Qualcomm 10-Q 2026-03-29
Filed 2026-04-29. 8 sections, 264K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON
Cover and table of contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
_____________________
FORM 10-Q
_____________________
(Mark one)
| ☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 29, 2026
OR
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to .
Commission File Number 0-19528
QUALCOMM Incorporated
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 95-3685934 | |||||||||||||
| (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||||||||
| 5775 Morehouse Dr., San Diego, California | 92121-1714 | |||||||||||||
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
(858) 587-1121
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||
| Common Stock, $0.0001 par value | QCOM | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ☐ No ☒
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock was 1,054 million at April 27, 2026.
QUALCOMM Incorporated
Form 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended March 29, 2026
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
| QUALCOMM Incorporated | ||||||||||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||||||||
| (In millions, except par value amounts) | ||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) |
| March 29, 2026 | September 28, 2025 | ||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 5,435 | $ | 5,520 | |||||||
| Restricted cash | — | 2,323 | |||||||||
| Marketable securities | 4,364 | 4,635 | |||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | 4,347 | 4,315 | |||||||||
| Inventories | 7,368 | 6,526 | |||||||||
| Other current assets | 1,598 | 2,435 | |||||||||
| Total current assets | 23,112 | 25,754 | |||||||||
| Deferred tax assets | 5,968 | 743 | |||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 5,071 | 4,690 | |||||||||
| Goodwill | 14,251 | 11,358 | |||||||||
| Other intangible assets, net | 1,575 | 1,148 | |||||||||
| Other assets | 7,159 | 6,450 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 57,136 | $ | 50,143 | |||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Trade accounts payable | $ | 2,973 | $ | 2,791 | |||||||
| Payroll and other benefits related liabilities | 1,370 | 1,839 | |||||||||
| Unearned revenues | 323 | 358 | |||||||||
| Short-term debt | 498 | — | |||||||||
| Other current liabilities | 4,603 | 4,156 | |||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 9,767 | 9,144 | |||||||||
| Unearned revenues | 70 | 71 | |||||||||
| Long-term debt | 14,772 | 14,811 | |||||||||
| Other liabilities | 5,249 | 4,911 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities | 29,858 | 28,937 | |||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 5) | |||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | |||||||||||
| Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 8 shares authorized; none outstanding | — | — | |||||||||
| Common stock and paid-in capital, $0.0001 par value; 6,000 shares authorized; 1,059 and 1,074 shares issued and outstanding, respectively | — | — | |||||||||
| Retained earnings | 26,901 | 20,646 | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 377 | 560 | |||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 27,278 | 21,206 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 57,136 | $ | 50,143 |
| See accompanying notes. | ||||||||||||||
| QUALCOMM Incorporated | ||||||||||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS | ||||||||||||||
| (In millions, except per share data) | ||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) |
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equipment and services | $ | 9,060 | $ | 9,359 | $ | 19,526 | $ | 19,301 | |||||||||||||||
| Licensing | 1,539 | 1,620 | 3,325 | 3,348 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 10,599 | 10,979 | 22,851 | 22,649 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | 4,900 | 4,937 | 10,468 | 10,098 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 2,463 | 2,216 | 4,915 | 4,446 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 898 | 706 | 1,763 | 1,430 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 29 | — | 29 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 8,290 | 7,859 | 17,175 | 15,974 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 2,309 | 3,120 | 5,676 | 6,675 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (171) | (163) | (341) | (326) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Investment and other income, net | 94 | 148 | 444 | 391 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 2,232 | 3,105 | 5,779 | 6,740 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit (expense) | 5,138 | (293) | 4,596 | (748) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 7,370 | $ | 2,812 | $ | 10,375 | $ | 5,992 | |||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 6.92 | $ | 2.55 | $ | 9.71 | $ | 5.41 | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 6.88 | $ | 2.52 | $ | 9.65 | $ | 5.36 | |||||||||||||||
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This information should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in “Part I, Item 1” of this Quarterly Report and with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2025 contained in our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
This Quarterly Report (including but not limited to this section titled Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) contains forward-looking statements. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report. Additionally, statements concerning future matters such as our future business, prospects, results of operations or financial condition; research and development or technology investments; new or enhanced products, services or technologies; emerging industries or business models; design wins or product launches; industry, market or technology trends, dynamics or transitions; our expectations regarding future demand or supply conditions; strategic investments or acquisitions, and the anticipated timing or benefits thereof; legal or regulatory matters, including the expected impacts of recently enacted or pending tax or other regulatory changes; U.S./China trade or national security tensions; vertical integration by our customers; competition; annual effective tax rates; and other statements regarding matters that are not historical are also forward-looking statements.
