EX-99.1 2 qcom92715erex991.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Exhibit
                                    
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Qualcomm Contact:
Warren Kneeshaw
Vice President, Investor Relations
Phone: 1-858-658-4813
e-mail: ir@qualcomm.com





Qualcomm Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2015 Results
Fiscal 2015 Revenues $25.3 billion
GAAP EPS $3.22, Non-GAAP EPS $4.66

-Record Fiscal Year QTL Results and $14 Billion Return of Capital to Stockholders-

SAN DIEGO - November 4, 2015 - Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), a leading developer and innovator of advanced wireless technologies, products and services, today announced results for its fiscal fourth quarter and year ended September 27, 2015.

“Our fiscal fourth quarter revenues and EPS were at the high end of our expectations, with stronger-than-expected MSM chipset shipments offsetting slower than expected progress concluding new license agreements in China. We executed a major increase in our capital return program in fiscal 2015, returning a record $14 billion of capital to stockholders,” said Steve Mollenkopf, CEO of Qualcomm Incorporated. “We are encouraged by customer reaction to our flagship Snapdragon 820, are on track to deliver on our fiscal 2016 cost reduction targets and expect to exit fiscal 2016 on an improving financial trajectory.”


GAAP Results
Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2015*
 
Q4 Fiscal 2015
 
Q4 Fiscal 2014
 
Year-Over-Year Change
 
Q3 Fiscal 2015
 
Sequential Change
Revenues 1
$5.5B
 
$6.7B
 
(18%)
 
$5.8B
 
(6%)
Operating income 1
$1.1B
 
$2.0B
 
(43%)
 
$1.2B
 
(8%)
Net income 2
$1.1B
 
$1.9B
 
(44%)
 
$1.2B
 
(10%)
Diluted earnings per share 2
$0.67
 
$1.11
 
(40%)
 
$0.73
 
(8%)
Operating cash flow
$1.7B
 
$1.6B
 
+4%
 
$2.1B
 
(20%)

1 Throughout this news release, revenues, operating expenses, operating income, earnings before tax (EBT) and effective tax rates are from continuing operations (i.e., before adjustments for noncontrolling interests and discontinued operations), unless otherwise stated.
2 Throughout this news release, net income and diluted earnings per share are attributable to Qualcomm (i.e., after adjustments for noncontrolling interests and discontinued operations), unless otherwise stated.





Qualcomm Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2015 Results                     Page 2 of 15


Fiscal 2015*
 
Fiscal
2015
 
Fiscal
2014
 
Year-Over-Year Change
Revenues
$25.3B
 
$26.5B
 
(5%)
Operating income
$5.8B
 
$7.6B
 
(23%)
Net income
$5.3B
 
$8.0B
 
(34%)
Diluted earnings per share
$3.22
 
$4.65
 
(31%)
Operating cash flow
$5.5B
 
$8.9B
 
(38%)

Non-GAAP Results
Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2015*
 
Q4 Fiscal 2015
 
Q4 Fiscal 2014
 
Year-Over-Year Change
 
Q3 Fiscal 2015
 
Sequential Change
Revenues
$5.5B
 
$6.7B
 
(19%)
 
$5.8B
 
(7%)
Operating income
$1.6B
 
$2.3B
 
(30%)
 
$1.7B
 
(5%)
Net income
$1.4B
 
$2.1B
 
(33%)
 
$1.6B
 
(11%)
Diluted earnings per share
$0.91
 
$1.26
 
(28%)
 
$0.99
 
(8%)

Fiscal 2015*
 
Fiscal
2015
 
Fiscal
2014
 
Year-Over-Year Change
Revenues
$25.3B
 
$26.5B
 
(5%)
Operating income
$8.6B
 
$8.9B
 
(4%)
Net income
$7.6B
 
$9.0B
 
(15%)
Diluted earnings per share
$4.66
 
$5.27
 
(12%)
Non-GAAP results exclude the QSI (Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives) segment and certain share-based compensation, acquisition-related items, tax items and other items. Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we changed our methodology for reporting Non-GAAP results to exclude third-party acquisition and integration services costs and certain other items, which may include major restructuring and restructuring-related costs, goodwill and indefinite- and long-lived asset impairment charges and litigation settlements and/or damages. Detailed reconciliations between GAAP and Non-GAAP results are included within this news release.

