On February 24, 2026, analyst Gary Mobley from Loop Capital raised the rating on QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) to “Buy,” setting a price target of $185. This optimistic outlook underscores the investment firm’s confidence in QCOM’s potential, signaling a potential upside for investors who are considering the stock amidst its current price of $144.78.
Recent Price Action
QUALCOMM’s stock has shown a notable uptick of 3.11% recently, marking a price change of $4.37. Despite this recent gain, the stock has experienced significant volatility, reflecting broader market movements. The current price stands at $144.78 against a 52-week high of $205.68, representing a negative deviation of 29.7%. The stock also approached its 52-week low of $19.85, which illustrates the steep fluctuations this tech giant has endured over the past year. Trading volume has averaged about 9.4 million shares in the last three months, with the recent session seeing approximately 10.9 million shares traded, indicating robust market interest. QUALCOMM’s beta of 1.238 further suggests that it is more volatile than the overall market, meaning investors could experience larger swings in both directions.
Historical Performance
The broader performance of QUALCOMM over various time frames has been less than stellar. Over the past 30 days, QCOM has seen a decline of 10.6%, while its quarterly performance has dropped by 5.74%. The yearly performance reflects a decrease of 4.56%. Comparatively, weekly volatility has been recorded at 2.28%, while monthly volatility was slightly lower at 2.26%, suggesting that the stock may be settling into a range after a period of heightened uncertainty. With an average volume of nearly 9.7 million shares over the past 10 days, investor sentiment appears mixed, as they assess both the company’s recent earnings and broader market dynamics.
Earnings Analysis
In its latest earnings report, QUALCOMM delivered an earnings per share (EPS) of $3.00, exceeding analysts’ expectations of $2.87 by approximately 4.53%. This positive earnings surprise builds on momentum from the previous quarter, where the company reported an EPS of $2.77, surpassing estimates of $2.71 by 2.21%. Such consistent outperformance could imply that QUALCOMM is demonstrating resilience in its market segment, potentially justifying the upgraded rating from Loop Capital.
Consensus Ratings
The latest consensus ratings for QUALCOMM indicate a clear divide among analysts. With a total of 17 ratings, there are five “Buy,” ten “Hold,” and two “Sell” recommendations. The average price target over the past 90 days stands at $160.35, indicating that there is still a promising upside from the current trading price. Notably, Loop Capital’s revision to a “Buy” rating and aggressive target price of $185 stands out, especially given the company’s average price target, which hints at the potential for further upward momentum if market conditions improve.
Stock Grading and Fundamental View
According to the Stocks Telegraph grading score, QUALCOMM earned a score of 43, reflecting a moderately favorable assessment based on various financial health metrics and market analyses. Although the score indicates some challenges, it does highlight QCOM as a company with enduring strengths in certain areas, such as innovation and sector leadership, particularly in the semiconductor market. Investors should consider these factors when evaluating their investment strategies regarding this stock.
Conclusion
Investors looking at QUALCOMM Incorporated may find it well-suited for a growth-focused portfolio, especially given the company’s enduring innovation and recent positive earnings surprises. While the stock has faced challenges reflected in its historical performance, the recent upgrade to a “Buy” rating by Loop Capital suggests it may be poised for a rebound. Nevertheless, investors should remain cautious due to ongoing volatility and mixed sentiment across analyst recommendations. Monitoring QUALCOMM’s developments could yield opportunities for those seeking exposure in the tech sector, although it is essential to remain attentive to broader economic trends that may impact its trajectory.