Although forward-looking statements in this Quarterly Report reflect our good faith judgment, such statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known by us. Consequently, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties and actual results and outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in or anticipated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences in results and outcomes include without limitation those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” below, as well as those discussed elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this Quarterly Report. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this Quarterly Report, which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Second Quarter Fiscal 2026 Overview
Revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 were $10.6 billion, a decrease of 3% compared to the year ago quarter, with net income of $7.4 billion, an increase of 162% compared to the year ago quarter. Key items from the second quarter of fiscal 2026 included:
-
QCT revenues decreased by 4% in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to the year ago quarter due to lower handset revenues, partially offset by higher automotive and IoT revenues.
-
QTL revenues increased by 5% in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 compared to the year ago quarter, primarily due to an increase in estimated revenues per unit, which was primarily driven by favorable mix.
-
We recorded a $5.7 billion income tax benefit to release a valuation allowance in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 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.
Our Business and Operating Segments
We develop and commercialize foundational technologies and products used across industries and applications from mobile devices to other areas including automotive and the internet of things (IoT). 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 (Qualcomm CDMA Technologies) semiconductor business and our QTL (Qualcomm Technology Licensing) licensing business. Our QSI (Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives) reportable segment makes strategic investments. We also have nonreportable segments, including QGOV (Qualcomm Government Technologies) and our Data Center business.
Our reportable segments are operated by QUALCOMM Incorporated and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. Substantially all of our products and services businesses, including QCT, and substantially all of our engineering and research
and development functions are operated by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. (QTI), a subsidiary of QUALCOMM Incorporated, and QTI’s subsidiaries. QTL is operated by QUALCOMM Incorporated, which owns the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Neither QTI nor any of its subsidiaries has any right, power or authority to grant any licenses or other rights under or to any patents owned by QUALCOMM Incorporated.
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.
Results of Operations
| Revenues (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | Change | March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equipment and services | $ | 9,060 | $ | 9,359 | $ | (299) | $ | 19,526 | $ | 19,301 | $ | 225 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Licensing | 1,539 | 1,620 | (81) | 3,325 | 3,348 | (23) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 10,599 | $ | 10,979 | $ | (380) | $ | 22,851 | $ | 22,649 | $ | 202 |
Second quarter 2026 vs. 2025
The decrease in revenues in the second quarter fiscal 2026 was primarily due to:
- $393 million in lower equipment and services revenues from our QCT segment
- $143 million in licensing revenues from a settlement of a licensing dispute in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, which was not allocated to our segment results
+ $97 million in higher equipment and services revenues from our Data Center segment, primarily driven by our acquisition of Alphawave in the first quarter of fiscal 2026
+ $63 million in higher licensing revenues from our QTL segment
First six months 2026 vs. 2025
The increase in revenues in the first six months of fiscal 2026 was primarily due to:
+ $135 million in higher equipment and services revenues from our QCT segment
+ $120 million in higher licensing revenues from our QTL segment
+ $94 million in higher equipment and services revenues from our Data Center segment, primarily driven by our acquisition of Alphawave in the first quarter of fiscal 2026
- $143 million in licensing revenues from a settlement of a licensing dispute in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, which was not allocated to our segment results
| Costs and Expenses (in millions, except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | Change | March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of revenues | $ | 4,900 | $ | 4,937 | $ | (37) | $ | 10,468 | $ | 10,098 | $ | 370 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 54 | % | 55 | % | 54 | % | 55 | % |
Second quarter and first six months 2026 vs. 2025
Gross margin percentage decreased in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2026 primarily due to a decrease in QCT gross margin percentage.