* The following should be considered in regards to the year-over-year and sequential comparisons:
•
The fiscal 2015 GAAP results included:


Qualcomm Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2015 Results                     Page 3 of 15


◦
$975 million charge, or $0.58 per share, related to the resolution reached with the China National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) regarding its investigation of us under China’s Anti-Monopoly Law in the second quarter of fiscal 2015;
◦
$142 million of charges, or $0.08 per share, that resulted from an impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets related to one of our display businesses in the third quarter of fiscal 2015;
◦
$190 million of charges, or $0.09 per share, that resulted from restructuring and restructuring-related charges related to our Strategic Realignment Plan in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015; and
◦
Operating cash flow also was impacted by the prepayment of $950 million to secure long-term capacity commitments at a supplier of our integrated circuit products in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.
•
The fiscal 2014 Non-GAAP and GAAP results included:
◦
$665 million gain, or $0.25 per share, in discontinued operations associated with the sale of substantially all of the operations of our Omnitracs division in the first quarter of fiscal 2014;
◦
$444 million charge, or $0.20 per share, that resulted from an impairment on long-lived assets related to one of our display businesses in the first quarter of fiscal 2014;
◦
$208 million of income, or $0.12 per share, of which $184 million was recorded in other income, due to the reversal of accruals related to our litigation with ParkerVision in the third quarter of fiscal 2014; and
◦
$164 million of charges, or $0.08 per share, that resulted from an impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets related to one of our display businesses in the third quarter of fiscal 2014.

Key Business Metrics
Fourth Quarter
 
Q4 Fiscal
2015
 
Q4 Fiscal
2014
 
Year-Over-Year Change (1)
 
Q3 Fiscal
2015
 
Sequential Change (1)
MSMTM chip shipments
203M
 
236M
 
(14%)
 
225M
 
(10%)
Total reported device sales (2)
$58.3B
 
$57.4B
 
+2%
 
$60.4B
 
(3%)
Est. reported 3G/4G device shipments (approx.) (2)
276M - 280M
 
256M - 260M
 
+8%
 
289M - 293M
 
(4%)
Est. reported 3G/4G average selling price (approx.) (2)
$207 - $213
 
$220 - $226
 
(6%)
 
$205 - $211
 
+1%
Fiscal 2015
 
Fiscal
2015
 
Fiscal
2014
 
Year-Over-Year Change (1)
MSM chip shipments
932M
 
861M
 
+8%
Total reported device sales (2)
$250.9B
 
$243.6B
 
+3%
Est. reported 3G/4G device shipments (approx.) (2)
1,233M - 1,249M
 
1,077M - 1,093M
 
+14%
Est. reported 3G/4G average selling price (approx.) (2)
$199 - $205
 
$222 - $228
 
(10%)
(1)
The year-over-year and sequential changes for estimated reported 3G/4G device shipments and average selling prices are calculated at the midpoints. The midpoints of the estimated ranges are used for comparison purposes only and do not indicate a higher degree of confidence in the midpoints.
(2)
The fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 and 2015 are based on sales by our licensees in the June quarter as reported to us in the September quarter, and the third quarter of fiscal 2015 is based on sales by our licensees in the March quarter as reported to us in the June quarter. Fiscal 2014 and 2015 are based on sales of our licensees in the September to June quarters as reported to us in the December to September quarters.



Qualcomm Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2015 Results                     Page 4 of 15


Cash and Marketable Securities
Our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $30.9 billion at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, compared to $32.0 billion a year ago and $35.2 billion at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2015. In August 2015, we acquired CSR plc for $2.3 billion in cash, net of cash acquired.

Return of Capital to Stockholders
The following table summarizes stock repurchases and dividends paid during the fourth quarter and fiscal 2015 (in millions, except per-share amounts):

 
Stock Repurchases
 
Dividends
 
Total
 
Shares (1)
 
Amount
 
Per Share
 
Amount
 
Amount
Q4 fiscal 2015
58.0
 
$2,230
 
$0.48
 
$738
 
$2,968
Fiscal 2015
172.4
 
$11,245
 
$1.80
 
$2,880
 
$14,125

(1)
Fourth quarter fiscal 2015 shares repurchased includes 20.5 million shares delivered in August 2015 upon the completion of the accelerated share repurchase agreements, in addition to 37.5 million shares repurchased for $2.2 billion. In fiscal 2015, a total of 78.3 million shares were delivered under the $5.0 billion accelerated share repurchase agreements, in addition to 94.2 million shares repurchased for $6.2 billion.

Our fiscal 2015 return of capital to stockholders of $14.1 billion was a record and increased 98 percent year-over-year. Since September 27, 2015, we repurchased and retired 24.6 million shares of common stock for $1.4 billion. On October 9, 2015, we announced a cash dividend of $0.48 per share payable on December 18, 2015 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 1, 2015.

Effective Income Tax Rates
Our fiscal 2015 annual effective income tax rates were 19 percent for GAAP and 18 percent for Non-GAAP, both of which include the United States federal research and development (R&D) tax credit generated through December 31, 2014, the date on which the credit expired.  The fiscal 2015 GAAP effective tax rate included the impact of the $975 million fine related to the resolution of the NDRC investigation during the second quarter of fiscal 2015, which was not deductible for tax purposes. The effective income tax rates for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 were 15 percent for GAAP and 17 percent for Non-GAAP.

Business Outlook
The following statements are forward looking, and actual results may differ materially. The “Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this news release provides a description of certain risks that we face, and our most recent annual report on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) provides a more complete description of risks.


