Return on Equity (ROE)
since 2005
Calculation
Qualcomm Inc., ROE, long-term trends, calculation
| ROE | = | 100 | × | Net income (loss)1 | ÷ | Stockholders’ equity1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 28, 2025 | 26.13% | = | 100 | × | 5,541) | ÷ | 21,206) |
| Sep 29, 2024 | 38.60% | = | 100 | × | 10,142) | ÷ | 26,274) |
| Sep 24, 2023 | 33.51% | = | 100 | × | 7,232) | ÷ | 21,581) |
| Sep 25, 2022 | 71.81% | = | 100 | × | 12,936) | ÷ | 18,013) |
| Sep 26, 2021 | 90.88% | = | 100 | × | 9,043) | ÷ | 9,950) |
| Sep 27, 2020 | 85.54% | = | 100 | × | 5,198) | ÷ | 6,077) |
| Sep 29, 2019 | 89.35% | = | 100 | × | 4,386) | ÷ | 4,909) |
| Sep 30, 2018 | -524.14% | = | 100 | × | (4,864) | ÷ | 928) |
| Sep 24, 2017 | 8.02% | = | 100 | × | 2,466) | ÷ | 30,746) |
| Sep 25, 2016 | 17.95% | = | 100 | × | 5,705) | ÷ | 31,778) |
| Sep 27, 2015 | 16.78% | = | 100 | × | 5,271) | ÷ | 31,421) |
| Sep 28, 2014 | 20.34% | = | 100 | × | 7,967) | ÷ | 39,169) |
| Sep 29, 2013 | 18.99% | = | 100 | × | 6,853) | ÷ | 36,088) |
| Sep 30, 2012 | 18.22% | = | 100 | × | 6,109) | ÷ | 33,523) |
| Sep 25, 2011 | 15.81% | = | 100 | × | 4,260) | ÷ | 26,951) |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 15.57% | = | 100 | × | 3,247) | ÷ | 20,858) |
| Sep 27, 2009 | 7.84% | = | 100 | × | 1,592) | ÷ | 20,316) |
| Sep 28, 2008 | 17.61% | = | 100 | × | 3,160) | ÷ | 17,944) |
| Sep 30, 2007 | 20.86% | = | 100 | × | 3,303) | ÷ | 15,835) |
| Sep 24, 2006 | 18.42% | = | 100 | × | 2,470) | ÷ | 13,406) |
| Sep 25, 2005 | 19.27% | = | 100 | × | 2,143) | ÷ | 11,119) |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-09-26), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-09-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-09-26), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-09-25).
1 US$ in millions
The financial data reveals several notable trends in the company's net income, stockholders’ equity, and return on equity (ROE) over the reported periods.
- Net Income (Loss)
- The net income exhibited a general upward trend from 2005 through 2014, increasing from $2,143 million to a peak of $7,967 million. However, a significant decline occurred in 2015 and 2016, with net income dropping to $5,271 million and $5,705 million respectively. This was followed by a dramatic loss in 2018, where net income turned negative at -$4,864 million, marking the lowest point in the data series. Subsequently, the company recovered, posting positive net income again from 2019 onwards, reaching highs of $12,936 million in 2022 before declining to $5,541 million in 2025. This pattern indicates periods of volatility, with notable fluctuations likely attributable to external or internal events impacting earnings.
- Stockholders’ Equity
- Stockholders’ equity grew steadily from $11,119 million in 2005 to a peak of $39,169 million in 2014. From 2015 onwards, equity declined sharply to $31,421 million in the same year and continued to fluctuate, hitting a significant low of $928 million in 2018, concurrent with the net income loss. Afterward, equity progressively recovered, increasing to $26,274 million by 2024 before a slight decline to $21,206 million by 2025. The equity trend mirrors the net income pattern, suggesting that losses potentially eroded shareholder value during the middle years, but recovery efforts have been somewhat effective.
