Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in “Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Annual Report.
The following section generally discusses fiscal 2026 and 2025 items and year-to-year comparisons between fiscal 2026 and 2025. Discussions of fiscal 2024 items and year-to-year comparisons between fiscal 2025 and 2024 that are not included in this Annual Report can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2025.
Our Business and Operating Segments
We develop and commercialize foundational technologies and products used across industries and applications from handsets to automotive, the internet of things (IoT) and data center. We derive revenues principally from sales of integrated circuit products and licensing our intellectual property, including patents and other rights.
We are organized on the basis of products and services and have three reportable segments. We conduct business primarily through our QCT semiconductor business and our QTL licensing business. Our QSI reportable segment makes strategic investments. We also have nonreportable segments, including our Data Center, QGOV and Modular businesses.
Further information regarding our business and operating segments is provided in “Part I, Item 1. Business” of this Annual Report.
Seasonality. Many of our products and much of our intellectual property are incorporated into consumer wireless devices, which are subject to seasonality and other fluctuations in demand. Our revenues have historically fluctuated based on consumer demand for devices, as well as on the timing of customer/licensee device launches and/or innovation cycles (such as the transition to the next generation of wireless technologies). This has resulted in fluctuations in QCT revenues in advance of and during device launches incorporating our products and in QTL revenues when licensees’ sales occur. These trends may or may not continue in the future. Further, the trends for QTL have been, and may in the future be, impacted by disputes and/or resolutions with licensees and/or governmental investigations or proceedings.
Fiscal 2026 Overview
Revenues were $43.1 billion, a decrease of 3% compared to revenues of $44.3 billion in fiscal 2025, with net income of $13.6 billion, an increase of 146% compared to net income of $5.5 billion in fiscal 2025. Key items from fiscal 2026 included:
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QCT revenues decreased by 3% in fiscal 2026 compared to the prior year, due to lower handsets revenues, partially offset by higher automotive and IoT revenues.
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QTL revenues remained approximately flat in fiscal 2026 compared to the prior year.
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In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, we recorded a $5.7 billion income tax benefit from the release of a valuation allowance that was established in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, as we now expect to realize substantially all of our existing federal deferred tax assets as a result of additional guidance issued on corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) by the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service.
Results of Operations
| Revenues (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equipment and services | $ | 36,895 | $ | 37,869 | $ | (974) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Licensing | 6,225 | 6,415 | (190) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 43,120 | $ | 44,284 | $ | (1,164) |
2026 vs. 2025
The decrease in revenues in fiscal 2026 was primarily due to:
- $1.1 billion in lower equipment and services revenue from our QCT segment
+ $235 million in higher equipment and services revenues from our Data Center business, primarily driven by our acquisition of Alphawave IP Group plc (Alphawave) in the first quarter of fiscal 2026
| Costs and Expenses (in millions, except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | $ | 20,222 | $ | 19,738 | $ | 484 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 53 | % | 55 | % |
2026 vs. 2025
Gross margin percentage decreased in fiscal 2026 primarily due to a decrease in QCT gross margin percentage.
| 2026 | 2025 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 10,207 | $ | 9,042 | $ | 1,165 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| % of revenues | 24 | % | 20 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2026 vs. 2025
The increase in research and development expenses in fiscal 2026 was primarily due to:
+ $701 million increase driven by higher costs related to the development of connectivity and integrated circuit technologies (including investments in key growth and diversification opportunities such as our Data Center business), primarily driven by an increase in employee-related expenses and lower non-recurring engineering cost reimbursements for product-related development work
+ $428 million increase in share-based compensation expense
We expect to continue investing in key growth and diversification initiatives. The increase in our share-based compensation expense includes the replacement of our annual cash incentive awards for fiscal 2026 and 2027 with a two-year equity award for our broader non-executive leadership team. This approach is designed to motivate and retain our team to execute our long-term diversification strategy, while further aligning their compensation with the interests of our stockholders.
