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US Markets: Why Qualcomm shares are in top focus today with quarterly earnings, growth outlook amid AI costs concerns

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Qualcomm's upcoming fiscal fourth-quarter results are projected to reflect steep downturns, with analysts forecasting a 28% drop in adjusted earnings per share alongside falling revenue. The core handset division continues to drag on performance, with segment revenue expected to decline roughly 25% year-over-year in the December quarter. Broader market pressures, including an 11.2% stock drop in late October tied to memory shortages, have intensified scrutiny on the report. To counteract mobile weakness, Qualcomm has secured a major agreement with SpaceX to supply 5G infrastructure for Starlink Mobile starting in 2027.

Key points

  • Anticipated quarterly declines stem from soft Android smartphone sales, increased compone…: Anticipated quarterly declines stem from soft Android smartphone sales, increased component costs, and fewer modem orders from Apple.
  • Official guidance previously placed quarterly revenue between $9.7 billion and $10.5 bill…: Official guidance previously placed quarterly revenue between $9.7 billion and $10.5 billion, with non-GAAP earnings per share from $2.05 to $2.25.
  • The multi-year SpaceX partnership represents Qualcomm's largest 5G contract to date, prov…: The multi-year SpaceX partnership represents Qualcomm's largest 5G contract to date, providing baseband units and software for Starlink Mobile sites starting in 2027.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Qualcomm shares are in focus on Wall Street on Wednesday, November 4, as the semiconductor manufacturer prepares to announce its fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 financial results after the US stock market closes. Investors will closely monitor the company's revenue, earnings and management commentary amid weakening smartphone demand, rising component costs, concerns over artificial intelligence spending, and increasing competition in the semiconductor industry.

The company's dependence on the smartphone market is emerging as a key concern. While handset chips remain Qualcomm's biggest revenue contributor, Apple's efforts to develop its own cellular modem technology and softer demand for Android smartphones are creating additional challenges for its growth prospects.

These concerns have also weighed on the company's stock performance. On Friday, October 30, Qualcomm shares plunged 11.2% following Intel's earnings announcement, which triggered broader concerns about memory shortages and weakening consumer spending in the personal computer market.

On Wednesday, Qualcomm shares were trading at $172.05, up 4.63%, or $7.62. However, the stock remained down 0.76% year to date.

Wall Street analysts expect Qualcomm to report revenue of approximately $10.15 billion for the fourth quarter,…

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