internet of things sector.
Looking at Iridium’s top-line growth, the thrust is not as remarkable. The company has only had one year of double-digit revenue growth over a six-year frame. Yet, it’s the bottom-line growth where Iridium displays a more pronounced revival.
Financial analysts project that, although Iridium’s business might see a modest 6% growth in the current year slowing down to 4% next year, the bottom line is expected to leap more than 30% annually. Such an uptick in income could eventually lift Iridium’s yield, which is nearly 2% currently.
Simultaneously, the pace of growth in Teradyne’s business has started to quicken. The company, which specializes in chip-testing equipment, posted a modest 5% increase in revenue last year, reversing the trend of consecutive years of double-digit setbacks. Now, the enterprise shows promising signs of pick up, with successive quarters of double-digit gains.
Teradyne has not escaped a share of its troubles, however. The firm has unfortunately been subject to two downgrades this month alone. Despite the adversity, the interest from Ark Invest and Cathie Wood remains undeterred as they continue to invest in winners as well as enlisting in opportunistic ventures with less successful entities.
To conclude, one may see the investing strategy of Ark Invest as an organic blend of belief in future potential and a keen awareness of the historical performance of their portfolio companies. Their faith in AI supremacy, represented by their unwavering support of Nvidia, the gradual advancement of Iridium Communications, and the acceleration of Teradyne, attests to Ark Invest’s resolution in navigating the waters of the investment world with a bold and strategic approach.
Despite the volatile journey Nvidia has had so far in 2025, the firm has shown fantastic resilience, and there’s clear cause for optimism moving forward. Iridium Communications might not have witnessed the same rapid progression but is steadily striving for its peak. Furthermore, Teradyne has overcome its setbacks and is now showing promising growth.
As we examine these three diverse companies, we sense a recurring theme in Ark’s investment thesis: unyielding faith in cutting-edge technology. This, coupled with a consistent appreciation of both winners and laggards in their stock portfolio, creates a holistic investment approach that Cathie Woods embodies. The unwavering support for AI, satellite communications, and chip-testing demonstrates Ark Invest’s willingness to weather storms and foster growth, leading us to expect continued expansion in its ever-evolving portfolio.