Track market-moving stories before they get noisy

Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM – Free Report) by 12.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 40,688 shares of the wireless technology company’s stock after buying an additional 4,602 shares during the period. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC’s holdings in Qualcomm were worth $7,488,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd boosted its position in Qualcomm by 17,000.0% during the fourth quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 171 shares of the wireless technology company’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares during the last quarter. ABS Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Qualcomm in the 2nd quarter worth about $34,000. ABS Direct Equity Fund LLC acquired a new position in Qualcomm in the 2nd quarter worth about $34,000. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP purchased a new stake in shares of Qualcomm during the 1st quarter worth about $26,000. Finally, Burk Holdings LLC raised its stake in shares of Qualcomm by 191.7% during the 2nd quarter. Burk Holdings LLC now owns 210 shares of the wireless technology company’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 138 shares in the last quarter. 74.35% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Qualcomm News Roundup Here are the key news stories impacting Qualcomm this week:

Positive Sentiment: ETFs recorded approximately $141.5 million in net Qualcomm purchases on Tuesday, followed by additional ETF buying reported for October 21. Passive and institutional demand can provide near-term support for QCOM. Qualcomm sees $141.5 million in net ETF buying Positive Sentiment: An analyst upgrade and a higher price target of $200 signal improving sentiment and suggest potential upside from current valuation levels. Qualcomm stock jumps on analyst upgrade Qualcomm price target raised to $200 Positive Sentiment: A bullish investment thesis argues Qualcomm is being undervalued as it builds businesses in automotive, data centers and custom silicon, potentially making it a longer-term artificial-intelligence beneficiary rather than solely a handset-chip company. This chip stock could be a sleeper AI winner Positive Sentiment: Qualcomm declared a quarterly dividend of $0.92 per share, or $3.68 annualized, representing an approximately 2.1% yield and reinforcing its shareholder-return appeal. Qualcomm declares quarterly dividend Neutral Sentiment: Qualcomm will release fiscal fourth-quarter and full-year 2026 results after the market closes on November 4. The report and guidance are the next major catalysts for the stock. Qualcomm schedules fiscal 2026 earnings release Neutral Sentiment: Coverage from 37 analysts highlights substantial investor attention ahead of earnings, while a valuation review says the shares are near fair value after strong long-term gains. Qualcomm schedules November results Qualcomm stock remains near fair value Negative Sentiment: Erste Group cut its fiscal 2027 EPS forecast to $7.28 from $7.31, below the broader consensus estimate of $7.71, indicating modest pressure on forward earnings expectations. Qualcomm earnings estimate cut Negative Sentiment: Qualcomm’s executive vice president sold approximately $437,650 of company stock, which may weigh modestly on sentiment, although a single insider transaction is not necessarily a change in business outlook. Qualcomm insider selling Negative Sentiment: Comparisons with Intel point to Qualcomm’s more uneven revenue trend and recent sequential declines. Reports also describe automotive growth being offset by pressure on handset earnings, keeping smartphone weakness a key risk. Intel versus Qualcomm revenue comparison Qualcomm automotive growth and handset pressure Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently issued reports on QCOM. Robert W. Baird set a $400.00 price target on Qualcomm in a report on Thursday, July 30th. Zacks Research lowered shares of Qualcomm from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 15th. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “hold (c)” rating on shares of Qualcomm in a research report on Monday, September 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $160.00 target price on shares of Qualcomm in a research note on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of Qualcomm from $231.00 to $220.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, twenty-one have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $205.83. Read Our Latest Report on QCOM

Qualcomm Price Performance Shares of Qualcomm stock opened at $175.91 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 2.02, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $176.17 and a 200-day simple moving average of $181.00. The stock has a market capitalization of $187.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.55, a PEG ratio of 3.89 and a beta of 1.65. Qualcomm Incorporated has a 1-year low of $121.99 and a 1-year high of $259.92.

Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM – Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The wireless technology company reported $2.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.23 by ($0.02). Qualcomm had a net margin of 21.01% and a return on equity of 38.36%. The firm had revenue of $9.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.69 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.77 earnings per share. The business’s quarterly revenue was down 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Qualcomm has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 2.050-2.250 EPS. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Qualcomm Incorporated will post 7.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Qualcomm Announces Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 17th. Investors of record on Thursday, December 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.92 per share. This represents a $3.68 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 3rd. Qualcomm’s payout ratio is currently 42.59%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Qualcomm In other news, EVP Heather S. Ace sold 3,200 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $147.04, for a total value of $470,528.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 36,535 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $5,372,106.40. This represents a 8.05% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Cristiano R. Amon sold 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total value of $2,000,000.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 177,568 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $35,513,600. This represents a 5.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold 33,458 shares of company stock worth $6,198,144 in the last ninety days. 0.05% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Qualcomm Profile (Free Report)

Qualcomm Incorporated is a technology company that develops and commercializes wireless communications and semiconductor technologies. Through Qualcomm Technologies, Inc, the company designs integrated circuits, system software and related platforms used in smartphones, personal computers, automobiles, industrial equipment, consumer devices and other connected products. Its Snapdragon platforms support mobile computing, connectivity, artificial intelligence and multimedia applications, while its broader portfolio includes radio-frequency systems, networking and edge-computing technologies.

Qualcomm also operates a significant technology-licensing business through its Qualcomm Technology Licensing segment.

Recommended Stories Five stocks we like better than Qualcomm Spotify Soars After Earnings as the Company Touts AI Benefits and Moderating Costs Lockheed Martin’s Record $292 Billion Backlog Comes With a Delivery Test Palantir’s Next Big Test Isn’t a Partnership—It’s the Numbers Kinder Morgan’s $4.7 Billion Pipeline Bet Could Be Bigger Than Its Earnings Beat

Receive News & Ratings for Qualcomm Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Qualcomm and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

Susquehanna lifted its price target on Qualcomm
QCOM -2.64% 92

to $185 from $160 while maintaining a Neutral rating, as the investment firm anticipates potential upside in upcoming semiconductor results and quarterly forecasts, according to a Wednesday analyst note.

The revised target points to a more constructive view of Qualcomm's valuation, though the unchanged rating signals that the firm has not shifted its overall stance on the shares. The note places the company within a broader semiconductor industry outlook that includes demand from artificial intelligence and other markets.

Susquehanna expects third-quarter results and fourth-quarter guidance across the chip sector to come in somewhat better than anticipated. Artificial intelligence remains a potential source of strength, but the firm also sees an ongoing recovery across the wider semiconductor market.

For Qualcomm, investor attention may center on whether demand beyond traditional smartphone processors can help sustain growth. The company has been expanding its presence in automotive, Internet of Things and data-center-related markets, while the semiconductor sector faces differing demand conditions across end markets.

The higher target gives investors a new benchmark ahead of earnings updates, but Susquehanna's Neutral rating indicates that the firm sees reasons for caution alongside the potential for improved results.

Check the Warning Signs for

QCOM

now!

Qualcomm plans worldwide job cuts beginning in November.

Summary

The company has about 52,000 employees globally.

Wireless chipmaker Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM, Financials) is planning a round of layoffs around the world as it retools its workforce for a changing technology market.

The company will do a “performance-based reduction” following its annual review process and expects to start notifying workers in November, CEO Cristiano Amon told employees.

Qualcomm did not disclose how many jobs it will cut.

Timing is the key.

Weak consumer electronics demand and high memory prices are still putting pressure on the company, while its traditional smartphone business is also preparing for lower revenue related to Apple products.

At the same time, Qualcomm is trying to build a much larger business outside of handsets.

Management expects areas such as AI data centers to gain importance, with non-handset businesses likely to spur more of the company's chip sales in the future.

For investors, the layoffs are less about cost-cutting than about where Qualcomm wants to spend its next dollar.

The company wants to shift resources toward new markets without the cost structure built around smartphones.

Next, watch the size of the November cuts and if Qualcomm gives more clarity on targets for AI and data-center revenue.

Disclosures
I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and have no plans to buy any new positions in the stocks mentioned within the next 72 hours.

Click for the complete disclosure

Diversify Advisory Services LLC raised its holdings in shares of Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM – Free Report) by 20.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 90,259 shares of the wireless technology company’s stock after purchasing an additional 15,287 shares during the period. Diversify Advisory Services LLC’s holdings in Qualcomm were worth $16,102,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Petredis Investment Advisors LLC boosted its position in Qualcomm by 1.4% during the 3rd quarter. Petredis Investment Advisors LLC now owns 15,296 shares of the wireless technology company’s stock valued at $2,815,000 after acquiring an additional 209 shares in the last quarter. Rare Wolf Capital LLC raised its position in shares of Qualcomm by 14.2% in the 3rd quarter. Rare Wolf Capital LLC now owns 2,409 shares of the wireless technology company’s stock worth $443,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. AMI Asset Management Corp raised its position in shares of Qualcomm by 0.8% in the 3rd quarter. AMI Asset Management Corp now owns 8,051 shares of the wireless technology company’s stock worth $1,482,000 after acquiring an additional 64 shares in the last quarter. Robinson Value Management Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of Qualcomm by 40.5% during the 3rd quarter. Robinson Value Management Ltd. now owns 34,184 shares of the wireless technology company’s stock worth $6,291,000 after purchasing an additional 9,858 shares during the last quarter. Finally, DUTCH ASSET Corp lifted its stake in shares of Qualcomm by 8.8% during the 3rd quarter. DUTCH ASSET Corp now owns 2,467 shares of the wireless technology company’s stock worth $454,000 after purchasing an additional 199 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.35% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling at Qualcomm In other news, EVP Ann Chaplin sold 1,827 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.75, for a total value of $319,268.25. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 25,770 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $4,503,307.50. This represents a 6.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, CEO Cristiano Amon sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.00, for a total value of $2,000,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 177,568 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $35,513,600. The trade was a 5.33% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 33,458 shares of company stock worth $6,198,144. 0.05% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

