QUALCOMM (QCOM) DIvidends Date & History

Key Takeaways

• QUALCOMM (QCOM) offers a trailing dividend yield of approximately 2.11%, with a forward yield around 1.97% based on recent stock price.
• The company pays a quarterly dividend, recently increased to $0.92 per share, annualizing to $3.68.
• 23 consecutive years of dividend increases highlight its status as a reliable dividend growth stock in the semiconductor sector.
• Payout ratio of 38% ensures strong sustainability, well-covered by earnings (EPS $9.31 TTM) and free cash flow ($12.5B+ TTM).
• Recent hikes from $0.85 to $0.89 and now $0.92 demonstrate ongoing commitment to shareholders.
• Next ex-dividend date is June 4, 2026, with payment on June 25, 2026.

Dividend Overview

QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM), a leader in wireless technologies and semiconductors, maintains a consistent quarterly dividend policy. The current trailing annual dividend is $3.56 per share, delivering a yield of 2.11% at recent prices around $186. The forward annual dividend stands at $3.68, reflecting a recent increase to $0.92 quarterly, payable on June 25, 2026, to shareholders of record before the June 4 ex-dividend date. This positions QCOM as a dividend growth stock rather than a high-yield play, balancing shareholder returns with reinvestment in AI, automotive, and mobile chip innovations. With a history of steady payments since 2003, the dividend appeals to investors seeking reliable income in the volatile tech sector.

Dividend History and Growth

QUALCOMM has raised its dividend for 23 consecutive years, evolving from $0.48 quarterly in 2015 to the current $0.92. Key recent increases include a jump from $0.85 to $0.89 in early 2025, followed by a 3.4% hike to $0.92 announced in March 2026, effective post-March. Over the past decade, the annualized growth rate averages around 6-7%, with five-year growth at 6.5%. The company has avoided cuts, maintaining quarterly payments through market cycles. This long-term strategy underscores QCOM's focus on returning capital via dividends and buybacks, supported by robust cash generation from its chipset and licensing businesses.

Dividend Sustainability and Payout Ratio

QUALCOMM's dividend sustainability is robust, with a payout ratio of 38.28% based on trailing twelve-month earnings per share (EPS) of $9.31. This leaves ample room for growth and reinvestment. Free cash flow (FCF) exceeds $12.5 billion TTM, covering annual dividends (around $4 billion across 20+ billion shares outstanding) multiple times over—roughly 27% of FCF. Debt levels are manageable, with a debt-to-equity ratio around 0.7 and $13.7 billion in long-term debt offset by strong liquidity. Earnings growth in AI and edge computing, alongside $20 billion share repurchase authorization, further bolsters confidence in ongoing coverage.

Dividend Compared to Industry Peers

In the semiconductor industry, where the average yield hovers around 0.8-1.5%, QCOM's 2.11% trailing yield stands out as above average. Peers like NVDA (0.02%) and AVGO (~0.6%) prioritize growth over dividends, while TSM (~0.8%) and ADI (~1.1%) offer lower yields. TXN matches closely at ~2%, and INTC provides higher but with greater volatility. QCOM's combination of yield, growth streak, and coverage makes it competitive for income-focused investors in tech.

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Is This Stock Attractive for Dividend Investors?

QUALCOMM (QCOM) suits dividend growth investors who prioritize consistent raises over sky-high yields, given its 23-year streak and mid-single-digit annual increases. Long-term holders in tech may appreciate the blend of 2%+ yield, strong FCF coverage, and exposure to secular trends like 5G, AI edge devices, and automotive semiconductors. Conservative income seekers benefit from the low payout ratio and quarterly cadence, offering predictability amid sector volatility. However, growth-oriented investors might note cyclical risks from smartphone dependence and competition, potentially tempering appeal for pure yield chasers. Balanced portfolios could view QCOM as a defensive tech dividend play with upside from diversification.

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