Nvidia’s total market value as of the close Wednesday, tops in the S & P 500. It regained the No. 1 sport from Apple ($3.461 trillion) earlier this week. Microsoft is the only other company with a market value above $3 trillion ($3.089 trillion). One year ago, Nvidia's market value was around $1.243 trillion.

Goldman Sachs said Nvidia has another trick up its sleeve to drive its stock price higher going forward: a massive stock buyback program.

Nvidia, which has nearly tripled in value this year, accounted for about 20% of the S&P 500's returns over the past year, according to BofA Global Research. The market's reaction to its results is expected to be crucial in determining Wall Street's trajectory heading into the year-end.