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FORM vs QCOM
Which Stock Would AI Choose? FormFactor, Inc. (FORM) vs. QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- FORM has surged over 140% YTD, driven by record Q1 FY2026 revenue of $226 million and strong demand for probe cards in high-bandwidth memory (HBM), contrasting with QCOM's more modest 10% YTD gain amid AI and buyback catalysts.
- QCOM boasts superior profitability with 54.8% gross margins and 22% net margins, alongside a lower trailing P/E of 20 versus FORM's 166, reflecting its scale in semiconductors.
- Recent momentum favors FORM with 30-40% monthly gains from earnings beats, while QCOM rallied 10-15% on a $20 billion buyback and AI deals but faces softer guidance.
- Both stocks benefit from semiconductor tailwinds, but FORM's niche in testing advanced chips shows higher growth volatility compared to QCOM's diversified wireless and automotive exposure.
- Analyst targets imply limited upside for both: ~$138 for FORM and ~$169 for QCOM, with FORM trading at a premium valuation.
Introduction
FormFactor, Inc. (FORM) and QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) represent key players in the semiconductor ecosystem, with FORM specializing in testing solutions and QCOM leading in wireless chips and IP licensing. This stock comparison analyzes their recent performance, financial metrics, and market positioning amid booming demand for AI, 5G, and advanced packaging. Traders seeking high-momentum plays may eye FORM's explosive gains, while long-term investors might prefer QCOM's stability and scale. Understanding their relative strengths aids in navigating sector volatility and relative performance trends.
FORM Overview and Recent Performance
FormFactor, Inc. (FORM) designs and manufactures probe cards, analytical probes, and systems for semiconductor testing, serving the full IC lifecycle from design to production. In recent market activity, the stock has delivered exceptional gains, up approximately 160% YTD and over 30% in recent weeks, reflecting strong momentum in the semiconductor equipment space. Q1 FY2026 results showcased record revenue of $226.1 million, a 32% year-over-year increase, with non-GAAP EPS of $0.56 beating estimates by 24%. DRAM revenues hit $82.9 million, fueled by HBM and non-HBM demand. Gross margins expanded to 49%, up 510 basis points sequentially, driven by operational efficiencies and leadership in high-performance compute testing. Analyst upgrades, including targets raised to $155-$165, have bolstered sentiment, though volatility persists with weekly pullbacks amid broader sector rotations. Key influences include AI-driven chip complexity boosting probe card needs.
QCOM Overview and Recent Performance
QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) develops foundational wireless technologies, including 5G modems, processors, and on-device AI via its QCT segment, complemented by QTL licensing. Recent weeks have seen robust gains, with shares up 10% in a single session to around $187, propelled by a $20 billion buyback announcement and hyperscaler AI partnerships. YTD performance stands at about 10%, with 35-49% monthly surges amid positive smartphone recovery signals and automotive growth. Q2 FY2026 revenue reached $10.6 billion, with adjusted EPS of $2.65 meeting high-end guidance, though Q3 outlook slightly missed consensus. Strengths in IoT and record automotive revenues offset handset softness. Profitability shines with 55% gross margins. Sentiment has shifted upward on CEO optimism for data centers and AI, despite mixed analyst holds, supporting steady positioning in a maturing mobile market.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
FORM and QCOM operate in semiconductors but diverge in business models: FORM's equipment focus yields high growth (32% quarterly revenue rise) yet volatile margins (42% gross), while QCOM's integrated design-licensing hybrid delivers scale ($44B+ revenue) and superior profitability (55% gross, 22% net margins). Growth drivers contrast FORM's HBM/AI testing boom against QCOM's diversified 5G, automotive (record revenues), and AI chip wins. Recent momentum tilts to FORM's 160% YTD surge versus QCOM's 10%, but FORM's P/E of 154-166 signals premium pricing versus QCOM's attractive 18-20, with higher debt/equity (56% vs. 3%). Risk factors include FORM's cyclical equipment exposure versus QCOM's licensing stability amid handset risks. Sector-wise, both ride semis tailwinds, but FORM offers purer AI packaging play while QCOM provides broader wireless diversification. Market sentiment favors FORM's catalysts short-term, trading off against QCOM's lower volatility and dividends (2% yield).