Qualcomm Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2015 Results                     Page 5 of 15



Our outlook does not include provisions for future asset impairments or for pending legal matters, other than future legal amounts that are probable and estimable. Further, due to their nature, certain income and expense items, such as realized investment and certain derivative gains or losses, cannot be accurately forecast. Accordingly, we only include such items in our financial outlook to the extent they are reasonably certain; however, actual results may differ materially from the outlook. Our outlook includes an estimate of the benefit related to stock repurchases that we plan to complete.

Updating Guidance Practices
We have modified our approach to providing a financial outlook for our business. Beginning with today’s release, we are no longer providing annual revenue and EPS guidance. We will continue to provide quarterly guidance for certain financial and operational metrics, along with commentary on our earnings call on the drivers of our longer-term performance, including our view of industry trends and growth prospects and other key factors that influence our business and operating environment. For fiscal 2016, we will provide certain full-year financial metrics to assist with the transition to our new policy. This approach aligns our practices more closely with our semiconductor and large cap technology peers. Our quarterly executive presentation, which is available on the results section of our investor relations website http://investor.qualcomm.com/results.cfm, also includes the supplementary guidance points we are providing during the transition to this new practice.

The following table summarizes GAAP and Non-GAAP guidance based on the current outlook. The Non-GAAP outlook presented below is consistent with the presentation of Non-GAAP results included elsewhere herein.



Qualcomm Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2015 Results                     Page 6 of 15


Qualcomm’s Business Outlook Summary
FIRST FISCAL QUARTER
 
 
Q1 FY15
Results
Current Guidance
Q1 FY16 Estimates
 
Revenues

$7.1
B
$5.2B - $6.0B

 
Year-over-year change
 
 decrease 15% - 27%

 
Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS)

$1.34

$0.80 - $0.90

 
Year-over-year change
 
decrease 33% - 40%

 
Diluted EPS attributable to QSI (1)

$0.00


$0.28

 
Diluted EPS attributable to share-based compensation

($0.14
)

($0.12
)
 
Diluted EPS attributable to other items (2)

($0.04
)

($0.16
)
 
GAAP diluted EPS

$1.17

$0.80 - $0.90

 
Year-over-year change
 
decrease 23% - 32%

 
Metrics
 
 
 
MSM chip shipments
270
M
225M - 245M

 
Year-over-year change
 
decrease 9% - 17%

 
Total reported device sales* (3)
approx. $56.4B
approx. $50.0B - $58.0B (4)

 
Year-over-year change
 
decrease 11% - increase 3%

 
*Est. sales in September quarter, reported in December quarter
 
 

(1)
Our guidance for diluted EPS attributable to QSI for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 includes earnings per share of $0.25 related to an estimated gain of approximately $380 million associated with completing the sale of our L-Band spectrum in the United Kingdom.
(2)
Our guidance for diluted EPS attributable to other items for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 includes a loss per share of $0.10 for acquisition-related items.
(3)
Total reported device sales is the sum of all reported sales in U.S. dollars (as reported to us by our licensees) of all licensed CDMA-based, OFDMA-based and CDMA/OFDMA multimode subscriber devices (including handsets, modules, modem cards and other subscriber devices) by our licensees during a particular period (collectively, 3G/4G devices). The reported quarterly estimated ranges of average selling prices (ASPs) and unit shipments are determined based on the information as reported to us by our licensees during the relevant period and our own estimates of the selling prices and unit shipments for licensees that do not provide such information.  Not all licensees report sales, selling prices and/or unit shipments the same way (e.g., some licensees report sales net of permitted deductions, including transportation, insurance, packing costs and other items, while other licensees report sales and then identify the amount of permitted deductions in their reports), and the way in which licensees report such information may change from time to time. In addition, certain licensees may not report (in the quarter in which they are contractually obligated to report) their sales of certain types of subscriber units, which (as a result of audits, legal actions or for other reasons) may be reported in a subsequent quarter. Accordingly, total reported device sales, estimated unit shipments and estimated ASPs for a particular period may include prior period activity that was not reported by the licensee until such particular period.
(4)
Our guidance range for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 total reported device sales reflects estimated 3G/4G total reported device sales that we currently expect to be reported to us, which includes an estimate of some prior period activity (i.e., devices shipped in prior periods) that may be reported to us.


Sums may not equal totals due to rounding.



Qualcomm Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2015 Results                     Page 7 of 15


Results of Business Segments
The following table reconciles our Non-GAAP results to our GAAP results ($ in millions, except per share data):
SEGMENTS
QCT
QTL
Non-GAAP Reconciling Items (a)
Non-GAAP
QSI
Share-Based Compensation
Other Items (b) (c) (d)
 
GAAP
Q4 - FISCAL 2015
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$3,625
$1,785
$42
$5,452
 
$4
 

$—


$—

 
$5,456
 
Change from prior year
(25
%)
(1
%)
(13
%)
(19
%)
 
N/M

 
 
 
 
(18
%)
 
Change from prior quarter
(6
%)
(8
%)
(13
%)
(7
%)
 
N/M

 
 
 
 
(6
%)
 