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | Change | March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | $ | 2,463 | $ | 2,216 | $ | 247 | $ | 4,915 | $ | 4,446 | $ | 469 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| % of revenues | 23 | % | 20 | % | 22 | % | 20 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Second quarter 2026 vs. 2025
The increase in research and development expenses in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 was primarily due to:
+ $177 million increase driven by higher costs related to the development of wireless and integrated circuit technologies (including investments in key growth and diversification opportunities), primarily driven by an increase in employee-related expenses and lower non-recurring engineering cost reimbursements for product-related development work
+ $83 million increase in share-based compensation expense
First six months 2026 vs. 2025
The increase in research and development expenses in the first six months of fiscal 2026 was primarily due to:
+ $298 million increase driven by higher costs related to the development of wireless and integrated circuit technologies (including investments in key growth and diversification opportunities), primarily driven by an increase in employee-related expenses
+ $168 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.
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | Change | March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | $ | 898 | $ | 706 | $ | 192 | $ | 1,763 | $ | 1,430 | $ | 333 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| % of revenues | 8 | % | 6 | % | 8 | % | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Second quarter 2026 vs. 2025
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 was primarily due to:
+ $72 million increase in share-based compensation expense
+ $44 million increase in acquisition-related expenses
First six months 2026 vs. 2025
The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in the first six months of fiscal 2026 was primarily due to:
+ $123 million increase in share-based compensation expense
+ $84 million increase in acquisition-related expenses
| Interest Expense and Investment and Other Income, Net (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | Change | March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | $ | 171 | $ | 163 | $ | 8 | $ | 341 | $ | 326 | $ | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Investment and other income, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and dividend income | $ | 113 | $ | 167 | $ | (54) | $ | 250 | $ | 336 | $ | (86) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net (losses) gains on marketable securities | (64) | 18 | (82) | (120) | 37 | (157) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net gains (losses) on other investments | 7 | (5) | 12 | 217 | 26 | 191 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net losses on deferred compensation plan assets | (56) | (34) | (22) | (13) | (20) | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment losses on other investments | (12) | (16) | 4 | (23) | (41) | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in net earnings of investees | 44 | 18 | 26 | 83 | 16 | 67 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 62 | — | 62 | 50 | 37 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 94 | $ | 148 | $ | (54) | $ | 444 | $ | 391 | $ | 53 |
Net losses on marketable securities in the second quarter and first six months of fiscal 2026 was primarily driven by the change in fair value of certain of our QSI marketable equity investments.
Net gains on other investments in the first six months of fiscal 2026 was primarily driven by observable price changes on certain of our QSI non-marketable equity investments.
Income Tax Expense (in millions, except percentages)
The following table summarizes the primary factors that caused our income tax provision to differ from the expected income tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate:
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Expected income tax provision at federal statutory tax rate | $ | 469 | $ | 652 | $ | 1,214 | $ | 1,415 | |||||||||||||||
| Benefit of releasing valuation allowance on federal deferred tax assets | (5,724) | — | (5,724) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit from foreign-derived deduction eligible income (FDDEI) | (88) | (300) | (296) | (660) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency loss (gain) related to foreign withholding tax receivable | 63 | (1) | 121 | 165 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Benefit related to the federal research and development tax credit | (26) | (45) | (98) | (119) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Excess tax deficiency (benefit) associated with share-based awards | 11 | (39) | (18) | (77) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 157 | 26 | 205 | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | $ | (5,138) | $ | 293 | $ | (4,596) | $ | 748 | |||||||||||||||
| Effective tax rate | (230 | %) | 9 | % | (80 | %) | 11 | % |
We estimate our annual effective income tax rate to be 40% benefit for fiscal 2026, which is lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate. Additional information regarding our annual effective income tax rate and income tax expense is provided in this Quarterly Report in “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 3. Income Taxes.”
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, tax reform legislation included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) was enacted in the United States. The OBBB included significant corporate tax reforms, including changes to the foreign-derived deduction eligible income (FDDEI) regime and changes allowing domestic research and development (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.
Unrecognized tax benefits were $2.9 billion and $2.7 billion at March 29, 2026 and September 28, 2025, respectively. We believe that it is reasonably possible that our unrecognized tax benefits will change within the next twelve months.
Segment Results
The following should be read in conjunction with our financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 for each reportable segment included in this Quarterly Report in “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 6. Segment Information.”
