NVIDIA (NVDA) 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
NVIDIA (NVDA) has outperformed QUALCOMM (QCOM) over the past year, gaining 28.3% versus a gain of 7.0%. Over five years, NVDA leads with a +986.2% price change compared with +36.0% for QCOM. NVIDIA is the larger company by market cap ($5.57 trillion vs $187.95 billion), about 29.6 times the size.
On valuation, NVIDIA trades at a lower forward P/E (14.5x vs 17.2x for QUALCOMM). QUALCOMM offers the higher dividend yield (2.04% vs 0.12%). NVIDIA converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 55.6% 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 | NVDA | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $230.48 | $176.01 |
| Market cap | $5.57T | $187.95B |
| 1-day change | -2.94% | -0.63% |
| YTD return | +27.33% | +3.55% |
| 1-year return | +28.33% | +7.05% |
| 5-year return | +986.22% | +36.04% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 29.14 | 20.37 |
| Forward P/E | 14.48 | 17.25 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.91 | $8.64 |
| Dividend yield | 0.12% | 2.04% |
| Annual dividend | $0.28 | $3.59 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $215.94B | $44.28B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +65.47% | +13.66% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $120.07B | $5.54B |
| Gross margin | 71.07% | 55.43% |
| Operating margin | 60.38% | 27.90% |
| Net margin | 55.60% | 12.51% |
| 52-week high | $243.37 | $259.92 |
| 52-week low | $164.27 | $121.99 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -5.30% | -32.28% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +42.62% | +10.29% |
| Average volume | 121.53M | 12.29M |
| Shares outstanding | 24.15B | 1.07B |
| Employees | 42,000 | 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
- NVIDIA is about 29.6 times larger than QUALCOMM by market value ($5.57T vs $187.95B).
- NVDA has outperformed QCOM by 21.3 percentage points over the past year.
- NVIDIA trades at a higher earnings multiple (29.1x vs 20.4x trailing P/E).
- QUALCOMM offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.04% vs 0.12%).
- NVIDIA is more profitable, keeping 55.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 12.5 cents for QUALCOMM.
- NVIDIA grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+65.47% vs +13.66%).
About NVIDIA
NVDA stock →NVIDIA Corporation operates as a data center scale AI infrastructure company in the United States, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Europe, and internationally. It operates through Compute & Networking, and Graphics segments.
Technology · Semiconductors · 42,000 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
NVDA vs QCOM FAQ
Which is bigger, NVIDIA or QUALCOMM?
NVIDIA (NVDA) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.57T compared with $187.95B for QUALCOMM (QCOM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, NVDA or QCOM?
NVDA returned +28.33% 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, NVDA or QCOM?
QCOM has the lower trailing P/E at 20.4, versus 29.1 for NVDA. 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, NVIDIA or QUALCOMM?
QUALCOMM has the higher yield at 2.04%, compared with 0.12% for NVIDIA.
Are NVIDIA and QUALCOMM in the same industry?
Both are in the Technology sector, but in different industries: Semiconductors for NVIDIA and Radio And Television Broadcasting And Communications Equipment for QUALCOMM.