| 2026 | 2025 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | $ | 3,701 | $ | 3,110 | $ | 591 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| % of revenues | 9 | % | 7 | % |
2026 vs. 2025
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2026 was primarily due to:
+ $229 million increase in share-based compensation expense
+ $84 million increase in acquisition-related expenses
+ $55 million increase in employee-related expenses
| 2026 | 2025 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | $ | 332 | $ | 39 | $ | 293 |
2026 vs. 2025
Other expenses in fiscal 2026 consisted of restructuring and restructuring-related charges (substantially all of which related to severance costs).
| Interest Expense and Investment and Other Income, Net (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 689 | $ | 664 | $ | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment and other income, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and dividend income | $ | 424 | $ | 639 | $ | (215) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net gains on marketable securities | 386 | 254 | 132 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net gains on other investments | 252 | 44 | 208 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net gains on deferred compensation plan assets | 176 | 127 | 49 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment losses on other investments | (88) | (113) | 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net gains on equity method investments | 258 | 12 | 246 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 37 | 9 | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 1,445 | $ | 972 | $ | 473 |
2026 vs. 2025
Net gains on equity method investments in fiscal 2026 were primarily driven by higher earnings of certain QSI investments. Net gains on other investments in fiscal 2026 were primarily driven by observable price changes on certain of our QSI non-marketable equity investments. The decrease in interest and dividend income in fiscal 2026 was primarily due to lower balances of interest-bearing securities.
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense (in millions, except percentages)
The following table summarizes the primary factors that caused our annual tax provision from continuing operations to differ from the expected income tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate. Most of our income is taxed in the U.S., of which a significant portion qualifies for preferential treatment as foreign-derived deduction eligible income (FDDEI) at a 13% effective tax rate for the periods presented. Such benefits from FDDEI for fiscal 2026 were lower compared to fiscal 2025 as a result of changes to the current deduction of domestic research and development (R&D) expenditures under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB). Additional information regarding our annual effective tax rate is provided in this Annual Report in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 3. Income Taxes.”
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||
| Expected income tax provision at federal statutory tax rate | $ | 1,977 | $ | 2,659 | |||||||||||||
| Change in valuation allowance on federal deferred tax assets | (5,781) | 5,724 | |||||||||||||||
| Benefit from FDDEI deduction | (368) | (1,227) | |||||||||||||||
| Benefit related to the research and development tax credit | (229) | (237) | |||||||||||||||
| Other | 187 | 203 | |||||||||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | $ | (4,214) | $ | 7,122 | |||||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | (45 | %) | 56 | % |
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, tax reform legislation included in the OBBB was enacted in the United States. The OBBB included significant corporate tax reforms, including changes to the FDDEI regime and changes allowing domestic R&D expenditures to be deducted as incurred beginning in fiscal 2026 (under prior law such expenditures were capitalized and amortized over five years). As a result, we expected to be perpetually subject to CAMT and established a $5.7 billion valuation allowance on our federal deferred tax assets in fiscal 2025.
In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued Notice 2026-07, which, among other items, allows us to reduce CAMT by certain previously capitalized domestic R&D expenditures. As a result, we no longer expect to be subject to CAMT in the foreseeable future, and therefore, we now expect to realize our existing federal deferred tax assets. Accordingly, we released our valuation allowance on our federal deferred tax assets resulting in a $5.7 billion income tax benefit in the second quarter of fiscal 2026. Changes in future taxable income, tax laws and other factors may change our determination regarding whether we will be able to realize our deferred tax assets.
Segment Results
The following should be read in conjunction with the fiscal 2026 and 2025 results of operations for each reportable segment included in this Annual Report in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8. Segment Information.”
QCT Segment (in millions, except percentages)
| 2026 | 2025 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Handsets | $ | 24,072 | $ | 27,793 | $ | (3,721) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Automotive | 6,004 | 3,957 | 2,047 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IoT (internet of things) | 7,132 | 6,617 | 515 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues (1) | $ | 37,208 | $ | 38,367 | $ | (1,159) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| EBT (2) | $ | 10,101 | $ | 11,670 | $ | (1,569) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| EBT as a % of revenues | 27 | % | 30 | % | -3 points | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Descriptions of our three QCT revenue streams can be found in this Annual Report in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 2. Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items.”