QCT Segment (in millions, except percentages)
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | Change | March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Handsets | $ | 6,024 | $ | 6,929 | $ | (905) | $ | 13,848 | $ | 14,503 | $ | (655) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Automotive | 1,326 | 959 | 367 | 2,427 | 1,920 | 507 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| IoT (internet of things) | 1,726 | 1,581 | 145 | 3,414 | 3,130 | 284 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues (1) | $ | 9,076 | $ | 9,469 | $ | (393) | $ | 19,689 | $ | 19,553 | $ | 136 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| EBT (2) | $ | 2,465 | $ | 2,857 | $ | (392) | $ | 5,767 | $ | 6,103 | $ | (336) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| EBT as a % of revenues | 27 | % | 30 | % | -3 points | 29 | % | 31 | % | -2 points | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Descriptions of our three QCT revenue streams can be found in this Quarterly Report in “Notes to Condensed 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 $8.9 billion and $9.3 billion in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 and 2025, respectively, and $19.3 billion and $19.2 billion in the first six months of fiscal 2026 and 2025, respectively. QCT revenues mostly relate to sales of our Snapdragon and Dragonwing platforms (which include processors and modems), stand-alone Mobile Data Modems, radio frequency transceiver, power management and wireless connectivity integrated chipsets as well as sales of 4G, 5G sub 6 and 5G millimeter wave RFFE products.
Second quarter 2026 vs. 2025
The decrease in QCT revenues in the second quarter of 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 $191 million in higher shipments primarily from new vehicle launches with our Snapdragon digital cockpit and advanced driver assistance and automated driving (ADAS/AD) products and a $176 million increase in revenues per unit driven by favorable mix and higher average selling prices
+ 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 the second quarter of fiscal 2026 primarily due to:
- higher operating expenses, primarily driven by higher research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses
- lower gross margin, primarily driven by higher product cost, partially offset by higher average selling prices
- lower revenues
First six months 2026 vs. 2025
The increase in QCT revenues in the first six months of fiscal 2026 was primarily due to:
+ higher automotive revenues, due to $328 million in higher shipments primarily from new vehicle launches with our Snapdragon digital cockpit and ADAS/AD products and a $179 million increase in revenues per unit driven by favorable mix and higher average selling prices
+ higher IoT revenues, primarily due to an increase in revenues per unit primarily driven by favorable mix
- 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)
QCT EBT as a percentage of revenues decreased in the first six months of fiscal 2026 primarily due to:
- higher operating expenses, primarily driven by higher research and development and selling, general and administrative expenses
- lower gross margin, primarily driven by higher product cost, partially offset by higher average selling prices
QTL Segment (in millions, except percentages)
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | Change | March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Licensing revenues | $ | 1,382 | $ | 1,319 | $ | 63 | $ | 2,974 | $ | 2,854 | $ | 120 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| EBT | 994 | 929 | 65 | 2,224 | 2,086 | 138 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| EBT as a % of revenues | 72 | % | 70 | % | 2 points | 75 | % | 73 | % | 2 points |
Second quarter 2026 vs. 2025
The increase in QTL licensing revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 was primarily due to an increase in estimated revenues per unit, which was primarily driven by favorable mix.
QTL EBT as a percentage of revenues increased in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 primarily due to higher revenues.
First six months 2026 vs. 2025
The increase in QTL licensing revenues in the first six months of fiscal 2026 was primarily due to an increase in estimated sales of cellular products.
QTL EBT as a percentage of revenues increased in the first six months of fiscal 2026 primarily due to higher revenues.
QSI Segment (in millions)
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | Change | March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| EBT | (30) | 10 | (40) | 149 | 29 | 120 |
Second quarter 2026 vs. 2025
QSI EBT decreased in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 primarily due to net losses from the change in fair value of certain of our marketable equity investments.
First six months 2026 vs. 2025
QSI EBT increased in the first six months of fiscal 2026 primarily due to higher net gains from observable price changes on certain of our non-marketable equity investments and an increase in our share of earnings in equity method investments, partially offset by net losses from the change in fair value of certain of our marketable equity investments.
Looking Forward
We believe that on-device AI and high-performance, low-power computing combined with cellular technology (such as 5G) will continue to drive adoption of certain technologies that are already commonly used in smartphones by industries and applications beyond mobile handsets, such as automotive and IoT. We believe it is important that we remain a leader in such technology development, standardization, intellectual property creation and licensing, and a leading developer and supplier of integrated circuit products in order to sustain and grow our business long-term.