- Return on Equity (ROE)
- ROE generally aligned with net income trends, starting at 19.27% in 2005 with relative stability and moderate growth through 2014. A striking anomaly occurs in 2018, where ROE plunged dramatically to -524.14%, reflecting the severe loss that year. Subsequent years show extraordinarily high positive ROE percentages, peaking near 90% from 2019 through 2021, indicating efficient use of relatively low equity bases post-loss years to generate income. Nevertheless, these extremely high ROE values might also reflect depressed equity levels rather than solely strong profitability. By 2025, ROE moderated to 26.13%, suggesting a normalization from previous extremes.
In summary, the company experienced substantial growth and profitability up to around 2014, followed by a period of instability marked by losses and reduced equity in 2018. The recovery phase is characterized by increased net income and a rebound in equity levels, alongside volatile but generally improving profitability metrics as reflected in ROE. The data indicates resilience and an ability to restore shareholder value after a significant downturn, although recent years demonstrate some fluctuations that warrant close monitoring.
Comparison to Competitors
Qualcomm Inc., ROE, long-term trends, comparison to competitors
| Qualcomm Inc. | Advanced Micro Devices Inc. | Analog Devices Inc. | Applied Materials Inc. | Broadcom Inc. | Intel Corp. | KLA Corp. | Lam Research Corp. | Micron Technology Inc. | NVIDIA Corp. | Texas Instruments Inc. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 28, 2025 | 26.13% | 6.88% | 6.70% | 34.28% | 28.45% | -0.23% | 86.56% | 54.33% | 15.76% | 91.87% | — |
| Sep 29, 2024 | 38.60% | 2.85% | 4.65% | 37.77% | 8.71% | -18.89% | 82.00% | 44.82% | 1.72% | 69.24% | 28.39% |
| Sep 24, 2023 | 33.51% | 1.53% | 9.32% | 41.94% | 58.70% | 1.60% | 116.01% | 54.94% | -13.22% | 19.76% | 38.53% |
| Sep 25, 2022 | 71.81% | 2.41% | 7.54% | 53.51% | 50.62% | 7.90% | 237.04% | 73.35% | 17.41% | 36.65% | 60.02% |
| Sep 26, 2021 | 90.88% | 42.18% | 3.66% | 48.08% | 26.99% | 20.83% | 61.53% | 64.85% | 13.34% | 25.64% | 58.27% |
| Sep 27, 2020 | 85.54% | 42.66% | 10.17% | 34.21% | 12.40% | 25.79% | 45.65% | 43.53% | 6.89% | 22.91% | 60.90% |
| Sep 29, 2019 | 89.35% | 12.06% | 11.64% | 32.94% | 10.92% | 27.16% | 44.21% | 46.89% | 17.59% | 44.33% | 56.33% |
| Sep 30, 2018 | -524.14% | 26.62% | 13.61% | 48.44% | 45.99% | 28.24% | 49.51% | 36.62% | 43.77% | 40.78% | 62.04% |
| Sep 24, 2017 | 8.02% | 7.04% | 7.16% | 36.73% | 8.34% | 13.91% | 69.82% | 24.90% | 27.33% | 28.91% | 35.62% |
| Sep 25, 2016 | 17.95% | -119.47% | 16.68% | 23.85% | -9.20% | 15.58% | 102.22% | 15.51% | -2.28% | 13.74% | 34.33% |
| Sep 27, 2015 | 16.78% | — | 13.74% | 18.09% | 28.94% | 18.70% | 86.88% | 12.85% | 23.57% | 14.27% | 30.02% |
| Sep 28, 2014 | 20.34% | -215.51% | 13.23% | 13.62% | 8.11% | 20.95% | 15.88% | 12.57% | 28.27% | 9.87% | 27.15% |
| Sep 29, 2013 | 18.99% | -15.26% | 14.21% | 3.61% | 19.13% | 16.51% | 15.60% | 2.54% | 13.02% | 11.65% | 20.01% |
| Sep 30, 2012 | 18.22% | -219.89% | 15.63% | 1.51% | 23.27% | 21.49% | 22.80% | 3.29% | -13.40% | 14.02% | 16.05% |
| Sep 25, 2011 | 15.81% | 30.88% | 22.85% | 21.89% | 27.52% | 28.19% | 27.77% | 29.30% | 1.97% | 7.96% | 20.42% |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 15.57% | 46.50% | 22.25% | 12.44% | 27.57% | 23.19% | 9.45% | 19.61% | 23.07% | -2.55% | 30.93% |
| Sep 27, 2009 | 7.84% | 46.91% | 9.80% | -4.30% | -4.23% | 10.48% | -23.96% | -20.79% | -39.43% | -1.25% | 15.12% |
| Sep 28, 2008 | 17.61% | — | 32.49% | 12.73% | — | 13.54% | 12.04% | 24.70% | -26.21% | 30.47% | 20.59% |
| Sep 30, 2007 | 20.86% | -113.01% | 21.25% | 21.87% | — | 16.31% | 14.88% | 58.30% | -4.13% | 22.36% | 26.64% |
| Sep 24, 2006 | 18.42% | -2.87% | 15.99% | 22.80% | — | 13.72% | 10.66% | 24.05% | 5.03% | 20.76% | 38.21% |
| Sep 25, 2005 | 19.27% | 4.94% | 11.24% | 13.55% | — | 23.95% | 15.33% | 28.06% | 3.22% | 8.52% | 19.47% |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-09-26), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-09-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-09-26), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-09-25).
