QUALCOMM (NASDAQ:QCOM) Releases Earnings Results, Beats Expectations By $0.12 EPS

QUALCOMM (NASDAQ:QCOM) released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday. The wireless technology company reported $3.50 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.38 by $0.12, FiscalAI reports. QUALCOMM had a net margin of 12.51% and a return on equity of 43.22%. The business had revenue of $12.25 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.16 billion.

QUALCOMM Trading Up 1.2%

NASDAQ:QCOM traded up $1.71 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $148.89. 18,497,423 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 9,809,353. The stock has a market capitalization of $159.02 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.45, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.41 and a beta of 1.22. QUALCOMM has a one year low of $120.80 and a one year high of $205.95. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $168.65 and a 200 day simple moving average of $165.38. The company has a current ratio of 2.82, a quick ratio of 2.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70.

QUALCOMM Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 26th. Investors of record on Thursday, March 5th will be paid a $0.89 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, March 5th. This represents a $3.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.4%. QUALCOMM’s payout ratio is currently 72.80%.

More QUALCOMM News

Here are the key news stories impacting QUALCOMM this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Forbes highlights Qualcomm’s strong free cash flow, which supports buybacks/dividends and underpins upside potential for the stock. Why Qualcomm Stock’s Strong Cash Flows Point To More Upside
• Positive Sentiment: Yahoo reports Qualcomm is expanding beyond handsets into Open RAN, AI and automotive (Zenith), diversifying revenue drivers and reducing reliance on smartphone cycles. Qualcomm Expands Beyond Handsets With Open RAN AI And Auto Growth
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks notes the next‑generation Snapdragon Elite is being used in ECARX’s Zenith platform, strengthening Qualcomm’s position in software-defined, AI-enabled vehicles. Will Qualcomm’s Next-Generation Snapdragon Elite Chip Fuel Its Shares?
• Positive Sentiment: Bernstein reiterates value in Qualcomm despite smartphone concerns, citing valuation and longer-term growth levers. Why Bernstein Still Sees Value in Qualcomm (QCOM) Despite Smartphone Fears
• Neutral Sentiment: Several previews and guides (Blockonomi, Seeking Alpha, Yahoo, MSN) set expectations for the earnings call, emphasizing watchpoints: handset revenue trends, data‑center commentary and forward guidance. Qualcomm (QCOM) Stock: What Wall Street Expects from Earnings Today?
• Neutral Sentiment: Analysts reset price targets ahead of earnings — adjustments reflect differing views on near-term handset demand and longer-term growth, producing mixed signals for traders. Analysts reset Qualcomm stock price target ahead of earnings
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor pieces (InsiderMonkey, Blockonomi buy‑the‑dip takes, Hussman portfolio mention) note QCOM’s strategic positioning but treat near-term risk/reward as balanced. Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM): Navigating Global Smartphone Challenges with 5G and IoT Strength
• Negative Sentiment: Cantor Fitzgerald cut its price target to $160, citing conservative guidance and possible market‑share shifts, which pressures sentiment and increases downside risk if guidance disappoints. Cantor Fitzgerald Lowers Qualcomm (QCOM) PT to $160, Cites Conservative Guidanc, Looming Market Share Shifts
• Negative Sentiment: Seeking Alpha and other previews flag handset headwinds and that investor focus will be on data‑center commentary and guidance; weak forward commentary could drive a pullback. Qualcomm Q1 Earnings Preview: Handset headwinds, data center commentary in focus

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have recently weighed in on QCOM shares. UBS Group reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of QUALCOMM in a report on Monday. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on QUALCOMM from $175.00 to $200.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Citigroup reissued a “neutral” rating on shares of QUALCOMM in a report on Thursday, January 15th. Mizuho cut their price target on QUALCOMM from $175.00 to $160.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, January 26th. Finally, Susquehanna set a $210.00 target price on shares of QUALCOMM in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $188.50.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Ann C. Chaplin sold 7,180 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, December 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $178.03, for a total value of $1,278,255.40. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 23,944 shares in the company, valued at $4,262,750.32. This represents a 23.07% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Akash J. Palkhiwala sold 10,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, December 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $175.12, for a total transaction of $1,751,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 44,803 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,845,901.36. The trade was a 18.25% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 44,820 shares of company stock valued at $7,883,482 over the last 90 days. 0.05% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On QUALCOMM

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of QCOM. Sittner & Nelson LLC grew its stake in shares of QUALCOMM by 13.1% in the 3rd quarter. Sittner & Nelson LLC now owns 683 shares of the wireless technology company’s stock valued at $114,000 after buying an additional 79 shares during the period. Binnacle Investments Inc grew its stake in QUALCOMM by 25.8% in the second quarter. Binnacle Investments Inc now owns 835 shares of the wireless technology company’s stock valued at $133,000 after acquiring an additional 171 shares during the period. Triumph Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of QUALCOMM during the third quarter valued at approximately $163,000. Imprint Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of QUALCOMM during the third quarter worth approximately $176,000. Finally, Olde Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in QUALCOMM in the 3rd quarter valued at $213,000. 74.35% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

QUALCOMM Company Profile

QUALCOMM Incorporated is a global semiconductor and telecommunications equipment company headquartered in San Diego, California. Founded in 1985, the company is known for its development of wireless technologies and for playing a central role in the evolution of digital cellular standards, including CDMA and subsequent generations of mobile standards. Qualcomm’s business combines the design and sale of semiconductor products with a patent licensing program for wireless technologies and related intellectual property.

The company’s product portfolio includes system-on-chip (SoC) platforms marketed under the Snapdragon brand, cellular modem and RF front-end components, connectivity solutions for Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth, and processors and platforms aimed at automotive, IoT, networking and edge-computing applications.