AKAM vs. QCOM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on July 7, 2025

Here’s a clear look at AKAM and QCOM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Overview

QCOM’s market capitalization of 178.11 billion USD is significantly greater than AKAM’s 11.31 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.

QCOM carries a higher beta at 1.26, indicating it’s more sensitive to market moves, while AKAM (beta: 0.77) exhibits greater stability.

Symbol	AKAM	QCOM
Company Name	Akamai Technologies, Inc.	QUALCOMM Incorporated
Country	US	US
Sector	Technology	Technology
Industry	Software - Infrastructure	Semiconductors
CEO	F. Thomson Leighton	Cristiano Renno Amon
Price	79.48 USD	162.21 USD
Market Cap	11.31 billion USD	178.11 billion USD
Beta	0.77	1.26
Exchange	NASDAQ	NASDAQ
IPO Date	October 29, 1999	December 13, 1991
ADR	No	No

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of AKAM and QCOM by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.

Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

AKAM vs. QCOM: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Profitability

Return on Equity

AKAM

9.52%

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 80.61%
Q3: 29.97%
Median: 2.84%
Q1: -8.35%
Min: -56.26%

AKAM’s Return on Equity of 9.52% is on par with the norm for the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

QCOM

41.84%

Semiconductors Industry

Max: 41.84%
Q3: 15.81%
Median: 6.31%
Q1: -5.54%
Min: -30.12%

In the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, QCOM’s Return on Equity of 41.84% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

AKAM vs. QCOM: A comparison of their ROE against their respective Software - Infrastructure and Semiconductors industry benchmarks.

Return on Invested Capital

AKAM

4.40%

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 39.31%
Q3: 11.97%
Median: 1.67%
Q1: -7.10%
Min: -34.29%

AKAM’s Return on Invested Capital of 4.40% is in line with the norm for the Software - Infrastructure industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.

QCOM

23.22%

Semiconductors Industry

Max: 30.91%
Q3: 11.34%
Median: 4.08%
Q1: -2.17%
Min: -19.59%

In the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, QCOM’s Return on Invested Capital of 23.22% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.

AKAM vs. QCOM: A comparison of their ROIC against their respective Software - Infrastructure and Semiconductors industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin

AKAM

11.26%

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 46.46%
Q3: 14.65%
Median: 2.66%
Q1: -7.70%
Min: -35.45%

AKAM’s Net Profit Margin of 11.26% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Software - Infrastructure industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.

QCOM

26.11%

Semiconductors Industry

Max: 51.69%
Q3: 19.67%
Median: 8.56%
Q1: -5.44%
Min: -38.60%

A Net Profit Margin of 26.11% places QCOM in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

AKAM vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin against their respective Software - Infrastructure and Semiconductors industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin

AKAM

12.97%

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 48.51%
Q3: 16.56%
Median: 4.48%
Q1: -6.43%
Min: -40.18%

AKAM’s Operating Profit Margin of 12.97% is around the midpoint for the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

QCOM

27.32%

Semiconductors Industry

Max: 58.03%
Q3: 22.12%
Median: 8.40%
Q1: -3.73%
Min: -36.14%

An Operating Profit Margin of 27.32% places QCOM in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

AKAM vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Operating Margin against their respective Software - Infrastructure and Semiconductors industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	AKAM	QCOM
Return on Equity (TTM)	9.52%	41.84%
Return on Assets (TTM)	4.53%	19.94%
Return on Invested Capital (TTM)	4.40%	23.22%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	11.26%	26.11%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	12.97%	27.32%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	59.07%	55.68%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio

AKAM

1.18

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 3.80
Q3: 2.25
Median: 1.51
Q1: 1.10
Min: 0.23

AKAM’s Current Ratio of 1.18 aligns with the median group of the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

QCOM

2.73

Semiconductors Industry

Max: 9.10
Q3: 5.23
Median: 3.09
Q1: 2.49
Min: 1.02

QCOM’s Current Ratio of 2.73 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

AKAM vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Current Ratio against their respective Software - Infrastructure and Semiconductors industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio

AKAM

1.01

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 2.56
Q3: 1.12
Median: 0.33
Q1: 0.05
Min: 0.00

AKAM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.01 is typical for the Software - Infrastructure industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

QCOM

0.53

Semiconductors Industry

Max: 0.97
Q3: 0.46
Median: 0.21
Q1: 0.05
Min: 0.00

QCOM’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Semiconductors industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.53. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

AKAM vs. QCOM: A comparison of their D/E Ratio against their respective Software - Infrastructure and Semiconductors industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio

AKAM

17.98

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 32.21
Q3: 5.24
Median: 0.95
Q1: -17.99
Min: -50.82

AKAM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 17.98 is in the upper quartile for the Software - Infrastructure industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.

