Qualcomm(QCOM) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In fiscal Q3, the company reported revenues of $10.4 billion and non-GAAP earnings per share of $2.77, which was near the high end of the guidance range [5][21] - The licensing business generated revenues of $1.3 billion, while the chipset business delivered revenues of $9 billion, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 11-22% respectively [6][22] - The company returned $3.8 billion to shareholders, including $2.8 billion in stock repurchases and $967 million in dividends [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Handset revenues increased by 7% year-over-year to $6.3 billion, driven by strong demand for premium tier handsets enabled by the Snapdragon 8 Elite platform [22] - IoT revenues grew by 24% year-over-year to $1.7 billion, attributed to increased demand for the Snapdragon AR1 chipset [22] - Automotive revenues reached $984 million, marking a 21% year-over-year increase, driven by content growth in new vehicle launches [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is on track to meet its fiscal 2029 target for combined automotive and IoT revenues of $22 billion, with forecasts indicating a second consecutive year of over 15% year-over-year growth in total QCT non-Apple revenues [6][25] - Snapdragon-based PCs accounted for approximately 9% of Windows laptops sold above the $600 price tier in retail U.S. [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on expanding its presence in AI, automotive, and IoT markets, with a strong emphasis on diversification and growth strategies [6][26] - The acquisition of AlphaWave IP Group is expected to enhance the company's capabilities in data centers and AI, with revenues anticipated to begin in fiscal 2028 [14][15] - The company aims to leverage its technology leadership in mobile, XR, and wearables to become the preferred solution provider in the emerging personal AI devices market [18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the Android ecosystem's leadership in AI and the ongoing demand for Snapdragon platforms across various sectors [7][17] - The company remains focused on maximizing shareholder returns while navigating global trade volatility and strengthening customer relationships [26] - Management highlighted the potential for significant growth in the robotics and autonomous sectors, estimating a total addressable market of $1 trillion over the next decade [19][20] Other Important Information - The company is engaged in advanced discussions with a leading hyperscaler regarding its data center strategy, with a focus on ARM-compatible CPUs and AI inference solutions [31][40] - The Snapdragon digital chassis solutions are gaining traction across the automotive ecosystem, with 12 new designs launched during the quarter [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you speak to the drivers of handset market growth despite lower Apple share? - Management indicated that the growth is driven by new product launches and strong demand for upcoming devices, with no evidence of pull-ins [30] Question: What details can you provide on the data center engagement? - Management stated they are in advanced discussions but could not disclose specifics, emphasizing the relevance of their IP for the data center market [32][33] Question: How do you envision AlphaWave integrating into your portfolio? - Management highlighted the importance of AlphaWave's IP for building custom SoC products and enhancing connectivity capabilities [36][39] Question: What are the implications of the decline in Apple on margins? - Management expressed confidence in maintaining a healthy margin profile, with growth opportunities in automotive and IoT expected to offset any decline from Apple [76]