(2) Earnings before income taxes.
Substantially all of QCT’s revenues consist of equipment and services revenues, which were $36.6 billion and $37.7 billion in fiscal 2026 and 2025, respectively. QCT revenues mostly relate to sales of our Snapdragon and Dragonwing platforms (which include processors and modems), standalone Mobile Data Modems, radio frequency transceiver, power management and wireless connectivity integrated chipsets as well as sales of RFFE products.
2026 vs. 2025
The decrease in QCT revenues in fiscal 2026 was primarily due to:
- lower handsets revenues, primarily due to lower chipset shipments to certain major OEMs (primarily driven by customers adjusting build plans to reduce their inventory levels as a result of the negative effects of recent memory supply constraints and related price increases)
+ higher automotive revenues, due to a $1.3 billion increase in revenues per unit driven by favorable mix and higher average selling prices and $712 million in higher shipments primarily from new vehicle launches with our Snapdragon digital cockpit and ADAS/AD products
+ higher IoT revenues, primarily due to an increase in revenues per unit primarily driven by favorable mix
QCT EBT as a percentage of revenues decreased in fiscal 2026 primarily due to:
- lower gross margin, primarily driven by higher product cost, partially offset by higher average selling prices
- higher operating expenses, primarily driven by higher research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses
- lower revenues
QTL Segment (in millions, except percentages)
| 2026 | 2025 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Licensing revenues | $ | 5,556 | $ | 5,582 | $ | (26) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| EBT | 4,022 | 4,043 | (21) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EBT as a % of revenues | 72 | % | 72 | % | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
2026 vs. 2025
The decrease in QTL revenues in fiscal 2026 was primarily due to:
- $194 million decrease in estimated sales of cellular products
- $43 million in lower royalty revenues recognized related to devices sold in prior periods
+ $238 million increase in revenues per unit, which was primarily driven by mix
QTL EBT as a percentage of revenue remained flat in fiscal 2026.
QSI Segment (in millions)
| 2026 | 2025 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| EBT | 794 | 180 | 614 |
2026 vs. 2025
QSI EBT increased in fiscal 2026 primarily due to $246 million in higher net gains from certain QSI equity method investments, $208 million in higher net gains from observable price changes on certain of our non-marketable equity investments and $148 million in higher net gains on marketable securities resulting from the initial public offerings of certain of our equity investments.
Looking Forward
As we look forward to the next several quarters:
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We expect current memory supply constraints and related pricing increases to adversely affect demand from several handset OEMs, which will negatively impact our financial results. The extent to which these conditions may affect our business will depend on future developments, including memory supply availability, memory and device pricing dynamics and end‑consumer demand for devices, all of which remain uncertain.
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The semiconductor industry is experiencing a broad-based increase in input costs and capacity constraints across wafer fabrication, assembly, test, advanced packaging, memory and other materials, due in part to increasing demand for leading-edge technologies, AI and data center applications. As a result, we continue to see increased product costs from certain of our key suppliers, which have and will continue to negatively impact our margins. In response to these higher costs, we are taking actions to increase our product pricing. We expect the full benefit of these actions to be reflected in our gross margins in the second half of fiscal 2027. Further, if these supply and capacity constraints limit the availability of components, manufacturing capacity or related services from our suppliers, we may be unable to fully satisfy customer demand, which could result in lost or delayed revenue and adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
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Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2027, we expect Data Center revenue growth as shipments begin to ramp under our previously announced custom silicon agreements with certain large hyperscale customers.
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We continue to monitor changes in global trade policy, including tariffs and related trade actions announced by the U.S., China and other countries. The degree to which such tariffs and other related actions impact our business, financial condition and results of operations will depend on future developments, which are uncertain. Changes to global trade policies may negatively impact demand, pricing and cost for our products and technologies, and contribute to the inherent uncertainties in estimating future customer demand, which may result in increased excess or obsolete inventory or reserve charges, negatively impacting our results of operations and cash flows.
*•*We expect continued intense competition, including from vertical integration by certain of our customers (for example, Apple and Samsung). In particular, Apple currently uses its own internally developed modem in certain of its smartphones and we expect that Apple will primarily use its own modem products, rather than our products, in its devices going forward, which will have a significant negative impact on our QCT revenues, results of operations and cash flows.
- Because a significant portion of our business is concentrated in China, U.S./China trade relations and/or national security protection policies may negatively impact our business, growth prospects and results of operations.
We are also involved in certain legal proceedings, including those described in this Annual Report in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 7. Commitments and Contingencies.” Litigation is inherently uncertain, and, while we intend to continue to vigorously defend ourselves in such matters, the unfavorable resolution of one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
Further discussion of risks related to our business is provided in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors” included in this Annual Report.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal sources of liquidity are our existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, cash generated from operations and cash provided by our debt programs, which we believe will satisfy our working and other capital requirements for at least the next 12 months based on our current business plans.
The following table presents selected financial information related to our liquidity as of and for the years ended September 27, 2026 and September 28, 2025 (in millions):
| September 27, 2026 | September 28, 2025 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (including restricted cash) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 4,636 | $ | 5,520 | $ | (884) | |||||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash (1) | — | 2,323 | (2,323) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Marketable securities | 3,045 | 4,635 | (1,590) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 7,681 | $ | 12,478 | $ | (4,797) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt (2) | $ | 15,112 | $ | 14,811 | $ | 301 |
(1) In connection with the acquisition of Alphawave, which closed in the first quarter of fiscal 2026, we had agreed to restrict the use of approximately $2.3 billion of cash to be held for purposes of satisfying payment of the consideration to effect the acquisition. Additional information regarding our acquisition of Alphawave is provided in this Annual Report in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 9. Acquisitions.”
(2) Includes our issued term debt and commercial paper outstanding.
| 2026 | 2025 | Change | |||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 11,145 | $ | 14,012 | $ | (2,867) | |||||||||||
| Net cash used by investing activities | (2,039) | (800) | (1,239) | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash used by financing activities | (12,295) | (13,196) | 901 |
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (including restricted cash). The decrease in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (including restricted cash) in fiscal 2026 was primarily due to $7.8 billion in payments to repurchase shares of our common stock, $3.9 billion in cash dividends paid, $2.5 billion in capital expenditures (primarily to support our engineering infrastructure and the testing of our integrated circuits), $1.6 billion in cash paid for acquisitions and other investments and $1.1 billion in payments of tax withholdings related to the vesting of share-based awards. This was partially offset by cash provided by operating activities and $497 million in net proceeds from commercial paper issuance.
During fiscal 2026, income taxes paid were greater than our provision. This was primarily driven by the $5.7 billion release of our valuation allowance on federal deferred tax assets in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 and our final installment payment for a one-time U.S. repatriation tax accrued in fiscal 2018 of $663 million. Tax reform legislation included in the OBBB was enacted in fiscal 2025 and contains certain provisions, including the deduction of domestic research and development expenditures as incurred, which reduced our cash tax payments and favorably impacted our cash flows from operations in fiscal 2026. We expect these provisions to continue to result in lower cash tax payments in future periods.
Net changes in our operating assets and liabilities decreased our operating cash flows primarily driven by an increase in inventory to secure supply and mitigate disruptions due to supply constraints, partially offset by a decrease in other assets which was primarily due to the utilization of prior advanced supply agreement payments.
Debt. At September 27, 2026, we had $15.1 billion of principal fixed-rate notes outstanding, $2.0 billion of which matures in 2027. The remaining debt has maturity dates in 2028 through 2053.
We have an unsecured commercial paper program, which provides for the issuance of up to $4.5 billion of commercial paper. Net proceeds from this program are used for general corporate purposes. At September 27, 2026, we had $499 million of commercial paper outstanding. We also have a Revolving Credit Facility that provides for unsecured revolving facility loans, swing line loans and letters of credit in an aggregate amount of up to $4.0 billion, which expires on August 8, 2029. At September 27, 2026, no amounts were outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility.
We expect to issue new debt in the future. The amount and timing of any such new debt will depend on a number of factors, including but not limited to maturities of our existing debt, acquisitions and strategic investments, working capital and capital expenditure requirements, favorable and/or acceptable interest rates and changes in corporate income tax law. Additional information regarding our debt is provided in this Annual Report in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 6. Debt.”
Capital Return Program. The following table summarizes stock repurchases (including excise taxes paid) and dividends paid during fiscal 2026 and 2025 (in millions, except per-share amounts):
| Stock Repurchase Program | Dividends | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Average Price Paid Per Share | Amount | Per Share | Amount | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 48 | $ | 161.96 | $ | 7,817 | $ | 3.62 | $ | 3,854 | $ | 11,671 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 56 | 155.43 | 8,791 | 3.48 | 3,805 | 12,596 |
At September 27, 2026, $19.6 billion remained authorized for repurchase under our stock repurchase program. The timing of future stock repurchases and the number of shares of common stock to be repurchased will depend upon prevailing market conditions and other factors. Repurchases may be made in the open market, through 10b5-1 programs, through accelerated share repurchase programs, in privately negotiated transactions or through the use of derivative instruments. Our stock repurchase programs are subject to periodic evaluations to determine when and if repurchases are in the best interests of our stockholders, and we may accelerate, suspend, delay or discontinue repurchases at any time.
We currently intend to continue to use cash dividends as a means of returning capital to stockholders, subject to capital availability and our view that cash dividends are in the best interests of our stockholders, among other factors. Additional information regarding our capital returns is provided in this Annual Report in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 4. Capital Stock.”
Additional Capital Requirements**.** Recent and expected working and other capital requirements, in addition to the above matters, also include the items described below:
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Our purchase obligations at September 27, 2026, which primarily relate to purchase commitments with certain suppliers of our integrated circuit products, including those under multi-year capacity commitments, totaled $18.6 billion, of which, $13.8 billion is expected to be paid in the next 12 months.
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Our research and development expenditures were $10.2 billion in fiscal 2026 and $9.0 billion in fiscal 2025.
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Cash outflows for capital expenditures were $2.5 billion in fiscal 2026 and $1.2 billion in fiscal 2025. We expect capital expenditures to increase from fiscal 2026 levels in the near term, primarily to support our engineering infrastructure and the testing of our integrated circuits.
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Amounts related to future lease payments for operating lease obligations at September 27, 2026, totaled $1.1 billion, with $162 million expected to be paid within the next 12 months.
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We expect to continue making strategic investments and acquisitions, the amounts of which could vary significantly. For further information related to our most recent acquisitions, see “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 9. Acquisitions” in this Annual Report.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and disclosure of contingent amounts. We base our estimates on historical and anticipated results and trends and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, including assumptions as to future events. By their nature, estimates are inherently subject to a degree of uncertainty. Although we believe that our estimates and the assumptions supporting our assessments are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from our estimates and assumptions, and could be material to our consolidated financial statements.
In addition to our critical accounting estimates and policies below, refer to “Note 1. Significant Accounting Policies” and “Note 2. Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items” included in this Annual Report in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information. If the impact of changes in our critical accounting estimates is material or considered necessary to understand our results of operations for the periods presented, then such information is disclosed within this Annual Report in “Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Revenue Recognition. We grant licenses or otherwise provide rights to use portions of our intellectual property portfolio, which, among other rights, includes certain patent rights essential to and/or useful in the manufacture, sale or use of certain wireless products. We estimate and recognize sales-based royalties on such licensed products in the period in which the licensees’ sales occur, which is based largely on preliminary royalty estimates provided by our licensees. For fiscal 2026 and 2025, actual amounts for sales-based royalties have been materially consistent with such estimates, and no significant reversals of revenues have been required as a result of adjustments to prior period royalty estimates.