More Qualcomm News Here are the key news stories impacting Qualcomm this week: Positive Sentiment: TD Cowen raised its price target to $200 from $175 and upgraded Qualcomm to “Buy,” implying meaningful upside from recent trading levels and signaling greater confidence in the company’s valuation and outlook. Positive Sentiment: Qualcomm’s planned acquisition of PickNik Robotics could strengthen its physical-AI strategy. The deal may expand the Dragonwing platform, improve Qualcomm’s position in industrial robotics and create longer-term growth opportunities beyond smartphones. Can Qualcomm’s PickNik Acquisition Strengthen Its Robotics Edge? Positive Sentiment: Reported global job cuts may improve efficiency and margins as CEO Cristiano Amon emphasizes performance and operating discipline. Investors may view the restructuring as a way to control expenses and redirect resources toward higher-growth businesses. Qualcomm to Cut Jobs Worldwide in Performance-Focused Layoffs Neutral Sentiment: Qualcomm recently closed at $176.31 and outperformed the broader market during the session, reflecting favorable near-term sentiment, although this move was not tied to a new earnings release. Neutral Sentiment: Qualcomm rejected reports concerning Snapdragon overheating tied to the Galaxy S27 Ultra. The response may limit reputational and customer-retention concerns, but the issue could remain a product-risk overhang if additional evidence emerges. Qualcomm Pushes Back on Snapdragon Overheating Reports Negative Sentiment: Global layoffs also highlight pressure to improve performance. Potential disruption, severance expenses and uncertainty about the scale and timing of the cuts could weigh on employee morale and execution. Qualcomm Reportedly to Cut Jobs Globally Following Performance Reviews Negative Sentiment: Recent ETF selling and sustained insider selling add technical and sentiment risks. Qualcomm insiders reportedly recorded open-market sales without purchases over the past six months, while ETFs were net sellers on October 15. Qualcomm Price Performance NASDAQ QCOM opened at $175.71 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 2.02 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $175.51 and its 200 day moving average price is $180.35. Qualcomm Incorporated has a 1 year low of $121.99 and a 1 year high of $259.92. The company has a market cap of $187.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.63, a PEG ratio of 3.91 and a beta of 1.65.

Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The wireless technology company reported $2.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.23 by ($0.02). Qualcomm had a return on equity of 38.36% and a net margin of 21.01%. The firm had revenue of $9.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $9.69 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business earned $2.77 EPS. The business’s revenue was down 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. Qualcomm has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 2.050-2.250 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Qualcomm Incorporated will post 7.74 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Robert W. Baird set a $400.00 price objective on Qualcomm in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $160.00 price target on shares of Qualcomm in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. DZ Bank upgraded shares of Qualcomm from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $265.00 price target on the stock in a report on Friday, June 26th. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on shares of Qualcomm from $231.00 to $220.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Finally, Zacks Research downgraded shares of Qualcomm from a “hold” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 15th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, twenty-one have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, Qualcomm has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $204.97.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on QCOM

Qualcomm Profile (Free Report)

Qualcomm Incorporated is a technology company that develops and commercializes wireless communications and semiconductor technologies. Through Qualcomm Technologies, Inc, the company designs integrated circuits, system software and related platforms used in smartphones, personal computers, automobiles, industrial equipment, consumer devices and other connected products. Its Snapdragon platforms support mobile computing, connectivity, artificial intelligence and multimedia applications, while its broader portfolio includes radio-frequency systems, networking and edge-computing technologies.

Qualcomm also operates a significant technology-licensing business through its Qualcomm Technology Licensing segment.

Further Reading Five stocks we like better than Qualcomm Aurora Rejects Curaleaf’s Higher Bid, But the Takeover Fight Isn’t Over Centrus Energy Is Building a Nuclear Fuel Powerhouse—Why Is Its Stock Struggling? Halliburton Gains Traction: Multiyear Upcycle Ahead Meta Platforms’ AI Comeback Faces an Earnings Test—And a $10 Billion Charge Want to see what other hedge funds are holding QCOM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM – Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Qualcomm Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Qualcomm and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

Qualcomm
QCOM +0.62% 92

shares fell 0.8% in premarket trading Tuesday after a report said the chipmaker plans to reduce its workforce following annual employee reviews in November, according to Reuters.

Chief Executive Cristiano Amon outlined a “performance-focused reduction” in a memo sent to employees, Reuters reported, citing the internal communication. The report did not provide a potential job-cut figure or identify the business units that could be affected.

The planned workforce changes are expected to follow Qualcomm's November review process. However, the available report did not clarify whether the reductions would involve employees across the company or focus on particular departments.

The report also did not specify whether Qualcomm expects the cuts to generate cost savings or provide an estimate of their potential financial impact. Details about the timing of any employee departures were not included.

Qualcomm has not provided a public figure for the proposed reduction in the information cited by Reuters. The scale of the cuts and the number of employees potentially affected therefore remain uncertain as the company approaches its annual evaluations.

Check the Warning Signs for

QCOM

now!

Qualcomm (QCOM.O) will cut jobs globally in a "performance-focused reduction" following its annual employee reviews, CEO Cristiano Amon told staff in ​a memo on Monday reviewed by Reuters, with notifications set ‌to begin in November.

The cuts are part of an effort to build "a stronger performance culture" and address situations where the company "has consistently fallen short of expectations," Amon said.

The memo did ​not say how many jobs would be affected, and Reuters could ​not immediately determine the scale of the cuts.

Qualcomm did not ⁠immediately respond to a request for comment. It had about 52,000 employees globally ​as of September last year, most of them full-time. Its financial year typically ​ends in late September.

One of the world's biggest smartphone chipmakers, Qualcomm has been hit this year by a slump in consumer electronics sales as soaring memory prices weigh on ​demand in key markets.

Its shares have risen just 1.5% in 2026, compared with ​gains of more than 12% for the benchmark S&P 500 (.SPX) and nearly 60% for the ‌Philadelphia ⁠Semiconductor Index (.SOX).

In its latest earnings report in late July, Qualcomm forecast quarterly profit below estimates and said revenue from Apple products would decline faster than expected, while signaling that growth in data-center and other non-handset businesses would more ​than offset the lost ​revenue by fiscal ⁠2027.

The company expects the majority of its chip sales to come from businesses other than smartphones in fiscal 2027 ​as it expands into the fast-growing AI data-center market.

Amon said ​in the ⁠memo business priorities, organizational needs, skills and expertise would be considered in making the cuts.

"As we have expanded the business, so have the competencies and skills ⁠we require," ​he wrote. "We must have the right people ​in the right roles so they can perform at their best and the company can continue to ​succeed."

Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM – Get Free Report) EVP Ann Chaplin sold 1,827 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, October 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $174.75, for a total transaction of $319,268.25. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 25,770 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,503,307.50. This trade represents a 6.62% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan.

Qualcomm Stock Performance Shares of NASDAQ QCOM opened at $172.11 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.28, a current ratio of 2.02 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $175.02 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $179.70. Qualcomm Incorporated has a 52-week low of $121.99 and a 52-week high of $259.92. The stock has a market capitalization of $183.79 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.92, a P/E/G ratio of 3.88 and a beta of 1.65.

Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM – Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The wireless technology company reported $2.21 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.23 by ($0.02). The company had revenue of $9.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.69 billion. Qualcomm had a net margin of 21.01% and a return on equity of 38.36%. The business’s revenue was down 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $2.77 earnings per share. Qualcomm has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 2.050-2.250 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Qualcomm Incorporated will post 7.74 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. DZ Bank upgraded Qualcomm from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $265.00 price objective for the company in a research note on Friday, June 26th. Mizuho raised their target price on Qualcomm from $170.00 to $210.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, June 29th. Barclays reiterated an “underweight” rating on shares of Qualcomm in a research note on Wednesday, September 9th. Dbs Bank raised shares of Qualcomm to a “moderate buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 7th. Finally, Bank of America upped their price target on shares of Qualcomm from $165.00 to $195.00 and gave the stock an “underperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 23rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have given a Buy rating, twenty-one have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Qualcomm presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $204.10. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on QCOM

Key Qualcomm News Here are the key news stories impacting Qualcomm this week:

Positive Sentiment: Qualcomm appears to have prevailed in its licensing dispute with Arm. A Delaware jury found that Arm breached its license agreement with Qualcomm, supporting Qualcomm’s position in a dispute that could have affected the company’s ability to use Arm-based designs. The verdict is a potential legal and strategic win, although further proceedings may still be required. Jury finds Arm breached license agreement with Qualcomm Positive Sentiment: A renewed Apple licensing agreement improves revenue visibility. Qualcomm’s continued licensing relationship with Apple helps support its high-margin patent-licensing business, even as Apple works to develop more of its own modem technology. Qualcomm renews Apple license Positive Sentiment: Qualcomm expanded its 5G licensing coverage with Transsion through 2031. The extended agreement provides longer-term royalty visibility in emerging smartphone markets. Qualcomm, Transsion Extend 5G Patent License Deal Positive Sentiment: The company launched an AI-native Wi-Fi 8 gateway. The product combines next-generation connectivity with edge AI computing, supporting Qualcomm’s strategy to diversify beyond smartphones into home broadband and AI-enabled devices. Qualcomm unveils AI-native Wi-Fi 8 gateway Neutral Sentiment: Analysts continue to view Qualcomm as a cash-generative wireless technology company with growth opportunities in automotive, AI and other markets, but investors remain focused on the pace of its transition away from handset dependence. Qualcomm: Navigating the shift from handsets to AI Negative Sentiment: Sector-wide chip selling is pressuring QCOM. Qualcomm’s legal win has not prevented broader weakness across semiconductor stocks, with investors reducing exposure to chipmakers. Chip selloff following Qualcomm verdict Negative Sentiment: Reports that Samsung could replace Qualcomm’s chip in the Galaxy S27 Ultra if thermal issues persist raise concerns about flagship handset share and Qualcomm’s near-term mobile revenue. Samsung may swap Galaxy S27 Ultra chip Negative Sentiment: MediaTek’s reported progress toward an AI data-center chip pact with ByteDance highlights increasing competition in Qualcomm’s effort to build an AI and data-center business. ByteDance and MediaTek AI chip pact Hedge Funds Weigh In On Qualcomm Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Your Advocates Ltd. LLP bought a new position in Qualcomm in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of Qualcomm by 17,000.0% during the fourth quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 171 shares of the wireless technology company’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 170 shares during the last quarter. ABS Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Qualcomm in the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. ABS Direct Equity Fund LLC bought a new stake in shares of Qualcomm in the second quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Finally, Burk Holdings LLC grew its stake in shares of Qualcomm by 191.7% in the second quarter. Burk Holdings LLC now owns 210 shares of the wireless technology company’s stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 138 shares during the last quarter. 74.35% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Qualcomm Company Profile (Get Free Report)

