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

Updated on August 27, 2025

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

Company Profile

BABA trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, QCOM is a standard domestic listing.

Symbol	BABA	QCOM
Company Name	Alibaba Group Holding Limited	QUALCOMM Incorporated
Country	Hong Kong	United States
GICS Sector	Consumer Discretionary	Information Technology
GICS Industry	Broadline Retail	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
Market Capitalization	296.47 billion USD	168.78 billion USD
Exchange	NYSE	NasdaqGS
Listing Date	September 19, 2014	December 13, 1991
Security Type	ADR	Common Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of BABA 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.

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

Historical Performance at a Glance

Symbol	BABA	QCOM
5-Day Price Return	3.63%	0.11%
13-Week Price Return	2.36%	6.14%
26-Week Price Return	-1.14%	-10.73%
52-Week Price Return	49.89%	-7.44%
Month-to-Date Return	3.08%	6.58%
Year-to-Date Return	46.66%	1.82%
10-Day Avg. Volume	11.60M	6.59M
3-Month Avg. Volume	13.48M	8.23M
3-Month Volatility	34.81%	27.79%
Beta	0.11	1.24

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

BABA

13.27%

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 49.17%
Q3: 28.98%
Median: 19.22%
Q1: 10.86%
Min: -11.14%

BABA’s Return on Equity of 13.27% is on par with the norm for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

QCOM

42.85%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 52.74%
Q3: 23.49%
Median: 11.60%
Q1: 3.23%
Min: -20.69%

In the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, QCOM’s Return on Equity of 42.85% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

BABA vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

BABA

12.99%

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 19.78%
Q3: 11.90%
Median: 8.63%
Q1: 5.21%
Min: 0.82%

A Net Profit Margin of 12.99% places BABA in the upper quartile for the Broadline Retail industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

QCOM

26.77%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 44.17%
Q3: 22.38%
Median: 11.95%
Q1: 3.21%
Min: -25.16%

A Net Profit Margin of 26.77% places QCOM in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

BABA vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

BABA

14.14%

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 27.23%
Q3: 15.96%
Median: 11.13%
Q1: 8.31%
Min: 1.77%

BABA’s Operating Profit Margin of 14.14% is around the midpoint for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

QCOM

27.54%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 58.03%
Q3: 27.84%
Median: 12.45%
Q1: 5.15%
Min: -28.61%

QCOM’s Operating Profit Margin of 27.54% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

BABA vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	BABA	QCOM
Return on Equity (TTM)	13.27%	42.85%
Return on Assets (TTM)	7.19%	20.96%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	12.99%	26.77%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	14.14%	27.54%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	39.95%	55.68%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

BABA

1.55

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 3.54
Q3: 2.42
Median: 1.49
Q1: 1.22
Min: 0.67

BABA’s Current Ratio of 1.55 aligns with the median group of the Broadline Retail industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

QCOM

3.19

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 8.42
Q3: 4.70
Median: 2.75
Q1: 2.07
Min: 1.04

QCOM’s Current Ratio of 3.19 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

BABA vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Broadline Retail and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

BABA

0.23

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 2.14
Q3: 1.34
Median: 0.63
Q1: 0.27
Min: 0.00

Falling into the lower quartile for the Broadline Retail industry, BABA’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.23 points to a conservative financing strategy. This results in lower financial risk but potentially limits strategic investments compared to more leveraged competitors.

QCOM

0.54

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 1.09
Q3: 0.45
Median: 0.22
Q1: 0.01
Min: 0.00

QCOM’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.54. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

BABA vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Broadline Retail and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

BABA

9.56

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 37.34
Q3: 20.63
Median: 11.28
Q1: 4.22
Min: -19.29

BABA’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 9.56 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Broadline Retail industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

QCOM

38.40

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 174.00
Q3: 81.10
Median: 27.22
Q1: 7.28
Min: -4.26

QCOM’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 38.40 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

BABA vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	BABA	QCOM
Current Ratio (MRQ)	1.55	3.19
Quick Ratio (MRQ)	1.08	2.38
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)	0.23	0.54
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	9.56	38.40

Growth

Revenue Growth

BABA vs. QCOM: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

BABA vs. QCOM: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

BABA

2.79%

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 5.46%
Q3: 2.38%
Median: 0.43%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 2.79%, BABA offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Broadline Retail industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

QCOM

2.27%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 4.16%
Q3: 1.78%
Median: 0.74%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

With a Dividend Yield of 2.27%, QCOM offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.

BABA vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

BABA

103.01%

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 131.17%
Q3: 63.48%
Median: 29.43%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

BABA’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 103.01% is in the upper quartile for the Broadline Retail 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.

QCOM

32.79%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 196.12%
Q3: 87.72%
Median: 26.57%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

QCOM’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 32.79% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

BABA vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	BABA	QCOM
Dividend Yield (TTM)	2.79%	2.27%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	103.01%	32.79%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

BABA

16.04

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 66.12
Q3: 35.17
Median: 16.29
Q1: 10.47
Min: 5.94

BABA’s P/E Ratio of 16.04 is within the middle range for the Broadline Retail 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

14.43

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 109.37
Q3: 57.11
Median: 28.95
Q1: 22.13
Min: 11.14

In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, QCOM’s P/E Ratio of 14.43 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

BABA vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

BABA

2.08

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 5.40
Q3: 3.33
Median: 2.04
Q1: 0.80
Min: 0.16

BABA’s P/S Ratio of 2.08 aligns with the market consensus for the Broadline Retail industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

QCOM

3.86

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 16.09
Q3: 10.10
Median: 4.82
Q1: 2.60
Min: 0.93

QCOM’s P/S Ratio of 3.86 aligns with the market consensus for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

BABA vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Broadline Retail and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

BABA

2.23

Broadline Retail Industry

Max: 9.06
Q3: 5.22
Median: 3.48
Q1: 1.90
Min: 0.74

BABA’s P/B Ratio of 2.23 is within the conventional range for the Broadline Retail 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.

QCOM

6.35

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max: 13.56
Q3: 6.75
Median: 3.68
Q1: 1.89
Min: 0.60

QCOM’s P/B Ratio of 6.35 is within the conventional range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.

BABA vs. QCOM: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Broadline Retail and Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	BABA	QCOM
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)	16.04	14.43
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)	2.08	3.86
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)	2.23	6.35
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)	26.78	14.38