Cost of equipment and services revenues
 
 
 
$2,151
 
$4
 
$9
$88
 
$2,252
 
Research and development
 
 
 
1,202
 
1
 
151
3
 
1,357
 
Selling, general and administrative
 
 
 
482
 
7
 
73
33
 
595
 
Other expenses
 
 
 
—

 
—

 
—

112
 
112
 
Operating income (loss)
 
 
 
$1,617
 
($8)
 
($233)
($236)
 
$1,140
 
Change from prior year
 
 
 
(30
%)
 
N/M

 
8
%
N/M

 
(43
%)
 
Change from prior quarter
 
 
 
(5
%)
 
62
%
 
14
%
(30
%)
 
(8
%)
 
Interest expense
 
 
 
($70)
 

$—

 

$—


$—

 
($70)
 
Investment income, net
 
 
 
$166
(e)
$16
(f)

$—


$—

 
$182
 
EBT
$280
$1,487
($54)
$1,713
 
$8
 
($233)
($236)
 
$1,252
 
Change from prior year
(73
%)
(3
%)
N/M

(33
%)
 
(72
%)
 
8
%
N/M

 
(44
%)
 
Change from prior quarter
(3
%)
(10
%)
N/M

(10
%)
 
N/M

 
14
%
(30
%)
 
(10
%)
 
EBT as % of revenues
8
 %
83
 %
N/M

31
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
23
%
 
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
$1,427
 
$8
 
($188)
($186)
 
$1,061
 
Change from prior year

 
 
(33
%)
 
(71
%)
 
6
%
N/M

 
(44
%)
 
Change from prior quarter

 
 
(11
%)
 
N/M

 
12
%
1
%
 
(10
%)
 
Diluted EPS
 
 
 
$0.91
 
$0.01
 
($0.12)
($0.12)
 
$0.67
 
Change from prior year
 
 
 
(28
%)
 
(50
%)
 
—
%
N/M

 
(40
%)
 
Change from prior quarter
 
 
 
(8
%)
 
N/M

 
8
%
—
%
 
(8
%)
 
Diluted shares
 
 
 
1,573
 
1,573
 
1,573
1,573
 
1,573
 
Q3 - FISCAL 2015
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$3,853
$1,931
$48
$5,832
 

$—

 

$—


$—

 
$5,832
 
Operating income (loss)
 
 
 
1,709
 
(21)
 
(271)
(182)
 
1,235
 
EBT
$289
$1,654
($43)
1,900
 
(49)
 
(271)
(182)
 
1,398
 
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
1,611
 
(26)
 
(213)
(188)
 
1,184
 
Diluted EPS
 
 
 
$0.99
 
($0.02)
 
($0.13)
($0.12)
 
$0.73
 
Diluted shares
 
 
 
1,629
 
1,629
 
1,629
1,629
 
1,629
 
Q4 - FISCAL 2014
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$4,849
$1,795
$48
$6,692
 

$—

 

$—


$—

 
$6,692
 
Operating income (loss)
 
 
 
2,323
 
(3)
 
(252)
(76)
 
1,992
 
EBT
$1,045
$1,536
($30)
2,551
 
29
 
(252)
(76)
 
2,252
 
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
2,143
 
28
 
(199)
(78)
 
1,894
 
Diluted EPS
 
 
 
$1.26
 
$0.02
 
($0.12)
($0.05)
 
$1.11
 
Diluted shares
 
 
 
1,701
 
1,701
 
1,701
1,701
 
1,701
 

(a)
Non-GAAP reconciling items related to revenues consisted primarily of nonreportable segment revenues less intersegment eliminations. Non-GAAP reconciling items related to earnings before taxes consisted primarily of certain research and development expenses, selling, general and administrative expenses, other expenses or income, interest expense and certain investment income that are not allocated to the segments for management reporting purposes; nonreportable segment results; and the elimination of intersegment profit.
(b)
Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we changed our methodology for reporting Non-GAAP results to exclude third-party acquisition and integration services costs and certain other items, which may include major restructuring and restructuring-related costs, goodwill and indefinite- and long-lived asset impairment charges and litigation settlements and/or damages. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, other items excluded from Non-GAAP EBT included $190 million of restructuring and restructuring-related charges related to our Strategic Realignment Plan, $119 million of acquisition-related items and $5 million of other severance costs and asset impairment charges, partially offset by a $78 million gain on the sale of certain assets.
(c)
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, the tax benefit in the “Other Items” column included a $33 million tax benefit for the tax effect of other items in EBT, a $11 million tax benefit for the tax effect of acquisition-related items and a $6 million tax benefit to reconcile the tax provision for each column to the total GAAP tax provision for the quarter. At fiscal year end, the quarterly tax provision (benefit) for each column equals the annual tax provision (benefit) for each column computed in accordance with GAAP. In interim quarters, the sum of these provisions (benefits) may not equal the total GAAP tax provision, and this difference is included in the tax provision (benefit) in the “Other Items” column. In interim quarters of prior fiscal years, this difference was allocated to the tax provisions (benefits) among the columns. See the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Tax Rates to GAAP Tax Rates” herein.
(d)
Details of amounts included in the “Other Items” column for prior periods are included in the news releases for those periods.
(e)
Included $127 million in interest and dividend income and $69 million in net realized gains on investments, partially offset by $29 million in other-than-temporary losses on investments and $1 million in other net investment expense.
(f)
Included $32 million in net realized gains on investments, partially offset by $10 million in other-than-temporary losses on investments and $6 million in equity in losses of investees.