Qualcomm Incorporated is a technology company that develops and commercializes wireless communications and semiconductor technologies. Through Qualcomm Technologies, Inc, the company designs integrated circuits, system software and related platforms used in smartphones, personal computers, automobiles, industrial equipment, consumer devices and other connected products. Its Snapdragon platforms support mobile computing, connectivity, artificial intelligence and multimedia applications, while its broader portfolio includes radio-frequency systems, networking and edge-computing technologies.

Qualcomm also operates a significant technology-licensing business through its Qualcomm Technology Licensing segment.

Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Qualcomm These 3 Green Stocks Have a Growth Story That Goes Far Beyond Washington Meta Claims Frontier-Class AI Status With New Muse Wonder Models Berkshire Just Backed This Little-Known Stock—Should You Chase It? Broadcom’s CEO Sees Years of AI Demand But Warns of a Bigger Threat to the Boom

Receive News & Ratings for Qualcomm Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Qualcomm and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.

A Delaware jury verdict is adding to the pressure on Arm Holdings (NASDAQ:ARM | ARM Price Prediction) as a broad selloff in chip stocks extends its run. Arm stock is down 5% during afternoon trading, landing at $232.22. Similarly, shares…

A Delaware jury verdict is adding to the pressure on Arm Holdings (NASDAQ:ARM | ARM Price Prediction) as a broad selloff in chip stocks extends its run. Arm stock is down 5% during afternoon trading, landing at $232.22. Similarly, shares of Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD) are down 5% to $534.29, a move in line with Arm stock.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM) shares are down 2% to $412.45, a softer slide than Arm stock. Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) is the other party to the case and holds a chip architecture license from Arm. TSM’s Snapdragon processors power a wide range of devices, and Qualcomm also runs a patent licensing business of its own.

Semiconductor names as a group are lower, as well. The iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXX) is down 3%, a smaller drop than Arm stock or AMD shares. Large-cap tech is softer too, with the Invesco QQQ Trust (NASDAQ:QQQ) down 2%.

Delaware Jury Sides With Qualcomm on Key Claims A federal jury in Delaware found on Tuesday that Arm breached its chip architecture license agreement with Qualcomm. Jurors also found that Arm interfered with Qualcomm’s relationship with a customer and violated California’s unfair competition law. Arm did prevail on a separate technology licensing claim, giving the company one win in an otherwise negative outcome.

The legal fight between Arm and Qualcomm continues. Closing arguments in a related bench trial over Arm’s licensing of its latest architecture are scheduled for next week. In a bench trial, a judge decides the outcome, so Arm faces a second ruling on how it licenses its newest designs.

Weakness in Arm stock extends a broad selloff across the semiconductor sector. As a result, the verdict is landing on a group already under strain.

Why a Licensing Verdict Cuts Deep for Arm Arm’s business is pure intellectual property: it licenses chip architecture and core designs, then earns royalties as partners ship products built on them. Such a structure makes every license agreement central. Because each deal is central to how Arm earns money, a verdict finding a breach goes straight to the heart of that model.

AMD designs processors and Taiwan Semiconductor manufactures chips for other companies, so both earn revenue tied to physical hardware. For Arm, the terms of each agreement shape the upfront license fees and the per-chip royalties that follow. Qualcomm sits among those licensees, so the verdict impacts the same royalty stream that powers Arm’s growth story.

The bull case for Arm rests on royalty income that grows as more chips use its designs. Yet, critics argue that the verdict strains Arm’s relationships with the licensees that pay those royalties. Those licensees range from semiconductor companies to OEMs and cloud service providers, with OEMs being original equipment manufacturers that build devices.

Taiwan Semiconductor Holds Up Better Taiwan Semiconductor shares are holding up better than the iShares Semiconductor ETF, while Arm stock and AMD shares, by contrast, are slipping faster than the fund.

Losses in the Invesco QQQ Trust are smaller. They are smaller than in the iShares Semiconductor ETF, leaving chip manufacturers and designers at the weaker end of large-cap tech. AMD shares rank among the larger holdings in the Invesco QQQ Trust, so the chip slipping reaches beyond dedicated semiconductor funds.

Arm’s Second Qualcomm Ruling Comes Next Arm’s upcoming challenge is whether the bench trial over its latest architecture licensing goes its way after closing arguments next week. That ruling carries direct implications for the bear argument around Arm’s licensee relationships and for the royalty growth behind the bull case.

Until that ruling lands, investors in Arm, AMD, and Taiwan Semiconductor may want to stay lightly invested. After all, a second adverse outcome could deepen the pressure on a chip group that’s already under strain.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Lumenci today announced that Derek Aberle has joined its Advisory Board. Aberle spent nearly two decades at Qualcomm serving as President from 2014 through 2018. He led the company's technology and intellectual property licensing business, growing it into one of the largest licensing operations globally. He is currently Co-founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Virewirx, Inc., a board director at InterDigital, and a Venture Partner with Stormbreaker Ventures. His.

Qualcomm (QCOM - Free Report) is one of the stocks most watched by Zacks.com visitors lately. So, it might be a good idea to review some of the factors that might affect the near-term performance of the stock.

Shares of this chipmaker have returned -3.2% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +2.1% change. The Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry, to which Qualcomm belongs, has lost 3.2% over this period. Now the key question is: Where could the stock be headed in the near term?

Although media reports or rumors about a significant change in a company's business prospects usually cause its stock to trend and lead to an immediate price change, there are always certain fundamental factors that ultimately drive the buy-and-hold decision.

Earnings Estimate RevisionsRather than focusing on anything else, we at Zacks prioritize evaluating the change in a company's earnings projection. This is because we believe the fair value for its stock is determined by the present value of its future stream of earnings.

Our analysis is essentially based on how sell-side analysts covering the stock are revising their earnings estimates to take the latest business trends into account. When earnings estimates for a company go up, the fair value for its stock goes up as well. And when a stock's fair value is higher than its current market price, investors tend to buy the stock, resulting in its price moving upward. Because of this, empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and short-term stock price movements.

For the current quarter, Qualcomm is expected to post earnings of $2.19 per share, indicating a change of -27% from the year-ago quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

The consensus earnings estimate of $10.55 for the current fiscal year indicates a year-over-year change of -12.3%. This estimate has remained unchanged over the last 30 days.

For the next fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate of $10.02 indicates a change of -5% from what Qualcomm is expected to report a year ago. Over the past month, the estimate has remained unchanged.

Having a strong externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, offers a more conclusive picture of a stock's price direction in the near term, since it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. Due to the size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, Qualcomm is rated Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

The chart below shows the evolution of the company's forward 12-month consensus EPS estimate:

12 Month EPS

Revenue Growth ForecastEven though a company's earnings growth is arguably the best indicator of its financial health, nothing much happens if it cannot raise its revenues. It's almost impossible for a company to grow its earnings without growing its revenue for long periods. Therefore, knowing a company's potential revenue growth is crucial.

In the case of Qualcomm, the consensus sales estimate of $10.16 billion for the current quarter points to a year-over-year change of -9.8%. The $42.89 billion and $44.34 billion estimates for the current and next fiscal years indicate changes of -2.8% and +3.4%, respectively.

Last Reported Results and Surprise HistoryQualcomm reported revenues of $9.95 billion in the last reported quarter, representing a year-over-year change of -4%. EPS of $2.21 for the same period compares with $2.77 a year ago.

Compared to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $9.71 billion, the reported revenues represent a surprise of +2.43%. The EPS surprise was -0.45%.

Over the last four quarters, Qualcomm surpassed consensus EPS estimates three times. The company topped consensus revenue estimates two times over this period.

ValuationWithout considering a stock's valuation, no investment decision can be efficient. In predicting a stock's future price performance, it's crucial to determine whether its current price correctly reflects the intrinsic value of the underlying business and the company's growth prospects.

Comparing the current value of a company's valuation multiples, such as its price-to-earnings (P/E), price-to-sales (P/S), and price-to-cash flow (P/CF), to its own historical values helps ascertain whether its stock is fairly valued, overvalued, or undervalued, whereas comparing the company relative to its peers on these parameters gives a good sense of how reasonable its stock price is.

As part of the Zacks Style Scores system, the Zacks Value Style Score (which evaluates both traditional and unconventional valuation metrics) organizes stocks into five groups ranging from A to F (A is better than B; B is better than C; and so on), making it helpful in identifying whether a stock is overvalued, rightly valued, or temporarily undervalued.

Qualcomm is graded D on this front, indicating that it is trading at a premium to its peers. Click here to see the values of some of the valuation metrics that have driven this grade.

