Qualcomm Surpasses Revenue Estimates Amid AI Push and Apple Transition
Qualcomm delivered a mixed fourth quarter, with revenue climbing 10% year-over-year to $11.27 billion—beating analyst expectations of $10.79 billion. Adjusted earnings per share reached $3.00, outperforming the $2.88 forecast. However, a significant tax charge resulted in a net loss of $3.12 billion, starkly contrasting with last year's $2.92 billion profit.
The chipmaker's guidance for the next quarter suggests continued momentum, projecting revenue between $11.8 billion and $12.6 billion—well above the $11.62 billion consensus. Earnings expectations of $3.30 to $3.50 per share also exceeded analyst predictions.
Qualcomm's traditional stronghold in mobile chips faces uncertainty as CEO Cristiano Amon confirmed plans to phase out modem supplies to Apple. The company is aggressively diversifying into AI hardware, Windows PCs, and augmented reality devices, signaling a strategic pivot beyond smartphones.
