MSFT vs. QCOM: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at MSFT and QCOM, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | MSFT | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Microsoft Corporation | QUALCOMM Incorporated |
| Country | United States | United States |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Software | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment |
| Market Capitalization | 3,759.10 billion USD | 167.72 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | March 13, 1986 | December 13, 1991 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of MSFT 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | MSFT | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | -3.21% | -1.68% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 10.21% | 1.13% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 23.18% | -9.71% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 19.97% | -10.80% |
| Month-to-Date Return | -5.21% | 5.91% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 19.98% | 1.18% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 20.86M | 6.66M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 20.58M | 8.31M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 15.87% | 27.46% |
| Beta | 1.04 | 1.24 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
MSFT
32.44%
Software Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 21.98%
- Median
- 7.15%
- Q1
- -11.12%
- Min
- -51.24%
In the upper quartile for the Software industry, MSFT’s Return on Equity of 32.44% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
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.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
MSFT
36.15%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
A Net Profit Margin of 36.15% places MSFT in the upper quartile for the Software 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.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
MSFT
45.29%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
An Operating Profit Margin of 45.29% places MSFT in the upper quartile for the Software industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
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.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | MSFT | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 32.44% | 42.85% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 18.20% | 20.96% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 36.15% | 26.77% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 45.29% | 27.54% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 68.82% | 55.68% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
MSFT
1.35
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
MSFT’s Current Ratio of 1.35 aligns with the median group of the Software 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.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
MSFT
0.26
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
MSFT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.26 is typical for the Software industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
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.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
MSFT
891.80
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 891.80, MSFT demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
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.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | MSFT | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 1.35 | 3.19 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.35 | 2.38 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.26 | 0.54 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 891.80 | 38.40 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
MSFT
0.64%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
MSFT’s Dividend Yield of 0.64% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software industry. While this may seem attractive, an unusually high yield can sometimes be a warning sign, reflecting a falling stock price or market concerns about the dividend’s sustainability.
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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
MSFT
23.65%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
At 23.65%, MSFT’s Dividend Payout Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical range for the Software industry. While this provides a significant return to shareholders, it may limit funds for reinvestment and could be difficult to sustain.
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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | MSFT | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.64% | 2.27% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 23.65% | 32.79% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
MSFT
37.23
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
MSFT’s P/E Ratio of 37.23 is within the middle range for the Software 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.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
MSFT
13.46
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
MSFT’s P/S Ratio of 13.46 aligns with the market consensus for the Software 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
MSFT
10.76
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
MSFT’s P/B Ratio of 10.76 is within the conventional range for the Software 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.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | MSFT | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 37.23 | 14.43 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 13.46 | 3.86 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 10.76 | 6.35 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 52.94 | 14.38 |