Bottom LineThe facts discussed here and much other information on Zacks.com might help determine whether or not it's worthwhile paying attention to the market buzz about Qualcomm. However, its Zacks Rank #4 does suggest that it may underperform the broader market in the near term.

Key Takeaways Qualcomm is developing 6G technologies, including next-generation antennas and AI-based network solutions.Its Giga-MIMO boosts network capacity and spectrum efficiency, while 6G prototypes integrate sensing.QCOM partners with T-Mobile, Nokia, Samsung, Google and Ericsson to advance 6G research and commercialization. Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM - Free Report) is strengthening its position in the telecommunications industry as technology companies prepare for the transition to sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks. The company is leveraging its technical expertise in modem design, wireless connectivity and artificial intelligence (AI) to develop advanced communication technologies.

Qualcomm is advancing its 6G research through next-generation antenna systems and AI-based network solutions. Its Giga-MIMO technology is designed to improve network capacity and spectrum efficiency. The company has demonstrated 6G prototypes that combine advanced radio systems with integrated sensing and communication, enabling networks to detect and track objects while transmitting data. In addition, its Dragonwing RAN Automation Suite uses AI-driven automation to help telecom operators improve network performance and operational efficiency.

The company is collaborating with telecom operators such as T-Mobile to develop and test emerging 6G technologies. It is also participating in a broader industry coalition involving companies such as Nokia, Samsung, Google and Ericsson to advance wireless research and prepare for future commercialization.

Qualcomm’s investments in wireless research and industry partnerships could create opportunities across connected devices and network infrastructure. Its wireless technology expertise could benefit from growing demand for faster and more efficient connectivity.

How Are Competitors Advancing in 6G Technology?Qualcomm faces competition from Nokia Corporation (NOK - Free Report) and Broadcom, Inc. (AVGO - Free Report) . Nokia is advancing its 6G development through AI-powered network technologies and industry partnerships. The company is working with NVIDIA to develop AI-based radio access networks that could support future 6G services. Nokia is investing in network automation and advanced wireless systems to improve performance and prepare for next-generation connectivity.

Broadcom is expanding its role in next-generation wireless infrastructure through its radio-frequency and semiconductor technologies. Its radio chip technology supports advanced 5G and future 6G networks by improving power efficiency and signal processing. Broadcom's work in custom silicon and high-speed connectivity could also support the growing demands of future wireless networks.

QCOM’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesQualcomm shares have gained 8.5% over the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 28.8%.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Going by the price/earnings ratio, the company's shares currently trade at 17.37 forward earnings, higher than 13.3 for the industry.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Earnings estimates for fiscal 2026 have declined 0.2% to $10.55 over the past 60 days, while those for fiscal 2027 have also decreased 0.9% to $10.02.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD -2.03%) and Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM -0.29%) are racing to power the next generation of artificial intelligence. Which of these chip giants offers the best combination of growth and value for your portfolio?

Advanced Micro Devices focuses on high-performance computing for data centers and personal computers. Qualcomm leads the world in wireless connectivity and mobile processors. While they operate in different primary markets, both companies are now competing for a share of the expanding AI infrastructure and edge computing sectors, making them frequent choices for investors.

Advanced Micro Devices designs processors and graphics technologies for the data center, gaming, and personal computer markets. In its latest annual report, filed for the fiscal year ended December 2025, the company highlighted a strategic partnership with OpenAI. It also maintains a key supply agreement for semi-custom products with Sony Group Corp. (SONY +0.71%) and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT +2.38%), though such customer concentration adds risk.

In FY 2025, revenue reached about $34.6 billion, representing a growth rate of roughly 34% compared to the previous year. This substantial increase was accompanied by net income of approximately $4.3 billion, yielding a net margin of around 12.5%. This profitability is a significant improvement from the prior fiscal year, when the net margin was roughly 6.4%.

As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio, which measures total debt against shareholder equity, was approximately 0.1x. Its current ratio, measuring the ability to pay short-term debts with short-term assets, was roughly 2.9x. Free cash flow was close to $6.7 billion, though stock-based compensation represented roughly 21.2% of operating cash flow, which inflates reported cash generation since this non-cash expense is added back.

The case for QualcommQualcomm develops wireless technologies and mobile processors, identifying Apple Inc. (AAPL -1.11%), Samsung, and Xiaomi Corp. as significant customers in its latest annual report. It is expanding through a partnership with Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN +3.29%) to provide custom chips for data centers. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to diversify into the automotive and Industrial Internet of Things sectors.

In FY 2025, revenue reached approximately $44.3 billion, an increase of close to 14% over the previous year. The company reported a net income of roughly $5.5 billion, resulting in a net margin of about 12.5%. This profitability is lower than the 26% net margin seen in fiscal 2024 as the company competes among semiconductor stocks for market share.

As of its September 2025 balance sheet, Qualcomm reported a debt-to-equity ratio of roughly 0.8x, meaning total debt is about 80% of shareholder equity. The current ratio, which measures the ability to cover upcoming financial obligations, was approximately 2.8x. Free cash flow for the fiscal year was nearly $12.8 billion, providing ample capital for research and development.

Risk profile comparisonAdvanced Micro Devices faces intense competition from established rivals such as Nvidia Corp. (NVDA -0.52%) and Intel Corp. (INTC -2.22%). The company is also vulnerable to internal chip-design initiatives from its own customers who may choose to build custom silicon. Supply chain dependency on a limited number of third-party foundries like GlobalFoundries Inc.(GFS -2.27%) also creates a potential bottleneck if manufacturing capacity becomes constrained.

Qualcomm deals with high revenue concentration in the handset market, making it sensitive to shifts in consumer demand for premium smartphones. It faces a specific threat from Apple, which is working to develop its own internal modem products to replace third-party chips. Geopolitical tensions and export restrictions have already impacted sales, while its fabless production model leaves it exposed to supply chain disruptions at outside foundries.

Valuation comparisonQualcomm is cheaper as its Forward P/E, using future earnings estimates, and P/S ratio, using sales over the past twelve months, are lower than those of its peers.

MetricAdvanced Micro DevicesQUALCOMMForward P/E84.5x17.5xP/S ratio25.5x4.2xValuation metrics include those sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from those of other data providers.

Which stock would I buy in 2026?Qualcomm's mobile phone business has been hammered this year, as weak Chinese demand and a scarcity of memory due to AI have caused handset-derived sales to fall below prior year levels. Yet the AI boom has an upside for Qualcomm.

At the company's June 2026 investor day, Qualcomm raised its non-handset revenue target to more than $40 billion by 2029, nearly double the prior target of $22 billion. Qualcomm is said to be partnering with OpenAI to create smartphone processors with advanced AI capabilities. Analysts see this partnership as a positive for Qualcomm since it would enable advanced agentic AI on smartphone platforms. It would also diminish the business risk of Apple developing its own chips and dropping Qualcomm as a supplier.

AMD, meanwhile, is riding the wave of a late 2025 deal to supply OpenAI with its own chips, potentially worth billions of dollars. Management believes the shift from large language models and generative AI to agentic AI and robotic AI will create even more demand for AMD's style of chips.

The company now expects demand for AI-related chips to rise more than 30% annually, up sharply from an estimate executives had provided at the start of 2026. On top of the AI strength, the business has notched impressive wins in healthcare and financial services in recent months.

All of that has analysts expecting AMD to ring up sales of $49.6 billion, a jump of more than 40% year over year, with net income of $8.7 billion.

Qualcomm is in value stock territory, especially for a tech stock, but the risks to its core handset market and the speculativeness of it being a supplier for a yet-to-be-developed ChatGPT smartphone make red-hot AMD the better buy, even with its high multiples.

Qualcomm (QCOM -2.21%) is trying to turn its power-efficient computing expertise into a real data-center AI business. It's hypercaler customers give the strategy an important proof point, but the bigger upside depends on repeat wins, later chip generations, and attractive margins.

Stock prices used were the market prices of Sept. 18, 2026. The video was published on Oct. 4, 2026.

Rick Orford has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Qualcomm. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Rick Orford is an affiliate of The Motley Fool and may be compensated for promoting its services. If you choose to subscribe through their link, they will earn some extra money that supports their channel. Their opinions remain their own and are unaffected by The Motley Fool.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--OKSI and Qualcomm Government Technologies, Inc. (QGOV), a division of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., today announced a collaboration to deploy OKSI's OMNISCIENCETM autonomy software portfolio on Qualcomm technologies. OMNISCIENCE delivers AI/ML-enabled capabilities through computer vision — including visual navigation, object detection and recognition, mission execution and more — purpose-built to bring autonomy to unmanned platforms operating in complex, communicati.

Qualcomm (QCOM +0.13%) spent most of this summer and fall proving it's not just a smartphone chip company anymore, and the stock, around $180 at this writing, is still catching up to that story. The stock has been somewhat lackluster throughout much of this summer, trading sideways after hitting above $250 in May and early summer.

A $1,000 investment today buys a little more than five shares. This fall, Qualcomm locked in a massive new data center customer, landed a second one most investors didn't see coming, launched its next flagship phone chip around AI running on the device itself, and renewed one of its oldest licensing relationships. I think its recent stretch justifies a bullish, multiyear view of Qualcomm.

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

81/100

Today's Change

(

0.13

%) $

0.24

Current Price

$

181.03

Qualcomm just signed two real data center customers In early September, Qualcomm and Amazon (AMZN +1.95%) announced a multiyear deal under which Amazon Web Services could purchase up to $60 billion in Qualcomm server chips, hardware, and high-speed optical networking gear over the next decade, with Qualcomm issuing Amazon warrants tied to the amount it actually buys. The stock jumped as much as 10% on the news.

Image source: Getty Images.

Also this year, reports surfaced that Qualcomm had struck a separate deal to supply ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, with millions of custom AI application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) to run its AI agent software, according to Bloomberg. Two major cloud and internet companies committing real dollars to Qualcomm's chips is a different story from a single pilot program; it suggests buyers outside Qualcomm's usual phone customers are starting to take its data center ambitions seriously.

