New York, Jan 29, 2026, 15:22 ET — Regular session
- Qualcomm shares slipped alongside the chip sector in afternoon trading.
- Investors are gearing up for the company’s quarterly update and outlook, set for Feb. 4.
- A fresh 5G patents ranking is shining the spotlight again on Qualcomm’s licensing operations.
Shares of Qualcomm Incorporated slipped roughly 0.8% to $151.44 on Thursday afternoon, having dropped earlier to $149.75. Around 5.1 million shares changed hands.
Investors are gearing up for Qualcomm’s fiscal first-quarter report on Feb. 4, a crucial marker for demand in premium smartphones and the company’s gradual push into automotive and other connected devices. The earnings call is set for 1:45 p.m. PT.
Licensing is back under the spotlight. A fresh ranking of 5G standard-essential patents — those needed to implement 5G and usually licensed on FRAND terms (fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory) — placed Huawei with the largest number of patents. But Qualcomm topped the list when patents were weighted by value. “As 5G licensing moves deeper into industrial, automotive, and infrastructure markets, the financial stakes tied to patent data accuracy continue to rise,” said Tim Pohlmann, director of SEP analytics at LexisNexis Intellectual Property Solutions. Light Reading
Chip stocks saw a mixed-to-lower session. Nvidia dipped around 0.6%, Broadcom slid close to 1.2%, and AMD dropped roughly 1.7%, all reflecting the sector’s subdued momentum.
Analysts remain cautiously optimistic but opinions vary. According to data from Barchart, 31 analysts have Qualcomm pegged as a “Moderate Buy,” with an average price target sitting at $175.38. Barchart.com
Qualcomm previously forecasted revenue between $11.8 billion and $12.6 billion for the quarter, with non-GAAP diluted EPS in the range of $3.30 to $3.50. These non-GAAP numbers strip out certain items; EPS reflects profit per share. In the last quarter, the company posted $11.27 billion in revenue and non-GAAP EPS of $3.00. CEO Cristiano Amon commented, “Our business remains strong as demonstrated by record QCT revenues in fiscal 2025.” SEC
Dividend investors should note another key date. Qualcomm’s website shows the upcoming quarterly dividend at $0.89 per share, payable on March 26 to those on the record as of March 5.
Qualcomm’s annual filing also sounded a cautionary note. A significant chunk of its revenue hinges on a handful of customers and licensees, especially from premium-tier handset sales. The company flagged the risk that some might vertically integrate by designing more chips internally. It further pointed to its vulnerability in China and to fluctuations in demand linked to cellular standards like 5G.
All eyes are on Feb. 4 now. Investors want to see if Qualcomm shifts its outlook or offers fresh insight on handset demand, automotive growth, or how licensing economics hold up as 5G expands beyond smartphones.