Qualcomm Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2015 Results                     Page 8 of 15


SEGMENTS
QCT
QTL
Non-GAAP Reconciling Items (a)
Non-GAAP
QSI
Share-Based Compensation
Other Items (d) (g) (h)
 
GAAP
12 MONTHS - FISCAL 2015
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$17,154
$7,947
$176
$25,277
 
$4
 

$—


$—

 
$25,281
 
Change from prior year
(8
%)
5
%
(30
%)
(5
%)
 
 
 
 
 
 
(5
%)
 
Cost of equipment and services revenues
 
 
 
$10,060
 
$4
 
$42
$272
 
$10,378
 
Research and development
 
 
 
4,784
 
6
 
659
41
 
5,490
 
Selling, general and administrative
 
 
 
1,864
 
34
 
325
121
 
2,344
 
Other expenses
 
 
 
4
 
—

 
—

1,289
 
1,293
 
Operating income (loss)
 
 
 
$8,565
 
($40)
 
($1,026)
($1,723)
 
$5,776
 
Change from prior year
 
 
 
(4
%)
 
N/M

 
3
%
N/M

 
(23
%)
 
Interest expense
 
 
 
($104)
 

$—

 

$—


$—

 
($104)
 
Investment income, net
 
 
 
$849
(i)
($34)
(j)

$—


$—

 
$815
 
EBT
$2,465
$6,882
($37)
$9,310
 
($74)
 
($1,026)
($1,723)
 
$6,487
 
Change from prior year
(35
%)
4
%
N/M

(8
%)
 
N/M

 
3
%
N/M

 
(26
%)
 
EBT as % of revenues
14
 %
87
%
N/M

37
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
26
 %
 
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
$7,641
 
($44)
 
($836)
($1,490)
 
$5,271
 
Change from prior year
 
 
 
(15
%)
 
N/M

 
2
%
N/M

 
(34
%)
 
Diluted EPS
 
 
 
$4.66
 
($0.03)
 
($0.51)
($0.91)
 
$3.22
 
Change from prior year
 
 
 
(12
%)
 
N/M

 
(2
%)
N/M

 
(31
%)
 
Diluted shares
 
 
 
1,639
 
1,639
 
1,639
1,639
 
1,639
 
12 MONTHS - FISCAL 2014
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$18,665
$7,569
$253
$26,487
 

$—

 

$—


$—

 
$26,487
 
Operating income (loss)
 
 
 
8,933
 
(18)
 
(1,059)
(306)
 
7,550
 
EBT
$3,807
$6,590
($247)
10,150
 
(7)
 
(1,059)
(306)
 
8,778
 
Discontinued operations, net of tax
 
 
 
430
 
—

 
—

—

 
430
 
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
9,032
 
15
 
(856)
(224)
 
7,967
 
Diluted EPS
 
 
 
$5.27
 
$0.01
 
($0.50)
($0.13)
 
$4.65
 
Diluted shares
 
 
 
1,714
 
1,714
 
1,714
1,714
 
1,714
 

(g)
In the fiscal year ended September 27, 2015, other items excluded from Non-GAAP EBT included $975 million related to the resolution reached with the NDRC, $358 million of acquisition-related items, $235 million related to goodwill impairment charges, $190 million of restructuring and restructuring-related charges related to our Strategic Realignment Plan, $48 million of other severance costs and $40 million in asset impairment charges, partially offset by $123 million in gains on the sale of certain assets.
(h)
In the fiscal year ended September 27, 2015, the tax benefit in the “Other Items” column included a $101 million tax benefit related to fiscal 2014 as a result of the retroactive reinstatement of the federal R&D tax credit, a $61 million tax benefit as a result of an agreement reached with the Internal Revenue Service related to Atheros’ pre-acquisition tax returns, a $58 million tax benefit for the tax effect of other items in EBT, a $10 million tax benefit for the tax effect of acquisition-related items and a $3 million tax benefit related to fiscal 2014 as a result of the retroactive reinstatement of other tax laws. See the “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Tax Rates to GAAP Tax Rates” herein.
(i)
Included $524 million in interest and dividend income, $440 million in net realized gains on investments and $4 million in other net investment income, partially offset by $119 million in other-than-temporary losses on investments.
(j)
Included $81 million in other-than-temporary losses on investments and $24 million in equity in losses of investees, partially offset by $60 million in net realized gains on investments and $11 million in other net investment income.

N/M - Not Meaningful
Sums may not equal totals due to rounding.





