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

90/100

Today's Change

(

1.95

%) $

4.89

Current Price

$

256.29

Its Edge AI is showing up in cars and now in phones again Qualcomm's automotive chip business, which supplies the computing brains behind car infotainment and driver-assist systems, posted record quarterly revenue of $1.59 billion last quarter, up 61% year over year, extending a streak of 23 straight quarters of double-digit growth. Management has pointed to a longer-term goal of $40 billion in combined automotive, industrial, and data center revenue by fiscal 2029.

At its Snapdragon Summit in Hawaii in late September, Qualcomm unveiled its new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and Gen 6 Pro chips, built around what it calls the "agentic age." To keep it simple, this involves phones using edge AI to run AI agents locally rather than just querying a chatbot in the cloud.

What this could mean for a $1,000 investment Qualcomm also removed a long-running overhang this fall by renewing its global patent-licensing agreement with Apple through at least April 2027, protecting a high-margin royalty business that had been clouded by Apple's push to build its own modem chips. Basically, even though Apple is moving away from Qualcomm's modem chips, it still needs Qualcomm's wireless technology patents, so this deal keeps that licensing relationship in place starting in 2027.

Turning $1,000 into $2,200 requires the stock to gain about 127%, which, at today's roughly $180 share price, works out to a target of around $410 per share. Qualcomm itself has given investors a specific yardstick to measure that against: at its June 2026 investor day, management targeted more than $18 in non-GAAP earnings per share for fiscal 2029, alongside that $40 billion non-handset revenue goal, including more than $15 billion from data center AI infrastructure alone. Divide a $410 share price by $18 in earnings, and you get a forward price-to-earnings ratio of about 22.8, meaning investors would be paying roughly $22.80 for every dollar of Qualcomm's projected future earnings.

That's higher than Qualcomm's current forward P/E of around 18.1, but it isn't a dramatic leap into richly valued AI-stock territory; it's closer to what a successfully diversified semiconductor company with real data center and automotive revenue typically commands. Framed as an annual growth rate, turning $1,000 into $2,200 over the roughly three years between now and fiscal 2029 works out to a stock price compounding at close to 30% a year, which is aggressive, but possible given what Qualcomm has going on.

Put all this together: two new data center customers, a record automotive business, a flagship chip pitched around on-device AI, and a secured licensing deal, and the case for Qualcomm rerating away from its smartphone-stock discount gets stronger. If that diversification continues at anywhere near this pace, combined with Qualcomm's roughly 2% dividend yield and its $20 billion buyback shrinking the share count, I'd expect a $1,000 investment made today to plausibly be worth somewhere between $2,200 and $2,800 by 2030, with more upside if Amazon and ByteDance scale into recurring, multiyear revenue.

None of this is guaranteed. But a company landing this many concrete wins deserves more credit than the market is currently giving it.

As the digital landscape evolves, the hardware powering our devices and data centers becomes increasingly critical. You may be deciding whether to buy Qualcomm (QCOM +0.24%) or SK Hynix (SKHY -4.00%) to capture this growth.

Qualcomm leads the world in wireless connectivity and mobile processing, while SK Hynix specializes in the advanced memory components required for high-speed computing. Comparing these two industry leaders helps determine which provides the better balance of growth and stability for your portfolio.

The case for QualcommQualcomm generates revenue through its mobile chipsets and its extensive patent licensing business. The company sells to the world's largest manufacturers, including Apple (AAPL -0.09%), Samsung, and Xiaomi (XIACF -0.65%). Customer concentration like this adds a layer of risk to the business, as a shift from one of these giants could significantly impact results. Beyond mobile, it has expanded into automotive and data center networking, recently partnering with Amazon (AMZN +1.67%) to provide specialized AI chips.

Premium Feature

Moneyball Superscore

81/100

Today's Change

(

0.24

%) $

0.44

Current Price

$

181.23

In FY 2025, revenue reached nearly $44.3 billion, representing growth of approximately 13.7% over the prior year. The company reported a net income of roughly $5.5 billion for the period. This resulted in a net margin, which measures the percentage of revenue remaining as profit after all expenses, of approximately 12.5%. The company's processors now emphasize on-device artificial intelligence capabilities to differentiate from multinational competitors.

The company maintains a solid balance sheet with a debt-to-equity ratio of nearly 0.8x. This ratio shows the company uses about 80 cents of debt for every dollar of equity owned by shareholders. As of its September 2025 balance sheet, the current ratio was close to 2.8x, indicating it has ample liquid assets to cover short-term liabilities. Free cash flow, the cash left over after paying for operations and equipment, was approximately $12.8 billion.

The case for SK HynixSK Hynix is a global leader in the semiconductor stocks space, specifically within the memory market. It provides high-bandwidth memory chips that are vital for the processors used in artificial intelligence. The company focuses on scaling its manufacturing capacity to meet the soaring demand for data-center solutions. While specific major customer names are not available in its recent filings, its products are integral to the supply chains of major cloud providers.

Today's Change

(

-4.00

%) $

-7.80

Current Price

$

187.23

In FY 2025, revenue reached approximately $72.3 billion, an impressive 46.8% increase over the previous year. This surge led to a net income of nearly $32.0 billion. The net margin for the year reached approximately 44.2%, reflecting the high demand and favorable pricing for its advanced memory products during the AI expansion. The company continues to invest in next-generation fabrication facilities to maintain its technological edge in high-density memory.

As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the company reported a debt-to-equity ratio of roughly 0.2x. This indicates a conservative capital structure with low debt relative to shareholders' equity. The current ratio stands at approximately 1.9x, showing the company possesses nearly twice as many current assets as current liabilities. Free cash flow was strong at close to $18.5 billion for the fiscal year.

Risk profile comparisonQualcomm faces risks from its heavy reliance on a few large customers, such as Apple, that are developing their own chips. The company also has significant exposure to China, making it vulnerable to trade tensions and export restrictions. Its licensing business remains subject to legal disputes over royalty payments and patent practices that could impact future revenue.

SK Hynix operates in the cyclical memory industry, where earnings depend heavily on global supply and demand. It must out-innovate rivals such as Samsung and Micron to maintain its share in the advanced memory market while managing massive capital expenditures. Because memory products are often treated as commodities, any oversupply in the market can lead to sharp drops in profit.

Valuation comparisonSK Hynix is cheaper based on its Forward P/E (future earnings estimates), while Qualcomm leads on its P/S ratio (sales over the past twelve months).

MetricQualcommSK HynixForward P/E18.2x7.7xP/S ratio4.4x9.8xValuation metrics include those sourced from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from those of other data providers.

To compare SK Hynix and Qualcomm, investors should consider a few key factors. Let's have a look at them and see what that tells us about each stock.

First off, there's growth. Here, SK Hynix clearly wins the head-to-head comparison. The company's year-over-year growth reached nearly 233% in its most recent quarter, with trailing 12-month revenue skyrocketing to $129 billion. Qualcomm's revenue, by comparison, is shrinking, albeit modestly. Trailing 12-month revenue declined by about 4% to $44.1 billion.

Another factor to consider is profitability. Here, again, SK Hynix enjoys an edge over Qualcomm. SK Hynix's operating margin stands at around 68%, while Qualcomm's is 24%.

One final factor to weigh is valuation. On backward-looking metrics, like P/S, Qualcomm appears more affordable, with a P/S ratio of 4.4x versus SK Hynix's 9.8x. Yet, on forward-looking metrics like Forward P/E, SK Hynix looks more affordable, due to its high growth rate.

To sum up, SK Hynix and Qualcomm are both tech stocks worth considering. However, they will likely appeal to different types of investors. Those investors with a pure focus on growth, or those with a bullish outlook on AI and high-bandwidth memory, may elect SK Hynix. Qualcomm, on the other hand, will appeal to tech-focused investors who hold a more skeptical view of AI, place greater emphasis on valuation, or favor defensive tech stocks.

Shenzhen, China--(Newsfile Corp. - October 5, 2026) - Huawei and Qualcomm today announced a multi-year, broad patent license agreement that includes cross licenses to the companies' patent portfolios across a range of technology fields, including 5G, compute, AI, and networking, together with Qualcomm's purchase of certain Huawei U.S. patents in the areas of compute, AI, networking, and other technologies. This transaction will close following receipt of the necessary regulatory approvals. The agreement reflects the companies' shared commitment to intellectual property rights and to licensing practices consistent with fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory (FRAND) principles.

"Huawei's decades of sustained investment in fundamental R&D have driven innovation and progress in mobile communications and other technology fields. Huawei's broad contributions to the 4G/5G standards, such as the near-physical-limit signal transmission technology using polar codes, have established Huawei's leadership in the mobile communications industry, and continuously transformed the way people communicate and live," said Alan Fan, Huawei's Chief Intellectual Property Officer. "This agreement not only demonstrates the value of Huawei's innovations, but also recognizes Qualcomm's foundational contributions to modern communication technologies."

"Qualcomm has invested in foundational wireless technologies that have enabled successive generations of mobile innovation and earned broad recognition across the global wireless industry. This agreement reaffirms industry recognition of Qualcomm's 5G technology leadership and the success of Qualcomm's 5G SEP licensing program," said John Han, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Qualcomm Technology Licensing. "This agreement likewise reflects Qualcomm's recognition of Huawei's continued innovation and intellectual property in 5G and other technology fields."

Hashtag: #Huawei

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Qualcomm

Qualcomm is a global computing leader at the center of the AI era, enabling intelligence to scale from the most personal devices to large-scale infrastructure. Building on more than four decades of innovation, we develop platforms and solutions that bring together advanced AI, high-performance low power computing, and industry-leading connectivity--powering products and services used around the world. At Qualcomm, we are engineering human progress.

Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of our engineering and research and development functions and substantially all of our products and services businesses, including our QCT semiconductor business. Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm patents are licensed by Qualcomm Incorporated. Qualcomm, Snapdragon, Qualcomm Dragonwing and Qualcomm Dragonfly are trademarks or registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/317379

Source: Media OutReach

U.S. electric vehicle sales are sliding, yet Qualcomm's automotive revenue keeps climbing at a pace that defies the headline numbers. The reason has less to do with EVs than with something most investors overlook entirely.

This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.

U.S. battery-electric sales fell 29.2% through September, while conventional hybrid sales rose 22.4%. Qualcomm’s automotive revenue grew 61.4% year over year and 19.8% sequentially in its latest reported quarter. Snapdragon’s opportunity spans vehicle computing and connectivity, but Qualcomm’s worldwide results cannot be directly compared with U.S.-only vehicle sales. Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM | QCOM Price Prediction) offers investors a way to examine automotive growth beyond the number of electric vehicles sold. Its automotive revenue reached $1.588 billion in its latest reported quarter, even as the U.S. battery-electric market remained under pressure. The apparent contradiction reflects two distinctions that matter to shareholders: Qualcomm sells automotive chips worldwide, and its opportunity extends beyond the electric powertrain into the computing and connectivity used throughout a vehicle.

The investment question is whether Qualcomm can increase the value of the functions it supplies per vehicle as automakers adopt more sophisticated digital cockpits and driver-assistance systems. Those functions can be sold into gasoline vehicles, conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric vehicles. A weaker U.S. EV market creates a headwind, but it does not define the entire market for Snapdragon automotive products.

U.S. Buyers Are Choosing Different Forms of Electrification The U.S. sales mix strengthens the case for distinguishing automotive computing from a pure EV investment. The National Automobile Dealers Association’s October 5 update reported that battery-electric sales fell 29.2% year over year through September 2026, while conventional hybrid sales rose 22.4%. BEVs represented 6.2% of new light-duty vehicle sales, compared with 15.6% for conventional hybrids. These are January–September results, rather than September-only figures.

According to Table 1, the August data show the same division between conventional hybrids and vehicles requiring external charging. Conventional hybrids sold at more than twice the combined volume of BEVs and plug-in hybrids. The hybrid growth story therefore requires a distinction: conventional hybrids are gaining, while plug-in hybrids are also experiencing substantial pressure.

Table 1. U.S. Electrified Vehicle Sales (Million Units, Except Ratios) Vehicle category or metric September 2025 January 2026 August 2026 Battery-electric vehicles 0.146 0.063 0.080 Plug-in hybrids 0.030 0.012 0.020 Conventional hybrids 0.156 0.151 0.216 Combined BEV + PHEV sales 0.175 0.075 0.100 Conventional hybrids / combined plug-ins 0.89× 2.00× 2.16× Calculations and analysis: The Information Network Note: Volumes are rounded to three decimals in millions. Combined volumes and ratios use unrounded inputs. September 2025 included purchases ahead of the federal tax-credit expiration; the three observations are not a seasonally adjusted series.

For Qualcomm, the opportunity is to supply functions buyers want regardless of the powertrain selected. A conventional hybrid does not need an external charger, but it can still use a digital cockpit, connected services, and advanced driver assistance. That makes automotive computing a different investment proposition from charging infrastructure or components tied specifically to large battery packs.

Snapdragon Competes for More Value Within Each Vehicle Snapdragon Digital Chassis encompasses several platforms. Cockpit supports infotainment, displays, and user interaction. Connectivity links the vehicle to networks and cloud services. Ride addresses driver assistance and automated-driving workloads. Qualcomm can potentially expand its role when a customer adopts its products across several of these functions.

Ride Flex addresses the consolidation of cockpit and driving workloads on shared computing hardware while maintaining isolation and dedicated safety mechanisms. The commercial significance is the potential to capture a larger computing assignment in a vehicle. Consolidation can reduce the number of separate chips, so investors should evaluate the value of the functions Qualcomm supplies rather than assume every new vehicle contains more Qualcomm chips.

BMW provides evidence at two different stages of commercialization. Snapdragon Ride Pilot launched commercially in November 2025 in the BMW iX3, establishing a production deployment of Qualcomm’s driving-system technology. Separately, BMW’s July 2026 selection of Qualcomm as its lead compute silicon provider covers next-generation cockpit and automated-driving model programs starting in the 2030s. That later award supports long-term positioning but cannot explain revenue already reported. Neither disclosed deal value nor guaranteed vehicle volume establishes its eventual financial contribution.

Worldwide Revenue Changes the Interpretation According to Table 2, the geographic distribution of plug-in vehicle sales illustrates the scale of Qualcomm’s opportunity outside the United States. Greater China and Europe together represented 79.2% of global BEV and PHEV sales in August 2026, while the United States represented 5.5%. For investors, that distribution supports evaluating Snapdragon’s worldwide customer programs rather than using U.S. EV sales alone to assess its automotive growth potential.

Table 2. Regional Share of Global BEV and PHEV Sales Region or metric September 2025 January 2026 August 2026 Europe 20.5% 27.6% 21.4% Greater China 62.8% 50.1% 57.8% United States 8.2% 6.4% 5.5% Rest of world 8.5% 16.0% 15.2% Global BEV + PHEV sales, million units 2.149 1.179 1.806 Calculations and analysis: The Information Network Volumes are rounded to three decimals in millions; shares use unrounded inputs. Percentages measure shares of global plug-in sales, not penetration within each region. Conventional hybrids and fuel-cell vehicles are excluded. Vehicle coverage follows the underlying dataset’s passenger and commercial vehicle designation. Rounding can prevent shares from summing to 100%.

The table shows where demand is concentrated; these three monthly observations do not establish regional growth rates. September 2025 included purchases ahead of the U.S. federal tax-credit expiration, and January reflects a different seasonal period. Qualcomm’s ability to convert the international opportunity into revenue depends on customer adoption, computing content per vehicle, and competition. The regional shares also do not measure Qualcomm’s own revenue exposure, and its automotive products address gasoline vehicles and conventional hybrids in addition to plug-ins.

According to Table 3, automotive has become a larger contributor to Qualcomm’s semiconductor business. Revenue increased 61.4% year over year in fiscal Q3 2026 and 19.8% from the preceding quarter. Automotive accounted for 18.7% of QCT revenue, compared with 10.9% a year earlier. QCT is Qualcomm’s semiconductor business; its patent-licensing business is reported separately.

Table 3. Qualcomm’s Automotive Revenue and Semiconductor Mix ($ Millions, Except Percentages) Metric Fiscal Q3 2025 Fiscal Q2 2026 Fiscal Q3 2026 Automotive revenue 984 1,326 1,588 Total QCT revenue 8,993 9,076 8,504 Automotive share of QCT 10.9% 14.6% 18.7% Automotive revenue growth, year over year — 38.3% 61.4% Automotive revenue growth, quarter over quarter — — 19.8% Source: The Information Network compilation and calculations using Qualcomm’s reported results The geographic limitation is important. Table 1 covers nationwide U.S. sales, Table 2 covers worldwide plug-in sales, and Table 3 reports Qualcomm’s worldwide automotive revenue. These measures provide context for the investment case, but they cannot be treated as matching measures of U.S. EV chip demand.

Timing also differs. Semiconductor shipments to manufacturers occur before vehicles reach buyers, and inventory adjustments can separate chip orders from retail sales. Qualcomm’s revenue growth is consistent with expanding automotive adoption and content, but the reported totals do not isolate hybrids, individual products, or the effect of specific customer awards.

Investor Takeaway Qualcomm’s automotive expansion gives shareholders an additional growth opportunity as its smartphone business faces pressure. Apple’s development of its own modems threatens part of Qualcomm’s chip content in phones, while Snapdragon creates an opportunity to supply more computing functions in cars. Automotive growth does not automatically replace lost handset profits, and Qualcomm’s total fiscal Q3 revenue still fell approximately 4% despite its strong automotive performance.

My investment view is constructive because the automotive opportunity already has reported revenue and production deployments behind it. The next test is whether Qualcomm sustains that momentum as customer programs expand, while converting the changing revenue mix into stronger company-wide earnings. Investors should judge the shares against sustainable profits and the price paid, rather than treating an automotive design award as revenue already secured.

The U.S. EV slowdown makes that distinction more useful. Qualcomm’s opportunity depends on what it supplies inside the vehicle and where its customers produce and sell vehicles. Continued gains in computing content across multiple powertrains can support growth even when American BEV sales remain weak, although they do not eliminate exposure to an automotive downturn.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

RealPeopleGroup/E+ via Getty Images

Download this episode on Apple Podcasts/Spotify or listen below:

Retailers (AMZN) (TGT) (WMT) are racing to cash in on the holiday season before Halloween. (00:14) Huawei and Qualcomm (QCOM) strike a deal. (01:48) Redwire (RDW) lands another piece of Axiom's space station puzzle. (02:48)

This is an abridged transcript.

The calendar says October but major retailers, online and in-store, are making this week look more like Black Friday/Cyber Monday.

Amazon (AMZN) announced last month that its October Prime Big Deals event would run this week on the 6th and 7th. This prompted other retailers like Target (TGT) and Walmart (WMT) to announce their deal days.

Target Circle members get early access to some deals starting today with the sale event running the same days as Amazon.

Walmart’s Deals and More runs today through the 11th.

So, how much are shoppers expected to spend?

According to data compiled by Adobe Analytics , it expects $95.8B will be spent online in October, up 8% year-over-year, with $10B of that going directly to Amazon during the Prime Day event Tuesday and Wednesday.

Adobe notes that this has “changed the shape of the holiday season, pushing U.S. retailers to manage promotions and inventory effectively to capture an additional pre-season spike in shopping interest.”