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron's AI currently favors FORM due to superior trend consistency in recent weeks, with 30-40% gains from earnings beats and HBM demand outpacing QCOM's steadier but lower momentum. FORM's relative positioning in high-growth testing aligns with AI/semiconductor catalysts, showing higher probabilistic upside despite elevated valuations, while QCOM offers stability via buybacks and diversification.
Disclaimer
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To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is FORM is a StrongBuy and QCOM is a StrongBuy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
FORM’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileQCOM’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- FORM’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- QCOM’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
FORM’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while QCOM’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- FORM’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 3 bearish.
- QCOM’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
FORM (@Electronic Production Equipment) experienced а +19.29% price change this week, while QCOM (@Semiconductors) price change was -1.95% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Production Equipment industry was +17.31%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +9.95%, and the average quarterly price growth was +135.39%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Semiconductors industry was +4.34%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +5.81%, and the average quarterly price growth was +92.59%.
Reported Earning Dates
FORM is expected to report earnings on Aug 05, 2026.
QCOM is expected to report earnings on Aug 05, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronic Production Equipment (+17.31% weekly)The electronic production equipment industry makes equipment used to produce semiconductors. Such equipment includes wafer fabrication, plasma etching and photo-resist processing equipment. The industry also makes chemical vapor deposition processing systems and photomasks, which are high-purity quartz plates that contain patterns to define integrated circuits layouts. Applied Materials, Inc., Lam Research Corporation, and KLA-Tencor Corporation are examples of electronic production equipment manufacturing companies.
@Semiconductors (+4.34% weekly)The semiconductor industry manufacturers all chip-related products, including research and development. These chips are used in innumerable electronic devices, including computers, cell phones, smartphones, and GPSs. Intel Corporation, NVIDIA Corp., and Broadcomm are some of the prominent players in this industry. Semiconductor companies usually tend to do well during periods of healthy economic growth, thereby inducing further research and development in the industry – which in turn augurs well for productivity and growth in the economy. In the near future, demand for semiconductor products (and possibly innovation within the segment) should only expand further, with the proliferation of 5G, autonomous vehicles, IoT, and various AI-driven electronics set to herald a new, advanced chapter in the technology-driven world as we know it. With burgeoning prospects comes great competition. In 2015, SIA estimated that U.S. semiconductor industry ranks as the second most competitive U.S. industry out of 2882 U.S. industries designated manufacturers by the U.S. Census Bureau.
| FORM | QCOM | FORM / QCOM | |
| Capitalization | 10.9B | 223B | 5% |
| EBITDA | 128M | 14B | 1% |
| Gain YTD | 149.570 | 25.031 | 598% |
| P/E Ratio | 160.01 | 22.77 | 703% |
| Revenue | 840M | 44.5B | 2% |
| Total Cash | 303M | 9.8B | 3% |
| Total Debt | 31.9M | 15.3B | 0% |
FORM | QCOM | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 74 | 88 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 79 Overvalued | 45 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 15 | 48 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 82 | 27 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 35 | 40 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 5 | 22 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 14 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
QCOM's Valuation (45) in the Telecommunications Equipment industry is somewhat better than the same rating for FORM (79) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry. This means that QCOM’s stock grew somewhat faster than FORM’s over the last 12 months.
FORM's Profit vs Risk Rating (15) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is somewhat better than the same rating for QCOM (48) in the Telecommunications Equipment industry. This means that FORM’s stock grew somewhat faster than QCOM’s over the last 12 months.
QCOM's SMR Rating (27) in the Telecommunications Equipment industry is somewhat better than the same rating for FORM (82) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry. This means that QCOM’s stock grew somewhat faster than FORM’s over the last 12 months.
FORM's Price Growth Rating (35) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as QCOM (40) in the Telecommunications Equipment industry. This means that FORM’s stock grew similarly to QCOM’s over the last 12 months.
FORM's P/E Growth Rating (5) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as QCOM (22) in the Telecommunications Equipment industry. This means that FORM’s stock grew similarly to QCOM’s over the last 12 months.
| FORM | QCOM | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 79% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 82% | 2 days ago 59% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 75% | 2 days ago 73% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 77% | 2 days ago 73% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 79% | 2 days ago 68% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 81% | 2 days ago 67% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 77% | 2 days ago 65% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 68% | 4 days ago 72% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 90% | 2 days ago 76% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 80% | 2 days ago 64% |
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