QCOM

22.61

Semiconductors Industry

Max: 36.25
Q3: 29.12
Median: 7.01
Q1: -1.22
Min: -18.18

QCOM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 22.61 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Semiconductors industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

AKAM vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Interest Coverage against their respective Software - Infrastructure and Semiconductors industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	AKAM	QCOM
Current Ratio (TTM)	1.18	2.73
Quick Ratio (TTM)	1.18	2.08
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM)	1.01	0.53
Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM)	0.46	0.26
Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM)	2.78	0.56
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	17.98	22.61

Growth

The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AKAM and QCOM. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.

Revenue Growth

AKAM vs. QCOM: A comparison of their annual year-over-year Revenue Growth.

Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth

AKAM vs. QCOM: A comparison of their annual year-over-year Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth.

Free Cash Flow Growth

AKAM vs. QCOM: A comparison of their annual year-over-year Free Cash Flow Growth.

Dividend

Dividend Yield

AKAM

0.00%

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 4.07%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

AKAM currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

QCOM

2.12%

Semiconductors Industry

Max: 6.48%
Q3: 0.93%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 2.12%, QCOM offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Semiconductors industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

AKAM vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Dividend Yield against their respective Software - Infrastructure and Semiconductors industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio

AKAM

0.00%

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 48.68%
Q3: 0.00%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

AKAM has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

QCOM

34.21%

Semiconductors Industry

Max: 204.29%
Q3: 31.85%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

QCOM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 34.21% is in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.

AKAM vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Payout Ratio against their respective Software - Infrastructure and Semiconductors industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	AKAM	QCOM
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.00%	2.12%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	0.00%	34.21%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio

AKAM

26.17

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 107.77
Q3: 54.40
Median: 28.10
Q1: 18.03
Min: 5.32

AKAM’s P/E Ratio of 26.17 is within the middle range for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.

QCOM

16.22

Semiconductors Industry

Max: 86.15
Q3: 47.38
Median: 27.87
Q1: 18.89
Min: 4.73

In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors industry, QCOM’s P/E Ratio of 16.22 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

AKAM vs. QCOM: A comparison of their P/E Ratio against their respective Software - Infrastructure and Semiconductors industry benchmarks.

Forward P/E to Growth Ratio

AKAM

3.08

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 8.12
Q3: 3.94
Median: 2.13
Q1: 0.94
Min: 0.01

AKAM’s Forward PEG Ratio of 3.08 is within the middle range of its peers in the Software - Infrastructure industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.

QCOM

3.71

Semiconductors Industry

Max: 4.73
Q3: 2.80
Median: 1.11
Q1: 0.68
Min: 0.01

The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Semiconductors industry.

AKAM vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Forward PEG Ratio against their respective Software - Infrastructure and Semiconductors industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio

AKAM

2.81

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 18.25
Q3: 9.05
Median: 4.77
Q1: 2.30
Min: 0.11

AKAM’s P/S Ratio of 2.81 aligns with the market consensus for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

QCOM

4.21

Semiconductors Industry

Max: 21.96
Q3: 10.21
Median: 4.45
Q1: 2.32
Min: 0.48

QCOM’s P/S Ratio of 4.21 aligns with the market consensus for the Semiconductors industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

AKAM vs. QCOM: A comparison of their P/S Ratio against their respective Software - Infrastructure and Semiconductors industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio

AKAM

2.58

Software - Infrastructure Industry

Max: 19.94
Q3: 10.91
Median: 6.33
Q1: 2.95
Min: 0.51

The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Software - Infrastructure industry.

QCOM

6.46

Semiconductors Industry

Max: 13.12
Q3: 6.49
Median: 3.31
Q1: 1.74
Min: 0.23

QCOM’s P/B Ratio of 6.46 is within the conventional range for the Semiconductors industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

AKAM vs. QCOM: A comparison of their P/B Ratio against their respective Software - Infrastructure and Semiconductors industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	AKAM	QCOM
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM)	26.17	16.22
Forward PEG Ratio (TTM)	3.08	3.71
Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM)	2.81	4.21
Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM)	2.58	6.46
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM)	14.33	15.21
EV-to-EBITDA (TTM)	11.70	13.97
EV-to-Sales (TTM)	3.69	4.39