While gifts are typically the most sought after for holiday discounts, consumers are also expected to take advantage of discounts on personal hygiene products, with sales expected to surge 150% compared to the same levels in September. Sales of clothing basics are expected to increase 210%, baby products up 113%, pet products up 93%, and household cleaning items up 49%.

China’s Huawei and Qualcomm (QCOM) have agreed to a multi-year, broad patent licensing deal covering 5G, computing, AI and networking technologies.

The agreement includes cross-licenses to their respective patent portfolios, while Qualcomm will also purchase certain Huawei U.S. patents covering computing, AI, networking and other technologies. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals.

Huawei said its intellectual-property licensing business has generated positive revenue since 2021, reflecting its sustained investment in R&D. The company held more than 165,000 active granted patents at the end of 2025.

The companies previously settled a patent dispute in 2020, when Huawei agreed to pay Qualcomm $1.8B in back licensing fees.

Qualcomm is up 2.7% on the news.

Redwire (RDW) has been awarded a contract by Axiom Space to develop and deliver two Roll-Out Solar Array (ROSA) wings for the second module of Axiom Station.

The company is also developing the ROSA wings for Axiom’s first space station module, which is undergoing final assembly at Thales Alenia Space in Turin, Italy. The module will then be transferred to Houston for integration and testing before launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with the launch planned for 2028.

The second module is preparing for final assembly at Thales Alenia Space and is expected to launch less than a year after the first module. Once in orbit, it can remain there until it is ready to dock with the first module.

Together, the two modules are expected to form a four-crew-capable, operational free-flying space station.

Catalyst watch:

Dillard's (DDS), Energy Transfer (ET), Sunoco (SUN), and Texas Capital Bancshares (TCBI) are some of the notable companies that will start trading on the Texas Stock Exchange as their primary listings.

The two-day Energy Intelligence Forum 2026 will begin. The event is designed to bring together energy executives, investors, policymakers, analysts, and civil-society leaders to debate how the energy system can remain secure and affordable while decarbonizing. Notable speakers include Aramco (ARMCO) CEO Amin Nasser, Eni (E) CEO Claudio Descalzi, BP (BP) CEO Meg O’Neill, and Total Energies (TTE) CEO Patrick Pouyanné.

Stock index futures are in the red.

Crude oil is down 0.7% at $90. Brent crude is down 0.2% at $102.

The FTSE 100 is up 0.3% and the DAX is down 0.1%. South Korea’s KOSPI markets closed. China's (SHCOMP) markets closed.

One stock on the biggest movers list: PTC (PTC) +34% - Shares jumped after Schneider Electric (SBGSF) agreed to acquire the engineering software developer for $22.6B in an all-cash deal at $205 per share.

Economic calendar:

9:45 am PMI Composite Final

10:00 am ISM Services Index

China's Huawei Technologies (HWT.UL) said on Monday it had agreed a broad multi-year ​patent licence deal with Qualcomm (QCOM.O) covering ‌artificial intelligence, 5G, computing and networking technologies.

Here are some details:

The agreement includes Qualcomm's purchase of ​certain Huawei US patents related to ​computing, AI and networking, Huawei said in ⁠a statement.

It is Huawei's first patent ​licensing deal with Qualcomm that covers 5G ​technologies.

Huawei said the deal is expected to push the total value of its patent licensing agreements ​to more than $6.9 billion once completed.

The ​company said its intellectual property licensing business has generated ‌positive ⁠revenue since 2021, reflecting years of heavy investment in research and development.

Huawei ramped up R&D spending in recent years, as ​US trade ​restrictions since ⁠2019 have limited its ability to buy advanced chips and ​crucial software.

Huawei made its first licensing ​payment ⁠to Qualcomm in 2001, while it received its first licensing income in 2011 ⁠from ​Motorola.

The Qualcomm agreement follows a ​licensing deal with HP Inc (HPQ.N) announced by Huawei in August.

Qualcomm (QCOM - Free Report) closed at $184.87 in the latest trading session, marking a +1.53% move from the prior day. The stock outperformed the S&P 500, which registered a daily gain of 0.73%. Meanwhile, the Dow experienced a rise of 0.49%, and the technology-dominated Nasdaq saw an increase of 1.19%.

Heading into today, shares of the chipmaker had gained 8.02% over the past month, outpacing the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 6.36% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.55%.

The upcoming earnings release of Qualcomm will be of great interest to investors. The company's earnings per share (EPS) are projected to be $2.19, reflecting a 27% decrease from the same quarter last year. At the same time, our most recent consensus estimate is projecting a revenue of $10.16 billion, reflecting a 9.83% fall from the equivalent quarter last year.

For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of $10.55 per share and revenue of $42.89 billion, which would represent changes of -12.3% and -2.82%, respectively, from the prior year.

Investors might also notice recent changes to analyst estimates for Qualcomm. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.

Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. To capitalize on this, we've crafted the Zacks Rank, a unique model that incorporates these estimate changes and offers a practical rating system.

The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has shifted 0.43% downward. Currently, Qualcomm is carrying a Zacks Rank of #4 (Sell).

Looking at valuation, Qualcomm is presently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 18.17. For comparison, its industry has an average Forward P/E of 39.71, which means Qualcomm is trading at a discount to the group.

Meanwhile, QCOM's PEG ratio is currently 2.93. Comparable to the widely accepted P/E ratio, the PEG ratio also accounts for the company's projected earnings growth. The average PEG ratio for the Electronics - Semiconductors industry stood at 1.35 at the close of the market yesterday.

The Electronics - Semiconductors industry is part of the Computer and Technology sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 70, putting it in the top 29% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

To follow QCOM in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com.

Apple just renewed a deal with a company whose chips it stopped buying, and that contradiction tells you everything about where Qualcomm's real power sits and why one investor keeps pressing the buy button.

This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.

I keep adding to my Qualcomm position, and last week’s Apple news sent me straight back to the buy button. The headline looks like paperwork. For me, it confirmed the whole reason I own this stock.

What the Apple Renewal Really Locks In On September 24, 2026, Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM | QCOM Price Prediction) announced the renewal of its global patent license agreement with Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), effective April 1, 2027. Neither side disclosed terms, but the timing tells the story.

Apple’s chip business with Qualcomm is winding down fast. In July, the CFO said Qualcomm’s share of the upcoming iPhone launch would be “materially lower than our prior estimate of 20%”, with Apple product revenue forecast to fall roughly 50% from the September to December quarter. Apple is building its own modems, yet it still pays to use Qualcomm’s patents. The licensing unit, QTL, brought in $1.28B last quarter at a 69% EBT margin. Apple can stop buying Qualcomm chips, but it keeps paying Qualcomm to use wireless technology. That is the core of my thesis.

Three Reasons My Buy Orders Keep Coming First, growth beyond phones has already shown up. Automotive revenue hit $1.59B, up 61%, its 23rd straight quarter of double-digit growth. BMW named Qualcomm its lead compute silicon partner. Management expects non-handset growth to speed up from 24% in fiscal 2026 to greater than 60% in fiscal 2027, which it says “will replace the entire Apple product revenue within the year.”

Second, the company pays me to wait. In fiscal 2025, Qualcomm generated $12.82B in free cash flow and returned $12.60B to shareholders. The quarterly dividend rose from $0.89 to $0.92, and a new $20B buyback authorization sits behind it.

Third, the valuation still works on cash. The P/E of 35 looks steep, but a $5.7B non-cash tax charge distorted GAAP earnings. On cash, shares trade at 15.34 times free cash flow, a 6.52% free cash flow yield, alongside a 1.94% dividend yield. Net debt is just 0.61 times EBITDA.

Why My Money Skips Broadcom Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO) is the obvious AI chip alternative, and its AI semiconductor revenue grew 221% last quarter. Investors already price that in. Its roughly $1.7 trillion market cap works out to about 43 times trailing four-quarter free cash flow by my math, against Qualcomm’s 15.34. Broadcom also lists dependence on a limited number of large AI customers and heavy debt among its risks. I prefer paying less for growth that is just starting.

Risk I Refuse to Ignore Handsets remain the biggest line, and they fell 20% to $5.09B. Memory costs are pressuring phone makers, China exposure carries trade risk, and non-GAAP EPS of $2.21 missed the $2.22 consensus, ending a six-quarter beat run. Management expects Android revenue down 20% this year.

That pain is real. It still has not broken my thesis. Qualcomm is passing through double-digit price increases, says China revenue bottomed in the June quarter, and forecasts a double-digit sequential rebound.

Catalysts Keeping My Buy Button Active Revenue from two hyperscaler custom silicon programs begins in the December quarter, data center revenue is targeted at $5 billion in fiscal 2027, and an Amazon data center collaboration followed in September. The stock slipped 7.15% over the past week to $184.10, and I treated that dip as a chance to add.

Apple is moving its chips in-house and still renewed the patent license, and I plan to remain a buyer while Qualcomm keeps collecting those royalties.

Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.

28.9.2026 19:54, DJI, SPX, QQQ

Americké akciové trhy během dnešního obchodování klesají pod tlakem rostoucích cen energií a vyšších výnosů dluhopisů, které obnovují obavy z inflace a dalšího zpřísňování měnové politiky. Hlavní index Dow Jones oslabuje o 0,4 % na 51 619,84 bodu, širší index S&P 500 ztrácí 0,55 % na 7 701,2 bodu a technologický Nasdaq Composite odepisuje 0,62 % na 26 900,94 bodu.

Mezi jednotlivými sektory se nejvíce daří defenzivním oborům, přičemž mírný růst vykazují sektory nezbytné spotřeby se ziskem 0,3 %, zdravotní péče s růstem o 0,2 % a energií, které rovněž přidávají 0,2 %. Na opačné straně spektra se nacházejí komunikační služby se ztrátou 1,4 %, zbytná spotřeba oslabující o 1,2 % a finanční sektor s poklesem o 0,9 %.