As we look forward to the next several quarters:
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We expect recent 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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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. See “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report, including the Risk Factor titled “We operate in the highly cyclical semiconductor industry, which is subject to significant downturns. We are also susceptible to declines in global, regional and local economic conditions generally. Our stock price and financial results are subject to substantial quarterly and annual fluctuations due to these dynamics, among others.”
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We expect leading process technology nodes to continue to drive product cost increases from certain of our key semiconductor wafer suppliers.
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We expect continued intense competition, including from vertical integration by certain of our customers (for example, Apple and Samsung). In particular, Apple utilizes its own modem (rather than our products) in certain of its smartphones and we expect that Apple will increasingly use its own modem products, rather than our products, in its future devices, which will have a significant negative impact on our QCT revenues, results of operations and cash flows.
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U.S./China trade relations and/or national security protection policies may negatively impact our business, growth prospects and results of operations. See “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report, including the Risk Factor titled “A significant portion of our business is concentrated in China, and the risks of such concentration are exacerbated by U.S./China trade and national security tensions.”
We are also involved in certain legal proceedings, including those described in this Quarterly Report in “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 5. 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.
In addition to the foregoing business and market-based matters, we continue to devote resources to working with and educating participants in the wireless industry and governments as to the benefits of our licensing programs and our extensive technology investments in promoting a highly competitive and innovative wireless industry. However, we expect that certain companies may be dissatisfied with the need to pay reasonable royalties for the use of our technologies and not welcome the success of our licensing programs in enabling new, highly cost-effective competitors to their products. Accordingly, such companies and/or governments or regulators may continue to challenge our business model in various forums throughout the world.
Further discussion of risks related to our business is provided in the section titled “Risk Factors” included in this Quarterly 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. The following tables present selected financial information related to our liquidity at March 29, 2026 and September 28, 2025 and for the first six months of fiscal 2026 and 2025 (in millions):
| March 29, 2026 | September 28, 2025 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (including restricted cash) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 5,435 | $ | 5,520 | $ | (85) | |||||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash (1) | — | 2,323 | (2,323) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Marketable securities | 4,364 | 4,635 | (271) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 9,799 | $ | 12,478 | $ | (2,679) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt (2) | $ | 15,270 | $ | 14,811 | $ | 459 |
(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 Quarterly Report in “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 8. Acquisitions.”
(2) Includes our issued debt which is reported as long-term and $498 million of outstanding commercial paper reported as short-term debt as of March 29, 2026. At March 29, 2026, our credit facility was undrawn.
| Six Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 29, 2026 | March 30, 2025 | Change | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 7,414 | $ | 7,141 | $ | 273 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net cash used by investing activities | (2,222) | (1,960) | (262) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash used by financing activities | (7,575) | (5,789) | (1,786) |
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (including restricted cash). The net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (including restricted cash) for the first six months of fiscal 2026 was primarily due to $5.4 billion in payments to repurchase 34 million shares of our common stock (which includes repurchases that offset share issuances in connection with the acquisition of Alphawave), $1.9 billion in cash dividends paid, $1.2 billion in cash paid for acquisitions and other investments (net of cash acquired), $1.1 billion in capital expenditures and $536 million in payments of tax withholdings related to the vesting of share-based awards, partially offset by cash provided by operating activities and $496 million in net proceeds of commercial paper.
During the first six months of 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. The OBBB includes significant corporate tax reforms, including the permanent reinstatement of deducting domestic research and development expenditures as incurred beginning in fiscal 2026 (under prior law such expenditures were capitalized and amortized over five years). We expect this change will have a favorable effect on our cash flows from operations due to significantly lower cash tax payments.
Net changes in our operating assets and liabilities for the first six months of fiscal 2026 positively impacted our operating cash flows primarily driven by a decrease in other assets primarily due to utilization of prior advanced supply agreement payments, partially offset by an increase in inventory reflecting certain customer demand impacts from memory supply constraints.
Capital Return Program. Our stock repurchase program is 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 Quarterly Report in “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 4. Capital Stock.”