Qualcomm Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2015 Results                     Page 9 of 15


Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Tax Rates to GAAP Tax Rates
(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended September 27, 2015
($ in millions)
 
Non-GAAP Results
 
 
QSI
 
 
Share-Based Compensation
 
 
Other Items
 
 
GAAP Results
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
 
$
1,713

 
 
$
8

 
 
$
(233
)
 
 
$
(236
)
 
 
$
1,252

 
Income tax (expense) benefit
 
(286
)
 
 
(1
)
 
 
45

 
 
50

 
 
(192
)
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
1,427

 
 
$
7

 
 
$
(188
)
 
 
$
(186
)
 
 
$
1,060

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax rate
 
17
%
 
 
13
%
 
 
19
%
 
 
21
%
 
 
15
%
 
Year Ended September 27, 2015
($ in millions)
 
Non-GAAP Results
 
 
QSI
 
 
Share-Based Compensation
 
 
Other Items
 
 
GAAP Results
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
 
$
9,310

 
 
$
(74
)
 
 
$
(1,026
)
 
 
$
(1,723
)
 
 
$
6,487

 
Income tax (expense) benefit
 
(1,669
)
 
 
27

 
 
190

 
 
233

 
 
(1,219
)
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
7,641

 
 
$
(47
)
 
 
$
(836
)
 
 
$
(1,490
)
 
 
$
5,268

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax rate
 
18
%
 
 
36
%
 
 
19
%
 
 
14
%
 
 
19
%
 

Conference Call
Qualcomm’s fiscal fourth quarter and fiscal 2015 earnings conference call will be broadcast live on November 4, 2015, beginning at 1:45 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) at http://investor.qualcomm.com/events.cfm. This conference call will include a discussion of “Non-GAAP financial measures” as defined in Regulation G. The most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and information reconciling these Non-GAAP financial measures to the Company’s financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as other financial and statistical information to be discussed on the conference call, will be posted at www.qualcomm.com/investor immediately prior to the commencement of the call. An audio replay will be available at http://investor.qualcomm.com/events.cfm and via telephone following the live call for 30 days thereafter. To listen to the replay via telephone, U.S. callers may dial (855) 859-2056 and international callers may dial (404) 537-3406. Callers should use reservation number 60312462.

Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Non-GAAP financial information presented herein should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. In addition, “Non-GAAP” is not a term defined by GAAP, and as a result, the Company’s measure of Non-GAAP results might be different than similarly titled measures used by other companies. Reconciliations between GAAP and Non-GAAP results are presented herein.

The Company uses the Non-GAAP financial information: (i) to evaluate, assess and benchmark the Company’s operating results on a consistent and comparable basis; (ii) to measure the performance and


Qualcomm Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2015 Results                     Page 10 of 15


efficiency of the Company’s ongoing core operating businesses, including the QCT (Qualcomm CDMA Technologies) and QTL (Qualcomm Technology Licensing) segments; and (iii) to compare the performance and efficiency of these segments against each other and against competitors. Non-GAAP measurements used by the Company include revenues, cost of equipment and services revenues, R&D expenses, SG&A expenses, other expenses, operating income, interest expense, net investment income, income or earnings before income taxes, effective tax rate, net income and diluted earnings per share. The Company is able to assess what it believes is a more meaningful and comparable set of financial performance measures for the Company and its business segments by using Non-GAAP information. In addition, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors uses certain Non-GAAP financial measures in establishing portions of the performance-based incentive compensation programs for our executive officers. The Company presents Non-GAAP financial information to provide greater transparency to investors with respect to its use of such information in financial and operational decision-making. This Non-GAAP financial information also is used by institutional investors and analysts in evaluating our business and assessing trends and future expectations.

Non-GAAP information used by management excludes QSI and certain share-based compensation, acquisition-related items, tax items and other items.
•
QSI is excluded because the Company expects to exit its strategic investments in the foreseeable future, and the effects of fluctuations in the value of such investments and realized gains or losses are viewed by management as unrelated to the Company’s operational performance.
•
Share-based compensation expense primarily relates to restricted stock units. Management believes that excluding non-cash share-based compensation from the Non-GAAP financial information allows management and investors to make additional comparisons of the operating activities of the Company’s ongoing core businesses over time and with respect to other companies.
•
Certain other items are excluded because management views such expenses as unrelated to the operating activities of the Company’s ongoing core businesses, as follows:
•
Acquisition-related items include amortization of certain intangible assets, recognition of the step-up of inventories to fair value and the related tax effects of these items starting with acquisitions completed in the third quarter of fiscal 2011, as well as any tax effects from restructuring the ownership of such acquired assets. Additionally, the Company excludes expenses related to the termination of contracts that limit the use of the acquired intellectual property. Starting in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company excludes third-party


Qualcomm Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2015 Results                     Page 11 of 15


acquisition and integration services costs. Prior year amounts have not been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
•
Starting in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company excludes certain other items that management views as unrelated to the Company’s ongoing business, such as major restructuring and restructuring-related costs, goodwill and indefinite- and long-lived asset impairments and litigation settlements and/or damages. Prior year amounts have not been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.
•
Certain tax items that are unrelated to the fiscal year in which they are recorded are excluded in order to provide a clearer understanding of the Company’s ongoing Non-GAAP tax rate and after tax earnings.

