New York, January 23, 2026, 15:37 (EST) — Regular session
- Qualcomm shares dropped roughly 1.7% in afternoon trading amid a patchy day for chip stocks
- SEC proxy schedules virtual annual meeting for March 17; proposes boosting incentive-plan reserve by 24 million shares
- The company will release its fiscal Q1 results after market close on Feb. 4, followed by a 1:45 p.m. PT earnings call.
Shares of Qualcomm Incorporated dipped roughly 1.7% to $155.15 in Friday afternoon trading, putting the company’s market cap near $168 billion. The Nasdaq-listed stock fluctuated between $155.06 and $158.10, with around 4.2 million shares traded.
This shift arrives ahead of a packed schedule for the wireless-chip maker, which faces an earnings report in early February and a shareholder vote next month covering compensation and governance issues. Both could reshape views on management’s guidance and the company’s reliance on stock-based compensation.
Qualcomm set its annual meeting for March 17, according to a proxy statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday. The record date for shareholders is Jan. 16. The company’s board is pushing investors to approve an amended long-term incentive plan that would add 24 million shares to the equity awards pool. It also recommended voting against two shareholder proposals, one of which called for a report on risks related to China exposure. CEO Cristiano Amon emphasized, “Your vote is very important to us.” 1
Semiconductor shares showed a mixed picture, with the Philadelphia SE Semiconductor index shedding about 1%, dragged down by Intel’s 17.8% plunge after a disappointing forecast. Nvidia rose, buoyed by reports that Alibaba ordered its H200 AI chips. Investors are also gearing up for the Federal Reserve’s policy decision next week, alongside major tech earnings. “There is a lot more confidence in being able to put money into other areas outside of artificial intelligence,” said Piper Sandler chief investment officer Michael Kantrowitz. 2
Qualcomm announced Wednesday it plans to release its fiscal first-quarter 2026 results after markets close on Feb. 4, posting the details on its investor relations site. The earnings report will also be filed via Form 8-K. A conference call is set for 1:45 p.m. Pacific time, with an audio replay and dial-in available for 30 days. 3
Qualcomm shares rose 0.9% on Thursday, MarketWatch reports, but then slipped on Friday. 4
Proxy-season headlines don’t always shift a stock by themselves. Yet, when companies tweak incentive plans, it can spark investor debate—larger share reserves risk diluting existing holders if more stock gets issued down the line.
Qualcomm finds itself in a market that swiftly adjusts chipmakers’ valuations at the slightest sign of a slowdown. Its business covers mobile chips and patent licensing, sectors under close scrutiny for shifts in device demand and customer habits.
The bigger risk lies in the earnings report. A cautious outlook might overshadow the governance agenda and push the stock down, whereas stronger numbers could refocus attention on demand trends and margins.
QCOM’s earnings drop after the bell on Feb. 4, followed by its annual meeting vote set for March 17. Investors will be keen on any shifts in guidance and how Qualcomm describes demand and licensing trends for fiscal 2026’s remainder.
