What long-term trends emerge from QCOM's EPS history?

Qualcomm's (QCOM) EPS has shown a general upward trend over the long term, with some fluctuations. Here's an analysis of the trends:

1. **Growth Trend**: The EPS of Qualcomm has consistently grown from a low of $0.66 in 2015 to $2.79 in 2024. This indicates a strong upward trajectory in profitability.

|code|Ticker|Name|Date|Diluted EPS YoY|Diluted EPS|market_code|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|QCOM|QCOM.O|Qualcomm|2024 Q2|35.526315789473685|2.06|185|
|QCOM|QCOM.O|Qualcomm|2024 Q3|17.49999999999999|1.88|185|
|QCOM|QCOM.O|Qualcomm|2025 Q1|15.040650406504069|2.83|185|

2. **Stability**: Despite the growth, there has been some volatility, with a few years showing a slight decline or stagnation. For example, EPS decreased from $2.79 in 2018 to $2.12 in 2019. However, it recovered sharply to $2.79 by 2024, suggesting resilience and a ability to bounce back from downturns.
3. **Consistency**: The company has maintained a consistent dividend yield, which is a positive sign for investors. This consistency in dividends, along with the growth in EPS, suggests a stable and profitable business model.
4. **Market Outperformance**: Qualcomm's EPS growth has outpaced the broader market, with the S&P 500 showing a more modest increase over the same period. This indicates that Qualcomm has been a strong performer within its sector.
5. **Future Outlook**: Analysts are optimistic about Qualcomm's future, with a Zacks Rank of #3, which suggests a "hold" rating but with a positive bias. This is due to factors such as its diversification into growing markets like automotive chips and AI-driven processors.

In conclusion, Qualcomm's EPS history shows a strong, growing trend with resilience and consistency, positioning the company well for future prospects.