About Qualcomm
Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM) is a world leader in 3G, 4G and next-generation wireless technologies. Qualcomm Incorporated includes Qualcomm’s licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of its patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of Qualcomm’s engineering, research and development functions, and substantially all of its products and services businesses, including its semiconductor business, QCT. For more than 30 years, Qualcomm ideas and inventions have driven the evolution of digital communications, linking people everywhere more closely to information, entertainment and each other. For more information, visit www.qualcomm.com.

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: statements regarding customer reaction to our flagship Snapdragon 820; our being on track to deliver on our fiscal 2016 cost reduction targets; our expectation to exit fiscal 2016 on an improving financial trajectory; our updated guidance practices; our business outlook; and our estimates and guidance related to revenues, GAAP and Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, MSM chip shipments, total reported device sales, 3G/4G device shipments and 3G/4G average selling prices. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by words such as “estimates,” “guidance,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks” and similar expressions. Actual results may differ materially from those referred to in the forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors, including but not limited to: risks associated with commercial network deployments, expansions and upgrades of CDMA, OFDMA and other communications technologies, our customers’ and licensees’ sales of products and services based on these technologies and our ability to drive our customers’ demand for our products and services; competition in an environment of rapid technological change; our dependence on a small number of customers and licensees; attacks on our licensing business model, including current and future legal proceedings or actions of governmental or quasi-governmental bodies or standards or industry organizations; the enforcement and protection of our intellectual property rights; the continued and future


Qualcomm Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2015 Results                     Page 12 of 15


success of our licensing programs; government regulations and policies, or adverse rulings in enforcement or other proceedings; the commercial success of our new technologies, products and services; our dependence on a limited number of third-party suppliers; claims by third parties that we infringe their intellectual property; acquisitions, strategic transactions and investments; the execution of our Strategic Realignment Plan; our stock price and earnings volatility; our indebtedness; our ability to attract and retain qualified employees; foreign currency fluctuations; global economic conditions that impact the mobile communications industry and failures in our products or services or in the products or services of our customers or licensees, including those resulting from security vulnerabilities, defects or errors. These and other risks are set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2015 filed with the SEC. Our reports filed with the SEC are available on our website at www.qualcomm.com. We undertake no obligation to update, or continue to provide information with respect to, any forward-looking statement or risk factor, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

###
Qualcomm, Snapdragon and MSM are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.


Qualcomm Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2015 Results                     Page 13 of 15


Qualcomm Incorporated
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
ASSETS
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
7,560

 
$
7,907

Marketable securities
9,761

 
9,658

Accounts receivable, net
1,964

 
2,412

Inventories
1,492

 
1,458

Deferred tax assets
635

 
577

Other current assets
687

 
401

Total current assets
22,099

 
22,413

Marketable securities
13,626

 
14,457

Deferred tax assets
1,453

 
1,174

Property, plant and equipment, net
2,534

 
2,487

Goodwill
5,479

 
4,488

Other intangible assets, net
3,742

 
2,580

Other assets
1,863

 
975

Total assets
$
50,796

 
$
48,574

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Trade accounts payable
$
1,300

 
$
2,183

Payroll and other benefits related liabilities
861

 
802

Unearned revenues
583

 
785

Short-term debt
1,000

 
—

Other current liabilities
2,356

 
2,243

Total current liabilities
6,100

 
6,013

Unearned revenues
2,496

 
2,967

Long-term debt
9,969

 
—

Other liabilities
817

 
428

Total liabilities
19,382

 
9,408

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Qualcomm stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 8 shares authorized; none outstanding
—

 
—

Common stock and paid-in capital, $0.0001 par value; 6,000 shares authorized; 1,524 and 1,669 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
—

 
7,736

Retained earnings
31,226

 
30,799

Accumulated other comprehensive income
195

 
634

Total Qualcomm stockholders’ equity
31,421

 
39,169

Noncontrolling interests
(7
)
 
(3
)
Total stockholders’ equity
31,414

 
39,166

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
50,796

 
$
48,574




Qualcomm Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2015 Results                     Page 14 of 15


Qualcomm Incorporated
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equipment and services
$
3,619

 
$
4,822

 
$
17,079

 
$
18,625

Licensing
1,837

 
1,870

 
8,202

 
7,862

Total revenues
5,456

 
6,692

 
25,281

 
26,487

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of equipment and services revenues
2,252

 
2,757

 
10,378

 
10,686

Research and development
1,357

 
1,364

 
5,490

 
5,477

Selling, general and administrative
595

 
545

 
2,344

 
2,290

Other
112

 
34

 
1,293

 
484

Total costs and expenses
4,316

 
4,700

 
19,505

 
18,937

Operating income
1,140

 
1,992

 
5,776

 
7,550

Interest expense
(70
)
 
