Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) Stock Price Up 1.3% – Here’s Why

Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ:QCOM) shares rose 1.3% during mid-day trading on Wednesday. The stock traded as high as $178.99 and last traded at $177.96. Approximately 7,154,637 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 53% from the average daily volume of 15,153,643 shares. The stock had previously closed at $175.71.

Trending Headlines about Qualcomm

Here are the key news stories impacting Qualcomm this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Qualcomm is being highlighted as a potential “sleeper” AI winner. The company’s automotive business, data-center initiatives and custom silicon opportunities with hyperscalers could broaden its growth profile and lead investors to reassess its valuation. Prediction: This Chip Stock Could Be a Sleeper AI Winner
• Positive Sentiment: Exchange-traded funds purchased approximately $141.5 million of QCOM stock, providing a potential source of technical support and signaling continued institutional demand. Qualcomm Sees $141.5 Million in Net ETF Buying
• Positive Sentiment: An analyst upgrade helped lift the stock, while another report raised Qualcomm’s price target to $200, indicating that some analysts see upside from current levels. Qualcomm Stock Jumps on Analyst Upgrade Qualcomm Price Target Raised to $200
• Positive Sentiment: Qualcomm declared a quarterly dividend of $0.92 per share, or $3.68 annualized, representing a yield of approximately 2.1% and reinforcing its shareholder-return appeal. Qualcomm Declares Quarterly Dividend
• Neutral Sentiment: Qualcomm will report fourth-quarter and fiscal 2026 results after the market closes on November 4. The release and management’s outlook will be the next major catalyst for QCOM. Qualcomm Schedules Fiscal 2026 Earnings Release
• Negative Sentiment: Erste Group reduced its fiscal 2027 EPS forecast slightly to $7.28 from $7.31, below the broader consensus estimate of $7.71, suggesting some caution about Qualcomm’s earnings trajectory. Qualcomm Analyst Estimate
• Negative Sentiment: Coverage continues to emphasize pressure from weaker handset earnings and fluctuating revenue, while Intel has recently shown stronger overall revenue performance. These comparisons could limit enthusiasm until Qualcomm demonstrates more consistent growth outside smartphones. Qualcomm Automotive Growth Meets Pressure on Handset Earnings Intel vs. Qualcomm
• Negative Sentiment: An executive sold approximately $437,650 of Qualcomm stock. While not necessarily fundamental, insider selling can weigh modestly on investor sentiment. Qualcomm Insider Selling

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research firms have weighed in on QCOM. HSBC reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Qualcomm in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $160.00 price target on shares of Qualcomm in a research report on Thursday, July 30th. Cantor Fitzgerald decreased their price target on shares of Qualcomm from $200.00 to $165.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 27th. Barclays reaffirmed an “underweight” rating on shares of Qualcomm in a research report on Wednesday, September 9th. Finally, Arete Research upgraded shares of Qualcomm to a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Friday, October 16th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twelve have issued a Buy rating, twenty-one have given a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $205.83.

Qualcomm Price Performance

The company has a market capitalization of $187.89 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.35, a PEG ratio of 4.00 and a beta of 1.65. 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 business has a 50 day simple moving average of $175.97 and a 200-day simple moving average of $181.04.

Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The wireless technology company reported $2.21 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate 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 for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.69 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.77 EPS. The firm’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. Analysts predict that Qualcomm Incorporated will post 7.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Qualcomm Announces Dividend

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

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CEO Cristiano Amon sold 10,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 177,568 shares in the company, valued at $35,513,600. This trade represents a 5.33% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, EVP Ann Chaplin sold 1,827 shares of Qualcomm stock in a transaction on Friday, October 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $174.75, for a total value of $319,268.25. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 25,770 shares in the company, valued at $4,503,307.50. The trade was a 6.62% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Over the last three months, insiders sold 33,458 shares of company stock worth $6,198,144. 0.05% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Qualcomm

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of QCOM. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Qualcomm in the second quarter valued at $17,583,115,000. State Street Corp grew its holdings in Qualcomm by 1.3% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 52,763,263 shares of the wireless technology company’s stock worth $9,750,123,000 after acquiring an additional 671,537 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp grew its holdings in Qualcomm by 22.7% during the second quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 17,202,619 shares of the wireless technology company’s stock worth $3,178,872,000 after acquiring an additional 3,179,720 shares during the period. Amundi raised its position in Qualcomm by 94.1% in the second quarter. Amundi now owns 10,195,741 shares of the wireless technology company’s stock worth $1,884,071,000 after acquiring an additional 4,942,908 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new stake in Qualcomm in the second quarter worth about $1,523,930,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.35% of the company’s stock.

About Qualcomm

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.