Pro Login

Qualcomm Reports Strong Earnings But Lowers Forecast Due to Memory Shortage

A stylized illustration of a cylindrical cup with blue arrows and lines indicating a swirling or rotational motion inside the cup.
Published Feb 5, 2026
Share:
A tablet displaying a downward red graph sits on a desk with computer chips, RAM sticks, and a magnifying glass—hinting at Qualcomm's recent earnings and the ongoing memory shortage. The BriefsFinance logo is visible.
Summary:

  • Qualcomm's earnings for Q1 beat expectations with adjusted EPS at $3.50 against a forecast of $3.41.
  • Revenue reached $12.25 billion, slightly above the expected $12.21 billion.
  • Shares fell 10% in after-hours trading due to a lowered forecast caused by a global memory shortage.

Strong Earnings Amid Challenges

Qualcomm reported its fiscal first-quarter earnings on Wednesday, showcasing a solid performance with adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.50.

This figure surpassed the expected EPS of $3.41. Additionally, the company achieved revenue of $12.25 billion, which was slightly higher than the anticipated $12.21 billion, according to LSEG consensus estimates.

Forecast Cut Due to Memory Shortage

Despite the positive earnings results, Qualcomm's outlook for the current quarter fell short of expectations. The company predicted adjusted EPS to range between $2.45 and $2.65, and revenue between $10.2 billion and $11 billion.

Analysts had expected EPS of $2.89 and sales of $11.11 billion. This guidance shortfall is attributed to a global memory shortage impacting the production capabilities for smartphones and other devices.

Impact on Stock Performance

Following the announcement of its forecast, Qualcomm's shares dropped by as much as 10% in extended trading. The company’s CEO, Cristiano Amon, noted in an interview that the memory situation is significant enough to define the size of the mobile market.

He indicated that while demand for handsets remains high, the smartphone market is currently experiencing an upgrade cycle, and issues with supply are expected.

Growth in Other Segments

In addition to its challenges, Qualcomm reported positive growth in certain segments. Handset sales rose 3% year-over-year, totaling $7.82 billion.

Additionally, Qualcomm's Internet of Things (IoT) division saw sales increase by 9% to $1.69 billion. The automotive business also performed well, growing 15% to reach $1.1 billion. These segments contributed to Qualcomm's overall revenue growth of 5% during the quarter.

Licensing Revenue Highlights

Qualcomm's revenue from licensing its intellectual property, known as QTL revenue, was reported at $1.59 billion.

This revenue stream is significantly more profitable than hardware sales. The company continues to expand its licensing agreements, particularly for technologies such as 5G, which further strengthens its financial position.

Looking Ahead

Although Qualcomm is facing challenges due to memory shortages, Amon expressed optimism about the company's future.

He mentioned that the data center sales from new AI chips and other products are expected to start appearing in fiscal 2027. This growth could provide a boost to Qualcomm's revenue streams in the coming years.

Disclosure

Get Market Briefs delivered to your inbox every morning for free!

No fluff. No noise. No politics. Just finance news you can read in 5 minutes.

Blogs

April 13, 2026
What Is Free Cash Flow? How To Find It & Why It's Important
  • Free cash flow is the cash a company has left after paying its bills and putting money back into the business.
  • Investors use free cash flow to figure out what a company is really worth - and if the stock is a good deal.
  • You can find free cash flow on a company's cash flow report, one of three key reports every public company files.
Read More
April 13, 2026
Non Taxable Income: What It Is and Why Investors Care

Non taxable income is money you earn that the IRS does not tax - like Roth IRA cash, muni bond interest, and certain investment gains. The U.S. tax code taxes workers, investors, and business owners at very different rates. Tools like Roth accounts, muni bonds, and real estate write-offs can help you keep more of what you earn.

Read More
April 11, 2026
Nasdaq Index Fund: A Beginner's Guide to Investing in the Nasdaq 100
  • A Nasdaq index fund lets you invest in the 100 biggest non-bank companies on the stock market all at once.
  • You can access the Nasdaq through index funds, mutual funds, or ETFs like QQQ - each with its own fees, trading rules, and style.
  • Picking the right Nasdaq index fund comes down to three things: who runs it, what is in it, and what it costs.
Read More
April 11, 2026
What Is Wealth? It's Not What Most People Think
  • Wealth is about owning assets that grow and pay you - not just earning a high salary.
  • In a capitalist system, there are two ways to get paid: from your labor and from your capital.
  • Building wealth takes a shift in mindset, a money system, and the habit of investing before you spend.
Read More
April 10, 2026
Micron Stock: The AI Memory Play Most Investors Are Missing
  • Micron (MU) is the only U.S. company that makes HBM chips - the short-term memory layer that AI systems need to run.
  • By early 2026, data centers were using about 70% of all memory chips made in the world, creating an 18-month backlog for new orders.
  • Micron's DRAM - or short-term memory chip - revenue jumped 69% year over year, and the company shifted away from consumer products to focus almost entirely on AI.
Read More
April 10, 2026
What Is Working Capital? What Investors Need To Know
  • Working capital is current assets minus current liabilities - it shows if a business can pay its short-term bills.
  • You find it on a company's balance sheet inside its 10-K report.
  • Changes in working capital show up on the cash flow statement and affect how much cash a business really makes.
Read More
April 9, 2026
What Is a Meme Stock? A Simple Guide for New Investors

You've probably heard the term "meme stock" thrown around on […]

Read More
April 9, 2026
Enterprise Value Formula: What It Is and How to Calculate It
  • Enterprise value (EV) shows what a company is really worth - debt and cash included - not just its stock price
  • The enterprise value formula is: Market Cap + Total Debt - Cash and Cash Equivalents
  • Investors use EV with metrics like EBITDA to compare stocks more fairly than market cap alone
Read More
April 8, 2026
Return on Equity: What It Is and How to Use It
  • Return on equity (ROE) measures how much profit a company earns for every dollar of shareholder equity
  • The formula is simple: net income divided by shareholder equity
  • A higher ROE can signal a company that is good at turning investor money into profit - but it is not the full picture
Read More
April 4, 2026
Personal Finance Books That Actually Teach You to Build Wealth

Most investors grow up hearing the same financial advice. Study […]

Read More
1 2 3 17
Share via
Copy link