Why Qualcomm Is Outperforming NVIDIA After Months of Lagging

Core Viewpoint - Qualcomm Inc. has shown recent outperformance compared to NVIDIA, despite a history of underperformance and missed opportunities, indicating a potential shift in investor sentiment and market dynamics [1][2][5]. Performance Analysis - Qualcomm shares have gained approximately 8% since early August, while NVIDIA has declined by about 5% during the same period, marking a notable shift in performance [2][3]. - The stock has experienced bullish momentum, with shares rising more than 10% since early August, and buyers have consistently stepped in during market dips [3][4]. Valuation and Analyst Sentiment - Analysts from Mizuho and Rosenblatt have reiterated their Buy ratings, emphasizing Qualcomm's growth prospects and valuation discount, suggesting the stock trades as if it is in distress despite healthy fundamentals [6][8]. - Arete Research upgraded Qualcomm's rating from Hold to Strong Buy, setting a price target of $200, indicating a potential upside of about 25% from recent closing prices [7]. Strategic Diversification - Qualcomm is diversifying its revenue streams beyond handsets, with significant growth in the Automotive sector and demand for its Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and in-car compute platforms [9][10]. - The company's industrial and IoT businesses are also scaling steadily, with management expressing confidence in the progress and future contributions of these segments [10]. Market Outlook - Qualcomm's immediate challenge is to maintain its recent performance and consolidate above $160, which could pave the way for further gains [12]. - The overall semiconductor market's health, particularly NVIDIA's performance, will be crucial in determining Qualcomm's ability to sustain its outperformance [12][13].