(1
)
 
(104
)
 
(5
)
Investment income, net
182

 
261

 
815

 
1,233

Income from continuing operations before income taxes
1,252

 
2,252

 
6,487

 
8,778

Income tax expense
(192
)
 
(359
)
 
(1,219
)
 
(1,244
)
Income from continuing operations
1,060

 
1,893

 
5,268

 
7,534

Discontinued operations, net of income taxes
—

 
—

 
—

 
430

Net income
1,060

 
1,893

 
5,268

 
7,964

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
1

 
1

 
3

 
3

Net income attributable to Qualcomm
$
1,061

 
$
1,894

 
$
5,271

 
$
7,967

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share attributable to Qualcomm:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.68

 
$
1.13

 
$
3.26

 
$
4.48

Discontinued operations
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.25

Net income
$
0.68

 
$
1.13

 
$
3.26

 
$
4.73

Diluted earnings per share attributable to Qualcomm:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.67

 
$
1.11

 
$
3.22

 
$
4.40

Discontinued operations
—

 
—

 
—

 
0.25

Net income
$
0.67

 
$
1.11

 
$
3.22

 
$
4.65

Shares used in per share calculations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
1,557

 
1,674

 
1,618

 
1,683

Diluted
1,573

 
1,701

 
1,639

 
1,714

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends per share announced
$
0.48

 
$
0.42

 
$
1.80

 
$
1.54




Qualcomm Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2015 Results                     Page 15 of 15


Qualcomm Incorporated
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
 
Twelve Months Ended
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
 
September 27,
2015
 
September 28,
2014
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
1,060

 
$
1,894

 
$
5,268

 
$
7,964

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization expense
326

 
297

 
1,214

 
1,150

Gain on sale of discontinued operations
—

 
—

 
—

 
(665
)
Indefinite and long-lived asset impairment charges
13

 
—

 
317

 
642

Income tax provision (less than) in excess of income tax payments
(112
)
 
54

 
47

 
298

Non-cash portion of share-based compensation expense
233

 
252

 
1,026

 
1,059

Incremental tax benefits from share-based compensation
(5
)
 
(41
)
 
(103
)
 
(280
)
Net realized gains on marketable securities and other investments
(101
)
 
(141
)
 
(500
)
 
(826
)
Impairment losses on marketable securities and other investments
39

 
9

 
200

 
180

Other items, net
14

 
(10
)
 
(16
)
 
(17
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
112

 
(324
)
 
550

 
(281
)
Inventories
215

 
(271
)
 
93

 
(155
)
Other assets
104

 
(28
)
 
(793
)
 
108

Trade accounts payable
(139
)
 
298

 
(908
)
 
619

Payroll, benefits and other liabilities
78

 
(280
)
 
(328
)
 
(617
)
Unearned revenues
(153
)
 
(90
)
 
(561
)
 
(292
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
1,684

 
1,619

 
5,506

 
8,887

Investing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(179
)
 
(230
)
 
(994
)
 
(1,185
)
Purchases of available-for-sale securities
(2,282
)
 
(3,266
)
 
(15,400
)
 
(13,581
)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities
3,183

 
3,843

 
15,080

 
13,587

Purchases of trading securities
(126
)
 
(207
)
 
(1,160
)
 
(3,075
)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of trading securities
650

 
205

 
1,658

 
2,824

Purchases of other marketable securities
—

 
—

 
—

 
(220
)
Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations, net of cash sold
—

 
—

 
—

 
788

Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment
105

 
—

 
266

 
37

Acquisitions and other investments, net of cash acquired
(2,689
)
 
(436
)
 
(2,997
)
 
(883
)
Other items, net
(14
)
 
4

 
(25
)
 
69

Net cash used by investing activities
(1,352
)
 
(87
)
 
(3,572
)
 
(1,639
)
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from short-term debt
1,270

 
—

 
4,083

 
—

Proceeds from long-term debt
—

 
—

 
9,937

 
—

Repayment of short-term debt
(1,269
)
 
—

 
(3,083
)
 
—

Proceeds from issuance of common stock
216

 
292

 
787

 
1,439

Repurchases and retirements of common stock
(2,230
)
 
(1,195
)
 
(11,246
)
 
(4,549
)
Dividends paid
(738
)
 
(702
)
 
(2,880
)
 
(2,586
)
Incremental tax benefits from share-based compensation
5

 
41

 
103

 
280

Other items, net
(3
)
 
1

 
38

 
(64
)
Net cash used by financing activities
(2,749
)
 
(1,563
)
 
(2,261
)
 
(5,480
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(10
)
 
(6
)
 
(20
)
 
(3
)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
(2,427
)
 
(37
)
 
(347
)
 
1,765

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
9,987

 
7,944

 
7,907

 
6,142

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
7,560

 
$
7,907

 
$
7,560

 
$
7,907