Handset Chip Sales Surge 16% Year Over Year
In a fiscal first-quarter report released on Wednesday, Qualcomm outperformed analysts’ expectations, propelled by a robust 16% year-over-year increase in sales of handset chips. While Qualcomm’s shares dipped slightly by more than 1% in extended trading, the company’s positive performance in chip sales marked a notable achievement.
Fiscal Overview and Expectations for the Current Quarter
Qualcomm reported a 24% rise in net income for the quarter, reaching $2.77 billion, or $2.48 per share, compared to $2.24 billion, or $1.98 per share, in the same period the previous year. Despite this impressive result, Qualcomm’s shares experienced a minor decline in after-hours trading.
For the ongoing quarter, Qualcomm anticipates adjusted earnings between $1.73 and $1.93 per share, with a revenue forecast ranging from $8.9 billion to $9.7 billion. These projections fell short of consensus expectations, as reported by LSEG, which estimated earnings at $2.25 per share on revenue of $9.3 billion.
Qualcomm’s Diverse Chip Technology Applications
Widely recognized for its smartphone chip manufacturing, Qualcomm, under CEO Cristiano Amon, has been strategically expanding its chip technology into various markets beyond smartphones. This includes applications in PCs, automobiles, and virtual reality headsets. While the global smartphone market has faced challenges in recent years, Qualcomm remains a significant player.
During the December quarter, the company recorded the shipment of $6.69 billion in handset chips, reflecting a substantial 16% increase from the previous year. The positive momentum in handset chip sales indicates a potential stabilization in the smartphone market after a two-year decline. Qualcomm expressed optimism, expecting global handset sales to remain flat year over year.
Diversification Efforts and Future Prospects
Qualcomm’s efforts to diversify its business beyond smartphones have manifested in its Internet of Things (IoT) segment, which saw a 32% sales decline to $1.13 billion. However, the company remains committed to leveraging its chip technology in the automotive sector, reporting a 31% increase in sales for its nascent automotive business, reaching $589 million.
Its overall chip sales business, encompassing automotive, IoT, and handsets under QCT, achieved $8.42 billion in revenue during the quarter, reflecting a commendable 7% annual growth. The licensing business, QTL, reported $1.46 billion in revenue, experiencing a modest 4% annual decline.
Strategic Outlook and Shareholder Returns
Looking ahead, Qualcomm continues to focus on selling chips to automakers, a strategy expected to unfold over several years due to the industry’s regulatory complexities. The company’s commitment to innovation and growth is underscored by significant investments, including $800 million in share repurchases and $900 million in dividends during the quarter.
In a call with analysts, CEO Cristiano Amon revealed that Apple has agreed to extend its patent licensing agreement through March 2027, highlighting the company’s collaborative partnerships and commitment to long-term business relationships.
