8-KEarnings & ResultsExhibits & Filings

QUALCOMM INC/DE 8-K Report, Financial Results (Nov 8, 2007)

Filed November 8, 2007For Securities:QCOM

Summary

Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM) filed an 8-K on November 8, 2007, to announce its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2007. The filing primarily consists of a press release that details the company's financial performance, with a significant emphasis on pro forma financial information. This pro forma data is used internally by management to assess and benchmark operational performance, excluding certain items deemed unrelated to core business activities, such as the Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives (QSI) segment, certain share-based compensation, prior year tax items, and acquired in-process R&D. Investors should note that while GAAP figures are the official accounting standard, Qualcomm's management relies heavily on these pro forma measures for performance evaluation and compensation decisions. The company also highlighted its use of free cash flow, defined as operating cash flow less capital expenditures, as a key metric for evaluating financial strength and growth potential. Interested parties are directed to Exhibit 99.1 for the full press release, which includes reconciliations between GAAP and pro forma results.

Key Highlights

  • 1Announcement of Q4 and Fiscal Year 2007 financial results for Qualcomm Incorporated.
  • 2Significant use of pro forma financial information by management for performance evaluation.
  • 3Pro forma results exclude the Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives (QSI) segment, certain share-based compensation, prior year tax items, and acquired in-process R&D.
  • 4Management views pro forma metrics as more reflective of ongoing core business operations and comparable performance.
  • 5Introduction of free cash flow (operating cash flow less capital expenditures) as a key metric for evaluating business growth and shareholder value.
  • 6Emphasis on pro forma measures for management compensation and board review.
  • 7Exhibit 99.1 contains the full press release and reconciliations between GAAP and pro forma financial data.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary purpose of this 8-K filing is to publicly announce Qualcomm's financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2007, through an attached press release.

Qualcomm presents pro forma financial information because management uses it to evaluate and benchmark the operating results of its ongoing core businesses (Qualcomm CDMA Technologies, Qualcomm Technology Licensing, and Qualcomm Wireless & Internet segments) on a more consistent and comparable basis, excluding items that management believes are unrelated to operational performance.

Qualcomm's pro forma results exclude the Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives (QSI) segment, certain estimated share-based compensation (other than for the executive bonus program), certain tax items related to prior years, and acquired in-process R&D. These exclusions are made because management views these items as not directly reflective of ongoing operational performance or as having theoretical/non-cash impacts.

Qualcomm defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. The company believes this measure is useful for evaluating operating performance and financial strength, and it is used by management to assess cash flow available for business growth and to create long-term shareholder value.