Arm (ARM) vs QUALCOMM (QCOM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Arm (ARM) has outperformed QUALCOMM (QCOM) over the past year, gaining 84.7% versus a gain of 7.0%. Arm is the larger company by market cap ($314.39 billion vs $189.14 billion), about 1.7 times the size. On valuation, QUALCOMM trades at a lower forward P/E (17.4x vs 96.1x for Arm).
QUALCOMM pays a dividend yielding 2.03%, while Arm does not currently pay one. Arm converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 18.4% versus 12.5%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ARM | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $294.37 | $177.12 |
| Market cap | $314.39B | $189.14B |
| 1-day change | -2.71% | -2.16% |
| YTD return | +169.30% | +3.55% |
| 1-year return | +84.74% | +7.05% |
| 5-year return | — | +36.04% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 313.16 | 20.96 |
| Forward P/E | 96.11 | 17.36 |
| EPS (TTM) | $0.94 | $8.45 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 2.03% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $3.59 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $4.92B | $44.28B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +22.79% | +13.66% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $904.00M | $5.54B |
| Gross margin | 97.54% | 55.43% |
| Operating margin | 18.29% | 27.90% |
| Net margin | 18.37% | 12.51% |
| 52-week high | $452.70 | $259.92 |
| 52-week low | $100.02 | $121.99 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -34.97% | -31.86% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | -1.24% | +9.60% |
| Average volume | 5.25M | 12.36M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.07B | 1.07B |
| Employees | 9,584 | 52,000 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Radio And Television Broadcasting And Communications Equipment |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- ARM has outperformed QCOM by 77.7 percentage points over the past year.
- Arm trades at a higher earnings multiple (313.2x vs 21.0x trailing P/E).
- QUALCOMM offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.03% vs 0.00%).
- Arm is more profitable, keeping 18.4 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 12.5 cents for QUALCOMM.
- Arm grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+22.79% vs +13.66%).
About Arm
ARM stock →Arm Holdings plc researches, develops, licenses, and markets central processing unit (CPU) intellectual property (IP), graphics processing unit IP, systems IP, compute subsystems (CSS), and associated software, tools and related services. The company provides a product portfolio, including CPU IP, GPU and neural processing unit (NPU) accelerators, system IP such as interconnects, compute platform products including pre-integrated CSSs, and development tools and software.
Technology · Semiconductors · 9,584 employees
About QUALCOMM
QCOM stock →QUALCOMM Incorporated engages in the development and commercialization of foundational technologies for the wireless industry worldwide. It operates through three segments: Qualcomm CDMA Technologies (QCT); Qualcomm Technology Licensing (QTL); and Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives (QSI).
Technology · Radio And Television Broadcasting And Communications Equipment · 52,000 employees
ARM vs QCOM FAQ
Which is bigger, Arm or QUALCOMM?
Arm (ARM) is larger, with a market capitalization of $314.39B compared with $189.14B for QUALCOMM (QCOM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ARM or QCOM?
ARM returned +84.74% over the past 12 months, compared with +7.05% for QCOM (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ARM or QCOM?
QCOM has the lower trailing P/E at 21.0, versus 313.2 for ARM. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Arm or QUALCOMM?
QUALCOMM pays a dividend yielding 2.03%, while Arm does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Arm and QUALCOMM in the same industry?
Both are in the Technology sector, but in different industries: Semiconductors for Arm and Radio And Television Broadcasting And Communications Equipment for QUALCOMM.