Additional Capital Requirements. Expected working and other capital requirements are described in our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K in “Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” At March 29, 2026, other than for the changes disclosed in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements”, “Looking Forward” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in this Quarterly Report, there have been no other material changes to our expected working and other capital requirements described in our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Further, regulatory authorities in certain jurisdictions have investigated our business practices and instituted proceedings against us and they or other regulatory authorities may do so in the future. Additionally, certain of our direct and indirect customers and licensees have pursued, and they or others may in the future pursue, litigation, arbitration or other strategies against us related to our business. Unfavorable resolutions of one or more of these matters have had and could in the future have a material adverse effect on our business, revenues, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. See “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report.
We believe, based on our current business plan and the facts and factors known by us, our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, our expected cash flow generated from operations and our expected financing activities will satisfy our working and other capital requirements for at least the next 12 months and thereafter for the foreseeable future. See “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report.
Recent Accounting Guidance
Information regarding recent accounting guidance and the impact of such guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements is provided in this Quarterly Report in the “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Update.”
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Financial market risks related to interest rates, equity prices and foreign currency exchange rates are described in our 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K. At March 29, 2026, there have been no material changes to the financial market risks described at September 28, 2025.
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined under Rule 13a-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act, in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Information regarding certain legal proceedings is provided in this Quarterly Report in “Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 5. Commitments and Contingencies.”
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
You should consider each of the following factors in evaluating our business and our prospects, any of which could negatively impact our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, and require significant management time and attention. Further, the risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may also negatively impact our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, and require significant management time and attention. In such cases, the trading price of our common stock could decline. You should also consider the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report in evaluating our business and our prospects, including but not limited to our financial statements and the related notes, and “Part I, Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” References to “and,” “or” and “and/or” should be read to include the others, as appropriate.
Risk Factors Summary:
RISKS RELATED TO OUR OPERATING BUSINESSES
*•*We derive a significant portion of our revenues from a small number of customers and licensees, and particularly from their sale of premium-tier handset devices. If revenues derived from these customers or licensees decrease or the timing of such revenues fluctuates, our business and results of operations could be negatively affected.
*•*Our business, particularly our semiconductor business, may suffer as a result of our customers vertically integrating (i.e., developing their own integrated circuit products).
*•*A significant portion of our business is concentrated in China, and the risks of such concentration are exacerbated by U.S./China trade and national security tensions.
RISKS RELATED TO NEW INITIATIVES
*•*Our growth depends in part on our ability to extend our technologies and products into new and expanded product areas, and industries and applications beyond mobile handsets. Our research, development and other investments in these new and expanded product areas, industries and applications, and related technologies and products, as well as in our existing technologies and products, and new technologies, may not generate operating income or contribute to future results of operations that meet our expectations.
*•*We may engage in acquisitions and other strategic transactions or make investments, or be unable to consummate planned strategic acquisitions, which could adversely affect our results of operations or fail to enhance stockholder value.
RISKS RELATED TO SUPPLY AND MANUFACTURING
*•*We depend on a limited number of third-party suppliers for the procurement, manufacture, assembly and testing of our products manufactured in a fabless production model. If we fail to execute supply strategies that provide supply assurance, technology leadership and reasonable margins, our business and results of operations may be harmed. We are also subject to order and shipment uncertainties that could negatively impact our results of operations.
*•*There are numerous risks associated with the operation and control of our manufacturing facilities, including a higher portion of fixed costs relative to a fabless model; environmental compliance and liability; impacts related to climate change; exposure to natural disasters, health crises, geopolitical conflicts and cyber-attacks; timely supply of equipment and materials; and various manufacturing issues.
RISKS RELATED TO CYBERSECURITY OR MISAPPROPRIATION OF OUR CRITICAL INFORMATION
*•*Our business and operations could suffer in the event of security breaches of our IT systems, or other misappropriation of our technology, intellectual property or other proprietary or confidential information.
RISKS RELATED TO HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
*•*We may not be able to attract or retain qualified employees.
RISKS SPECIFIC TO OUR LICENSING BUSINESS
*•*The continued and future success of our licensing programs requires us to continue to evolve our patent portfolio and to renew or renegotiate license agreements that are expiring.