Impairment of Non-marketable Equity Investments. We monitor our investments, many of which are in early-stage companies, for events or circumstances that could indicate impairment, including, among other factors, lower valuations in recently completed and anticipated financings. Key considerations in this assessment include the investee’s financial and liquidity position and business forecasts (including their ability to respond to any significant deterioration), industry
performance, development and/or market acceptance of the investee’s products or technologies, as well as considering any appreciation in fair value that has not been recognized in the carrying values of such investments and other relevant events and factors. Measurement of any impairments may require the use of unobservable inputs. In fiscal 2026 and 2025, there were no significant impairment losses or adjustments to our previous judgments and estimates recorded.
Inventories. We measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value considering judgments and estimates related to future customer demand and other market conditions, such as the impact of the macroeconomic environment and global trade policies. Although we believe these estimates are reasonable, any significant changes in customer demand that are less favorable than our previous estimates may require additional inventory write-downs and would be reflected in cost of sales resulting in a negative impact to our gross margin in that period. For fiscal 2026 and 2025, the net effect from changes in this estimate and related reserves was less than 1% of cost of revenues during each period.
Impairment of Goodwill, Other Indefinite-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets**.** We monitor our goodwill, other indefinite-lived assets and long-lived assets for the existence of impairment indicators and apply judgments in the valuation methods (generally income or market approach) and underlying inputs and assumptions utilized in such assessments, which are generally unobservable inputs. During fiscal 2026 and 2025, there were no material impairment charges for long-lived or indefinite-lived assets. Our annual qualitative assessment did not indicate that a more detailed quantitative analysis was necessary. Additionally, the estimated fair values of our reporting units, based on our qualitative assessment, were substantially in excess of their respective carrying values at September 27, 2026.
Legal and Regulatory Proceedings. We are currently involved in certain legal and regulatory proceedings, the outcomes of which are inherently uncertain. If there is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss may have been incurred associated with pending legal and regulatory proceedings, we disclose such fact. We record our best estimate of a loss related to pending legal and regulatory proceedings when the loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. We face difficulties in evaluating or estimating likely outcomes and/or the amount of possible loss in certain legal and regulatory proceedings. Until the final resolution of such matters, there may be an exposure to loss in excess of the amount recorded (or the possible loss disclosed), and such amounts could be material.
Income Taxes. We make significant judgments and estimates in determining our provision for income taxes, including our assessment of our income tax positions, both in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions, given the uncertainties involved in the interpretation and application of complex tax laws and regulations in various taxing jurisdictions. While we believe we have appropriate support for the positions we have taken or plan to take on our tax returns, we regularly assess the potential outcomes of examinations by taxing authorities in determining the adequacy of our provision for income taxes based on the technical merits of the position. The actual liability for U.S. or foreign taxes may be materially different from our estimates, which could result in the need to record additional tax liabilities or potentially reverse previously recorded tax liabilities. Based on our results for fiscal 2026, an assumed one-percentage point increase to our annual effective tax rate would result in an increase in income tax expense of $94 million.
Deferred tax assets represent amounts available to reduce income taxes payable on taxable income in future years. We record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Factors considered in this determination include assessing the adequacy of future expected taxable income from all sources, including reversal of taxable temporary differences, forecasted operating earnings and available tax planning strategies, and considering that most of our income is taxed in the U.S., of which a significant portion qualifies for preferential treatment as FDDEI. Changes in future taxable income (including less of our income qualifying for preferential treatment as FDDEI), tax laws (including changes to the CAMT rules) and other factors may change our determination regarding whether we will be able to realize our deferred tax assets.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Information regarding recent accounting pronouncements and the impact of those pronouncements, if any, on our consolidated financial statements is provided in this Annual Report in “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 1. Significant Accounting Policies.”
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