Comparison to Sector (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment)
Qualcomm Inc., ROE, long-term trends, comparison to sector (semiconductors & semiconductor equipment)
| Qualcomm Inc. | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 28, 2025 | 26.13% | — |
| Sep 29, 2024 | 38.60% | 11.77% |
| Sep 24, 2023 | 33.51% | 13.30% |
| Sep 25, 2022 | 71.81% | 22.70% |
| Sep 26, 2021 | 90.88% | 25.79% |
| Sep 27, 2020 | 85.54% | 24.53% |
| Sep 29, 2019 | 89.35% | 26.83% |
| Sep 30, 2018 | -524.14% | 33.43% |
| Sep 24, 2017 | 8.02% | 16.95% |
| Sep 25, 2016 | 17.95% | 13.42% |
| Sep 27, 2015 | 16.78% | 19.06% |
| Sep 28, 2014 | 20.34% | 19.77% |
| Sep 29, 2013 | 18.99% | 15.77% |
| Sep 30, 2012 | 18.22% | 14.95% |
| Sep 25, 2011 | 15.81% | 21.55% |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 15.57% | 20.99% |
| Sep 27, 2009 | 7.84% | 5.27% |
| Sep 28, 2008 | 17.61% | 10.02% |
| Sep 30, 2007 | 20.86% | 13.62% |
| Sep 24, 2006 | 18.42% | 16.52% |
| Sep 25, 2005 | 19.27% | 18.50% |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-09-26), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-09-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-09-26), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-09-25).
Comparison to Industry (Information Technology)
Qualcomm Inc., ROE, long-term trends, comparison to industry (information technology)
| Qualcomm Inc. | Information Technology | |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 28, 2025 | 26.13% | — |
| Sep 29, 2024 | 38.60% | 29.36% |
| Sep 24, 2023 | 33.51% | 31.85% |
| Sep 25, 2022 | 71.81% | 38.86% |
| Sep 26, 2021 | 90.88% | 42.21% |
| Sep 27, 2020 | 85.54% | 35.67% |
| Sep 29, 2019 | 89.35% | 36.60% |
| Sep 30, 2018 | -524.14% | 30.38% |
| Sep 24, 2017 | 8.02% | 23.40% |
| Sep 25, 2016 | 17.95% | 23.35% |
| Sep 27, 2015 | 16.78% | 26.17% |
| Sep 28, 2014 | 20.34% | 25.61% |
| Sep 29, 2013 | 18.99% | 24.89% |
| Sep 30, 2012 | 18.22% | 26.24% |
| Sep 25, 2011 | 15.81% | 29.22% |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 15.57% | 27.89% |
| Sep 27, 2009 | 7.84% | 20.28% |
| Sep 28, 2008 | 17.61% | 25.67% |
| Sep 30, 2007 | 20.86% | 24.01% |
| Sep 24, 2006 | 18.42% | 22.74% |
| Sep 25, 2005 | 19.27% | 22.11% |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-09-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-09-26), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-09-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-09-25), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-09-26), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-09-27), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-09-28), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-09-24), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-09-25).