HomeMarket analysisQualcomm stock forecast: Third-party price targets

Qualcomm stock forecast: Third-party price targets

Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM) is a US semiconductor company whose shares are traded on Nasdaq, with its business spanning mobile chipsets, wireless licensing, automotive technology and computing platforms. Explore QCOM price action, third-party price targets, and technical analysis.
By Dan Mitchell
Qualcomm stock forecast
Photo: Shutterstock.com

Qualcomm Incorporated (QCOM) is trading around $158.25 on 22 January 2026 as of 10:21am UTC, within an intraday range of $153.45–$159.94 on Capital.com’s platform. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Recent trading comes amid Qualcomm’s increased visibility ahead of its upcoming first-quarter fiscal 2026 earnings release, which the company has scheduled for 4 February 2026 (Qualcomm, 21 January 2026), and continued attention on its on-device AI and automotive platforms showcased at CES 2026 (Computer Weekly, 7 January 2026). Broader US equity conditions also frame sentiment, with the Nasdaq Composite recently showing elevated volatility around large-cap technology names (Yahoo Finance, 21 January 2026).

Qualcomm stock forecast 2026–2030: Third-party price targets

As of 22 January 2026, third-party Qualcomm stock predictions indicate a wide range of 12-month expectations, with more recent updates clustering in the mid-$180s and aggregate surveys showing averages just below $190. These figures are typically framed as 12-month targets from the publication date rather than specific year-end levels, and they remain subject to revision as earnings guidance and sector conditions evolve.

Benzinga (consensus snapshot)

Benzinga’s Qualcomm stock review reports that analysts it tracks have a consensus price target of about $191.96 per share, with individual forecasts ranging from $140 to $270 over a 12-month horizon. The piece notes that this wide spread reflects differing views on Qualcomm’s ability to navigate semiconductor cycles and monetise 5G and AI trends amid shifting demand and competitive pressures (Benzinga, 21 December 2025).

Anachart (coverage universe snapshot)

Stock-research aggregator Anachart, in a Qualcomm update, indicates that 16 analysts then covering the stock had an average price target of roughly $182.01, with published targets spanning from $155 to $225. The service notes that these targets sit above the contemporaneous share price and are accompanied by a mix of buy, hold, and sell ratings, reflecting varied views on margins, product cycles, and macroeconomic conditions (Anachart, 21 January 2026).

Public.com (retail-facing consensus)

Retail brokerage Public.com, in a QCOM stock forecast overview, reports that 16 analysts contributed to a consensus view implying a 2026 price prediction of about $185.50 per share, framed as a 12-month expectation. The summary states that this level incorporates assumptions about demand for 5G- and AI-capable devices, as well as the trajectory of Qualcomm’s licensing and chipset businesses amid broader technology-sector dynamics (Public.com, 20 January 2026).

Morgan Stanley (broker research summary)

A Morgan Stanley-linked summary cited by MarketBeat notes that the consensus 12-month Qualcomm price target stands near $191.28 per share, with individual analyst targets ranging from about $160 to $225. The article states that this dispersion reflects differing assumptions around handset demand, licensing trends and margin expectations across Qualcomm’s core smartphone and adjacent businesses, set against the backdrop of a cyclical semiconductor sector (MarketBeat, 19 January 2026).

Long Forecast (calendar‑style projections)

Long Forecasts’ Qualcomm page presents a calendar of projected monthly prices, setting out an average level of about $159 for December 2026, within a range of roughly $146 to $172. The site notes that its projections are derived from proprietary long-term trend modelling, with outcomes spanning both declines and recoveries across the 2026–2027 period (Long Forecast, 20 January 2026).

Predictions and third-party forecasts are inherently uncertain, as they cannot fully account for unexpected market developments. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

QCOM stock price: Technical overview

The QCOM stock price is trading near $158.25 as of 10:21am UTC on 22 January 2026, below a broad daily moving-average cluster, with the 20-, 50-, 100- and 200-day moving averages grouped around approximately $171, $172, $169 and $160 respectively. The 10-day and 20-day simple moving averages near $167 and $171 sit above the current price, while the Hull moving average around $153 marks the nearest faster-moving support zone. The 10-day EMA near $164 also runs above spot, underscoring that QCOM is currently trading below its recent short-term trend range.

Momentum indicators point to subdued conditions, with the 14-day RSI around 32, which places it in the lower-neutral zone rather than at an outright oversold extreme. The ADX near 20 suggests that while a trend is present, it is not strongly established. On the upside, the nearest classic resistance sits around R1 near $181, with R2 near $191 coming into focus only after a sustained daily close back above the pivot region. On pullbacks, the classic pivot at roughly $173 is the first level to monitor on any rebound attempt, followed by the 200-day SMA around $160 as a key medium-term reference. A sustained break below that longer-term average could increase focus on the S1 area in the mid-$160s (TradingView, 22 January 2026).

This technical analysis is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any instrument.