Mezi jednotlivými akciemi z indexu S&P 500 výrazně roste společnost Palo Alto Networks (PANW) o 4,6 %, následovaná řetězcem Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) se ziskem 4,3 % a firmou Crowdstrike Holdings (CRWD), která přidává 3,1 %. Daří se také akciím Everpure (P) s růstem o 2,9 % a Paramount Skydance Corp (PSKY) posilujícím o 2,6 %. Naopak výrazné ztráty zaznamenávají Bloom Energy Corp (BE) s propadem o 8,1 %, Carvana (CVNA) oslabující o 8,0 % a DoorDash (DASH) nižší o 6,6 %. Pod tlakem jsou i polovodičoví giganti QUALCOMM (QCOM) s poklesem o 6,1 % a Intel Corp (INTC), který odepisuje 5,9 %.

Vývoj na trzích ovlivňuje rostoucí napětí na Blízkém východě, které tlačí vzhůru ceny ropy. Severomořská ropa Brent se pohybuje kolem 106 dolarů za barel a americká lehká ropa WTI posiluje o 0,8 % na 93,15 dolaru za barel. Vyšší ceny energií zvedají výnos desetiletých amerických státních dluhopisů o devět bazických bodů na 5,25 %. Na devizovém trhu posiluje americký dolar, euro vůči němu klesá o 0,2 % na 1,1372 USD. Drahé kovy naopak ztrácejí, cena zlata klesá o 3,7 % na 4 127,67 dolaru za trojskou unci.

Index Dow Jones -0,4 % na 51619,84 b.
S&P 500 -0,55 % na 7701,2 b.
Nasdaq Composite -0,62 % na 26900,94 b.

Index S&P 500 -0,55 % na 7701,2 b. Nejsilnější sektory S&P Změna Nejslabší sektory S&P Změna Nezbytná spotřeba +0,3 % Komunikační služby -1,4 % Zdravotní péče +0,2 % Zbytná spotřeba -1,2 % Energie +0,2 % Finanční sektor -0,9 % Nejsilnější akcie S&P Změna Nejslabší akcie S&P Změna Palo Alto Networks (PANW) +4,6 % Bloom Energy Corp (BE) -8,1 % Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) +4,3 % Carvana (CVNA) -8,0 % Crowdstrike Holdings (CRWD) +3,1 % DoorDash (DASH) -6,6 % Everpure (P) +2,9 % QUALCOMM (QCOM) -6,1 % Paramount Skydance Corp (PSKY) +2,6 % Intel Corp (INTC) -5,9 %
Daniel Marván, Fio banka, a.s.

28.9.2026 15:45

Index Dow Jones -0,54 % na 51550,63 b. S&P 500 -0,5 % na 7704,4 b. Nasdaq Composite -0,65 % na 26892,14 b.

Nový týden začal v červeném. Na trzích negativně se projevilo odmítnutí předložených podmínek příměří ze strany USA s Iránem. Futures na ropu rostou o 2 % a WTI se obchoduje za USD 94,4. Tlak nepolevuje ani na dluhopisovém trhu, kde se výnos 10ti a 30ti letých dluhopisů drží u několikaletých maxim. Treasury se splatností deseti let aktuálně nese výnos nad 5,2 %.

Z indexu S&P 500 posiluje pouze sektor energií a realit.  Z indexu Dow Jones významně klesají akcie Boeing (- 4,9 %) a Salesforce (- 4,2 %). Nejlepší akcií indexu je Nvidia (3,25 %), která navyšuje program zpětného odkupu akcií o USD 150 mld. na USD 235 mld.

PepsiCo obdržela snížené investiční doporučení na stupni Hold od Deutsche Bank s cílovou cenou USD 138. Důvodem snížení je skepse analytického domu z obnovení růstu v Severní Americe.

Index S&P 500 -0,5 % na 7704,4 b. Nejsilnější sektory S&P Změna Nejslabší sektory S&P Změna Energie +0,8 % Zbytná spotřeba -1,3 % Reality +0,1 % Komunikační služby -1,3 % Zdravotní péče +0 % Základní materiály -1,1 % Nejsilnější akcie S&P Změna Nejslabší akcie S&P Změna NVIDIA Corp (NVDA) +3,1 % Bloom Energy Corp (BE) -7,2 % CF Industries Holdings (CF) +2,2 % QUALCOMM (QCOM) -6,9 % Universal Health Services (UHS) +2,2 % DoorDash (DASH) -5,7 % Humana (HUM) +2,1 % ServiceNow (NOW) -5,3 % Casey's General Stores (CASY) +2,0 % Intel Corp (INTC) -5,0 %
Marek Kameništiak
Fio banka, a.s.
Prohlášení

Choosing between ASML Holding (ASML +1.25%) and Qualcomm (QCOM +3.97%) in 2026 means weighing a hardware monopoly against a mobile chip leader that's working to diversify.

ASML provides the complex lithography tools the world's leading chipmakers use to etch tiny circuits onto silicon. Qualcomm, meanwhile, designs the processors and modems that power smartphones and vehicles worldwide. Both show up on lists of the best semiconductor stocks to own, but they occupy very different corners of the chip supply chain.

The case for ASML HoldingASML manufactures lithography systems, which are massive machines that use light to print patterns on silicon wafers. It is currently the only company in the world capable of producing extreme ultraviolet (EUV) machines. These tools are indispensable for manufacturing the smallest, fastest chips found in smartphones and data centers. The company serves major chipmakers like Intel, TSMC, and Samsung, providing hardware, software, and ongoing maintenance.

ASML reports its results in euros, and the figures here are converted to U.S. dollars. In fiscal 2025, revenue reached nearly $37.5 billion, up approximately 15.6% from the previous year. This performance led to net income of roughly $11.0 billion for the same period. The company maintained a strong net margin of approximately 29.4%, which measures how much of each dollar in sales turns into profit. This growth reflects the global push for higher computing power and the expansion of advanced chip manufacturing capacity.

As of its December 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio was roughly 0.2x. This ratio measures total debt against shareholder equity, with a lower number typically suggesting a lighter debt load relative to what owners have invested. The current ratio, which compares short-term assets to short-term liabilities, was roughly 1.3x. Free cash flow for the fiscal year reached nearly $12.2 billion, representing the cash remaining after the business pays for its operations and capital investments.

The case for QualcommQualcomm develops the wireless technologies and processors that power phones and other connected devices. Beyond its handset business, it's expanding into automotive and Internet of Things (IoT) segments. Major customers include Apple (AAPL +1.53%), Samsung, and Xiaomi (XIACF -1.63%), each accounting for 10% or more of revenue in fiscal 2025. This level of customer concentration adds risk to the business, particularly as some clients look to design their own components.

In fiscal 2025, which ended in September 2025, revenue reached about $44.3 billion, up nearly 13.7% from the prior year. Net income for the period was roughly $5.5 billion, for a net margin of about 12.5%. While revenue has grown from roughly $35.8 billion in fiscal 2023, net income fell from the $10.1 billion reported in fiscal 2024. The decline came from a one-time, non-cash tax charge of $5.7 billion that Qualcomm recorded after U.S. tax legislation passed in July 2025, a charge larger than the entire drop in net income.

As of its September 2025 balance sheet, the debt-to-equity ratio stood at approximately 0.7x. The current ratio was roughly 2.8x, indicating a strong ability to cover short-term obligations with liquid assets like cash and accounts receivable. Free cash flow for the fiscal year was nearly $12.8 billion, which gives the company plenty of room to fund research and development.

Risk profile comparisonASML faces unique geopolitical risks because it is a critical bottleneck in the global chip supply chain. Export restrictions can limit its ability to sell advanced equipment to certain regions, potentially affecting future growth. The company also relies on the capital spending cycles of a few large chipmakers, such as Intel, TSMC, and Samsung. If these customers delay their factory upgrades, the company's order book can swing significantly.

Qualcomm deals with heavy revenue concentration among a small group of device manufacturers like Apple. These partners could vertically integrate, replacing Qualcomm's modems with internal designs. The company faces competition from rivals like Broadcom (AVGO +0.70%) and Nvidia (NVDA +0.22%). Its business in China also exposes it to trade tensions and evolving export controls that could disrupt sales to manufacturers like Xiaomi.

Valuation comparisonQualcomm appears significantly cheaper on both earnings and sales multiples, while ASML trades at a premium reflecting its unique position in lithography.

MetricASML HoldingQualcommForward P/E28.9x19.7xP/S ratio17.3x4.8xValuation metrics include sourcing from Financial Modeling Prep (FMP) and may differ from other data providers.

ASML looks like the better buy to me, but I'd be a cautious buyer. The stock has run hard over the past year, and I'd want to see whether chipmakers pull back on AI spending before adding a full position.

Qualcomm's lower valuation makes more sense once you look at its latest results. Revenue for the first nine months of fiscal 2026 slipped slightly from a year earlier, and operating income fell by roughly a quarter. The company leans on a handful of phone makers and expects Apple to increasingly use its own modems. Automotive, IoT, and AI chips give Qualcomm options, but those markets still have to show they can reduce its dependence on phones.

ASML's position is much harder to copy. It's the only company that makes EUV machines, and it turns nearly a third of every sale into profit. Its order backlog at the end of 2025 was larger than a full year of revenue, and in July management raised its 2026 sales outlook to a range that implies growth of more than 30%. That's why the shares cost more on every multiple in the table above, and why a sharp pullback in chipmakers' spending would hit the stock hard.

For a long-term investor with a diversified portfolio, paying up for a monopoly tied to AI chip demand looks like a better bet than buying a cheaper stock that still has to prove it can grow. I'd add to the position gradually rather than all at once.