10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2001

QUALCOMM INC/DE Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Apr 1, 2001

Filed April 26, 2001For Securities:QCOM

Summary

Qualcomm Inc. (QCOM) reported its quarterly results for the period ending April 1, 2001, reflecting a complex financial landscape shaped by strategic investments, market shifts, and accounting changes. While the company saw a slight decrease in overall revenue compared to the prior year's quarter, this was influenced by the sale of its terrestrial-based CDMA wireless consumer phone business and the strategic decision to recognize revenue from Globalstar only upon cash receipt. Despite these revenue pressures, key segments like Qualcomm CDMA Technologies (QCT) and Qualcomm Technology Licensing (QTL) showed growth in specific areas, with QCT benefiting from increased chip shipments and QTL from rising royalty income. The company's financial statements reveal significant investments in new ventures and technologies, including spectrum acquisition in Australia and the development of the BREW platform, underscoring its commitment to the future of wireless communication. However, the period was also marked by substantial asset impairment charges, particularly related to the Globalstar business, and a notable increase in amortization of goodwill due to the SnapTrack acquisition. A significant accounting change related to FAS 133, impacting derivative instruments, resulted in a one-time gain but also introduced potential for increased quarterly volatility in earnings.

Key Highlights

  • 1Revenue for the quarter ending April 1, 2001, was $713.3 million, a slight decrease from $727.7 million in the prior year's quarter. This was impacted by the divestiture of the consumer phone business and strategic revenue recognition changes for Globalstar.
  • 2Qualcomm CDMA Technologies (QCT) segment revenues increased to $363.7 million from $279.2 million, driven by higher integrated circuit shipments, although average selling prices declined.
  • 3Qualcomm Technology Licensing (QTL) segment revenues grew to $229.5 million from $167.7 million, reflecting strong global demand for CDMA technologies and increased royalty income.
  • 4The company recorded significant asset impairment charges totaling $476 million in the first six months of fiscal 2001, primarily related to the Globalstar business, and substantial goodwill amortization of $126 million due to the SnapTrack acquisition.
  • 5A one-time gain of $129 million (net of tax) was recognized due to the adoption of FAS 133, which requires derivative instruments to be recorded at fair value, though this also introduces potential for increased earnings volatility.
  • 6Cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $2.3 billion, providing a strong liquidity position to fund ongoing operations, strategic investments, and future growth initiatives.
  • 7Significant strategic investments and initiatives are underway, including spectrum acquisition in Australia for 3G deployment and the development of the BREW platform for CDMA devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

The decline in overall revenue is primarily attributable to the sale of the terrestrial-based CDMA wireless consumer phone business in February 2000, and the strategic decision to recognize revenue from the Globalstar business only upon cash receipt, alongside a decrease in average selling prices for integrated circuits.

The adoption of FAS 133, 'Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,' required Qualcomm to record derivative instruments at fair value. This resulted in a one-time cumulative gain of $129 million (net of tax) recognized at the beginning of fiscal 2001. However, it also means that unrealized gains and losses on these instruments will be recorded in the income statement, potentially leading to substantial quarterly fluctuations in operating results due to market volatility.

Qualcomm has recorded significant asset impairment charges ($476 million in the first six months of fiscal 2001) related to its investment in Globalstar due to Globalstar suspending principal and interest payments on its debt. Qualcomm has also changed its revenue recognition policy for Globalstar, only recognizing revenue upon cash receipt. As of April 1, 2001, Qualcomm has approximately $54 million in net assets remaining related to Globalstar, and expects significantly lower revenues from this business.

Qualcomm is focusing on several key strategic initiatives, including acquiring spectrum for third-generation (3G) wireless services in Australia, developing its Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW) platform to enable advanced applications on CDMA devices, and continuing to make strategic investments through Qualcomm Ventures to support the adoption of CDMA technology and the wireless Internet.