Qualcomm share price history (2024–2026)

QCOM’s stock price has seen pronounced swings over the past two years, moving between sharp rallies and deeper pullbacks as developments in the wider technology sector and AI narrative unfolded. The stock spent much of mid-2024 trading above $200, closing as high as $228.02 on 18 June 2024, before sliding back below $170 by late October as volatility increased and earlier gains were pared back. Into 2025, price action appeared more contained, with QCOM largely holding within the $140–$180 range. It closed 2024 at $153.85 on 31 December and finished 2025 at $171.87, marking a year-on-year rise.

So far in 2026, the picture has been more uneven, with QCOM pushing towards the $182–$183 area in early January before retreating. From a year-earlier close of $171.22 on 22 January 2025, the share price has eased to $158.79 by 22 January 2026, leaving it modestly lower over the 12-month period, despite several interim tests of the high-$170s to low-$180s along the way.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Qualcomm (QCOM): Capital.com analyst view

Qualcomm’s share price over the past two years has reflected shifting sentiment towards large-cap US technology stocks and the broader semiconductor cycle. Periods of optimism around AI, mobility, and connectivity have alternated with pullbacks as valuations, earnings expectations, and macroeconomic assumptions were reassessed. The stock has tended to react to major company-specific developments and sector news, including product and platform announcements in on-device AI, automotive systems, and connectivity, while also remaining sensitive to broader risk appetite, interest-rate expectations, and rotation within US equities.

Looking ahead, market participants following QCOM often focus on how Qualcomm executes across its AI, smartphone, PC, and automotive roadmaps, particularly as the company expands its presence in intelligent devices and software-defined vehicles. At the same time, traders and investors monitor risks linked to competition, regulation, geopolitics, and the inherent cyclicality of the semiconductor industry. Stronger-than-expected uptake of AI-enabled hardware or additional automotive design wins could support sentiment, while weaker global growth, delayed product cycles, or adverse policy developments could weigh on earnings expectations and contribute to periods of downside pressure.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

Capital.com’s client sentiment for Qualcomm CFDs

As of 22 January 2026, Capital.com client positioning in Qualcomm CFDs shows 95.5% buyers versus 4.5% sellers, indicating a heavily one-sided tilt towards long positions and placing buyers ahead by around 91 percentage points. This snapshot reflects open QCOM positions on Capital.com at the time and can change as traders adjust their exposure.

Summary – Qualcomm 2026

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

FAQ

Who owns the most Qualcomm stock?

Qualcomm has a widely distributed shareholder base, with its largest holdings typically held by institutional investors rather than individual shareholders. Major asset managers such as index fund providers, pension funds and mutual fund groups often feature prominently among the top holders, reflecting QCOM’s inclusion in major US equity indices. Insider ownership represents a smaller proportion. Exact ownership percentages can change over time as institutions rebalance portfolios or adjust exposure.

What is the five-year Qualcomm share price forecast?

There is no single, agreed five-year QCOM stock forecast. Most publicly available analyst estimates focus on 12-month horizons and are updated regularly based on earnings results, guidance and sector developments. Longer-term outcomes depend on factors such as smartphone demand, AI and automotive adoption, competitive dynamics and broader economic conditions. As a result, longer-range projections are inherently uncertain and are generally viewed as illustrative rather than predictive.

Is Qualcomm a good stock to buy?

Whether Qualcomm is considered a 'good' stock depends on individual objectives, risk tolerance and market outlook. Analysts often point to its exposure to semiconductors, licensing revenues and emerging areas such as AI and automotive technology, while also noting risks linked to cyclical demand, competition and regulation. Share price performance can vary significantly over time, so assessments typically balance potential opportunities against the possibility of volatility and downside risk.

Could Qualcomm stock go up or down?

Qualcomm’s share price can move both up and down, sometimes sharply, in response to company-specific developments and broader market factors. Earnings results, guidance updates, product announcements and changes in smartphone or semiconductor demand can influence price movements. External factors such as interest-rate expectations, geopolitical developments and shifts in technology-sector sentiment may also affect the stock. As with most equities, price movements are uncertain and not guaranteed in any direction.

Should I invest in Qualcomm stock?

Deciding whether to invest in Qualcomm is a personal decision that depends on your financial situation, time horizon and attitude to risk. Investing in shares involves exposure to market volatility and the potential for losses as well as gains. Many investors consider factors such as diversification, valuation and long-term strategy before making a decision. This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

Can I trade Qualcomm CFDs on Capital.com?

Yes, you can trade Qualcomm CFDs on Capital.com. Trading share CFDs lets you speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset and to take long or short positions. However, contracts for difference (CFDs) are traded on margin, and leverage amplifies both profits and losses. You should ensure you understand how CFD trading works, assess your risk tolerance, and recognise that losses can occur quickly.

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The information provided does not constitute investment advice nor take into account the individual financial circumstances or objectives of any investor. Any information that may be provided relating to past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results or performance.

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