*•*Efforts by some OEMs to avoid paying fair and reasonable royalties for the use of our intellectual property may require the investment of substantial management time and financial resources and may result in legal decisions or actions by governments, courts, regulators or agencies, Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) or other industry organizations that harm our business.
- Changes in our patent licensing practices, whether due to governmental investigations, legal challenges or otherwise, could adversely impact our business and results of operations.
RISKS RELATED TO REGULATORY AND LEGAL CHALLENGES
*•*Our business may suffer as a result of adverse rulings in governmental investigations or proceedings or other legal proceedings.
RISKS RELATED TO INDUSTRY DYNAMICS AND COMPETITION
*•*Our revenues depend on our customers’ and licensees’ sales of products and services based on cellular and other communications technologies, including 5G, and customer demand for our products based on these technologies.
*•*Our industry is subject to intense competition in an environment of rapid technological change. Our success depends in part on our ability to adapt to such change and compete effectively; and such change and competition could result in decreased demand for our products and technologies or declining average selling prices for our products or those of our customers or licensees.
RISKS RELATED TO PRODUCT DEFECTS OR SECURITY VULNERABILITIES
*•*Failures in our products, or in the products of our customers or licensees, including those resulting from security vulnerabilities, defects or errors, could harm our business.
RISKS RELATED TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
*•*The enforcement and protection of our intellectual property may be expensive, could fail to prevent misappropriation or unauthorized use of our intellectual property, could result in the loss of our ability to enforce one or more patents, and could be adversely affected by changes in patent laws, by laws in certain foreign jurisdictions that may not effectively protect our intellectual property and by ineffective enforcement of laws in such jurisdictions.
*•*Claims by third parties that we infringe their intellectual property could adversely affect our business.
*•*Our use of open source software may harm our business.
GENERAL RISK FACTORS
*•*We operate in the highly cyclical semiconductor industry, which is subject to significant downturns. We are also susceptible to declines in global, regional and local economic conditions generally. Our stock price and financial results are subject to substantial quarterly and annual fluctuations due to these dynamics, among others.
*•*Geopolitical conflicts, natural disasters, pandemics and other health crises, and other factors outside of our control, could significantly disrupt our business.
*•*Our business may suffer due to the impact of, or our failure to comply with, the various existing, new or amended laws, regulations, policies or standards to which we are subject.
*•*There are risks associated with our debt.
*•*Tax liabilities could adversely affect our results of operations.
Risk Factors:
RISKS RELATED TO OUR OPERATING BUSINESSES
We derive a significant portion of our revenues from a small number of customers and licensees, and particularly from their sale of premium-tier handset devices. If revenues derived from these customers or licensees decrease or the timing of such revenues fluctuates, our business and results of operations could be negatively affected.
We derive a significant portion of our revenues from a small number of customers and licensees, and particularly from their sale of premium-tier handset devices, and
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Item 5. OTHER INFORMATION
On March 13, 2026, Ann Chaplin, our EVP, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, adopted a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K) providing for the sale of (i) 50% of the net shares issued to Ms. Chaplin upon the vesting of restricted stock unit awards representing 27,421 shares of our common stock and (ii) 50% of the net shares issued to Ms. Chaplin upon the vesting of performance stock unit awards representing 43,853 shares of our common stock (assuming that such shares underlying performance stock units vest at target amounts), including, in each case, accrued dividend-equivalent shares and excluding any shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the settlement of such awards. The plan is scheduled to terminate on December 31, 2027.
Item 6. EXHIBITS
| Exhibit Number | Exhibit Description | Form | Date of First Filing | Exhibit Number | Filed Herewith | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.1 | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. | 8-K | 3/7/2024 | 3.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.2 | Amended and Restated Bylaws. | 8-K | 12/10/2025 | 3.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.5 | Amended and Restated QUALCOMM Incorporated 2023 Long-Term Incentive Plan. (1) | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 31.1 | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Cristiano R. Amon. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 31.2 | Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Akash Palkhiwala. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 32.1 | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, for Cristiano R. Amon. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 32.2 | Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, for Akash Palkhiwala. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.INS | XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
(1) Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| QUALCOMM Incorporated | |||||
| Dated: April 29, 2026 | /s/ Akash Palkhiwala | ||||
| Akash Palkhiwala | |||||
| Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer |