Summary
Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) reported for the fiscal year ending September 28, 2019, a return to profitability after a net loss in the prior year, primarily driven by a significant licensing settlement with Apple Inc. and its contract manufacturers. This settlement, along with ongoing licensing and semiconductor product sales, forms the core of Qualcomm's business. The company remains a leader in foundational wireless technologies, particularly as the industry transitions to 5G, with substantial ongoing investment in research and development to maintain its technological edge. Despite the positive net income swing, the QCT (semiconductor) segment saw a revenue decline, largely due to lower modem sales to Apple and reduced demand from Chinese OEMs. The QTL (licensing) segment also experienced a decrease in revenue compared to the prior year, though the Apple settlement provided a substantial boost in fiscal 2019. Qualcomm continues to navigate a complex and competitive landscape, facing risks related to technological evolution, regulatory scrutiny, and customer concentration, particularly concerning its licensing practices and its relationship with key customers like Apple and Huawei.
Financial Highlights
51 data points| Revenue | $24.27B |
| Cost of Revenue | $8.60B |
| Gross Profit | $15.67B |
| R&D Expenses | $5.40B |
| SG&A Expenses | $2.19B |
| Operating Expenses | $16.61B |
| Operating Income | $7.67B |
| Interest Expense | $627.00M |
| Net Income | $4.39B |
| EPS (Basic) | $3.63 |
| EPS (Diluted) | $3.59 |
| Shares Outstanding (Basic) | 1.21B |
| Shares Outstanding (Diluted) | 1.22B |
Key Highlights
- 1Returned to profitability in fiscal year 2019 with a net income of $4.4 billion, a significant improvement from a net loss of $5.0 billion in fiscal 2018.
- 2Secured a major licensing settlement with Apple Inc. and its contract manufacturers, which included a $4.7 billion payment and a new multi-year chipset agreement, providing a significant revenue boost in Q3 fiscal 2019.
- 3QCT (semiconductor) segment revenues decreased by 16% to $14.6 billion in fiscal 2019, primarily due to lower modem sales to Apple and reduced demand from Chinese OEMs.
- 4QTL (licensing) segment revenues decreased by 9% to $4.6 billion in fiscal 2019, impacted by lower per-unit royalty caps, a shift towards standard-essential patent-only licenses, and ongoing negotiations with Huawei.
- 5The company is heavily investing in 5G technology development, aiming to maintain its leadership position as the industry transitions to the next generation of wireless connectivity.
- 6Faces ongoing litigation and regulatory scrutiny, notably an FTC ruling against its licensing practices, with appeals underway, which could materially impact future business practices and revenue.
- 7Significant stock repurchase program remains active, with $7.1 billion remaining authorization as of September 29, 2019, impacting cash availability but returning capital to shareholders.