Qualcomm Announces Second Quarter Fiscal 2012 Results

SAN DIEGO, April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq:  QCOM), a leading developer and innovator of advanced wireless technologies, products and services, today announced results for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 ended March 25, 2012.

"I am pleased to report another quarter of record revenues and earnings per share, driven by strong demand for 3G- and 4G-enabled devices across both developed and emerging regions," said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, chairman and CEO of Qualcomm.  "We are excited to see the continued growth of 3G and 4G smartphones, as well as new mobile computing devices.  We are increasing our operating expenses to facilitate additional 28 nanometer supply and to continue to position our industry-leading chipset solutions for the opportunities ahead."

Second Quarter Results (GAAP)

• Revenues: (1) $4.94 billion, up 28 percent year-over-year (y-o-y) and 6 percent sequentially.
• Operating income: (1) $1.51 billion, up 6 percent y-o-y and down 2 percent sequentially.
• Net income: (2) $2.23 billion, up 123 percent y-o-y and 59 percent sequentially.
• Diluted earnings per share: (2) $1.28, up 117 percent y-o-y and 58 percent sequentially. 
• Effective tax rate: (1) 17 percent for the quarter.
• Operating cash flow:  $1.89 billion, up 7 percent y-o-y; 38 percent of revenues.
• Return of capital to stockholders:  $366 million, or $0.215 per share, of cash dividends paid.

(1) The results of FLO TV are presented as discontinued operations, and prior period amounts have been adjusted accordingly. Revenues, operating expenses, operating income, earnings before tax (EBT) and effective tax rates throughout this news release are from continuing operations (i.e., before discontinued operations and the adjustment for noncontrolling interests), unless otherwise stated.

(2) Net income and diluted earnings per share throughout this news release are attributable to Qualcomm (i.e., after discontinued operations and adjustment for noncontrolling interests), unless otherwise stated.

Non-GAAP Second Quarter Results

Non-GAAP results exclude the Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives (QSI) segment, certain share-based compensation, certain acquisition-related items and certain tax items. 

• Revenues:  $4.94 billion, up 28 percent y-o-y and 6 percent sequentially.
• Operating income:  $1.90 billion, up 15 percent y-o-y and 2 percent sequentially.
• Net income:  $1.76 billion, up 21 percent y-o-y and 5 percent sequentially.
• Diluted earnings per share:  $1.01, up 17 percent y-o-y and 4 percent sequentially.  Excludes $0.41 earnings per share attributable to the QSI segment, $0.11 loss per share attributable to certain share-based compensation and $0.03 loss per share attributable to certain acquisition-related items. 
• Effective tax rate:  17 percent for the quarter. 
• Free cash flow (defined as net cash from operating activities less capital expenditures):  $1.81 billion, down 2 percent y-o-y; 37 percent of revenues.

Detailed reconciliations between results reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and Non-GAAP results are included at the end of this news release.  

Note:  The following should be considered with regard to the above results and comparisons -  the second quarter of fiscal 2012 GAAP results included $761 million, net of income taxes, for discontinued operations (as a result of a $1.2 billion gain associated with the sale of substantially all of our 700 MHz spectrum), as compared to a $269 million loss, net of income taxes, for discontinued operations in the second quarter of fiscal 2011.  Additionally, the second quarter of fiscal 2012 GAAP and Non-GAAP results included the results of Qualcomm Atheros, Inc., which was acquired in the third quarter of fiscal 2011.  The second quarter of fiscal 2011 GAAP and Non-GAAP results included $401 million in revenues relating to prior quarters as a result of agreements entered into with two licensees to settle disputes.

Second Quarter Key Business Metrics

• MSM™ chip shipments:  152 million units, up 29 percent y-o-y and down 3 percent sequentially.
• December quarter total reported device sales:  approximately $51.7 billion, up 29 percent y-o-y and 25 percent sequentially.
  • December quarter estimated 3G/4G device shipments:  approximately 239 to 243 million units, at an estimated average selling price of approximately $211 to $217 per unit.   

Cash and Marketable Securities

Our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $26.6 billion at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2012, compared to $22.1 billion a year ago and $22.0 billion at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2012.  During the second quarter of fiscal 2012, we received $1.9 billion in proceeds from the sale of substantially all of our 700 MHz spectrum.  On April 3, 2012, we announced a cash dividend of $0.25 per share payable on June 20, 2012 to stockholders of record as of June 1, 2012.

Research and Development

Non-GAAP research and development (R&D) expenses increased 30 percent y-o-y primarily due to an increase in investments in the development of integrated circuit products (including connectivity products), next-generation technologies and other initiatives to support the acceleration of advanced wireless products and services.  

Selling, General and Administrative

Non-GAAP selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased 13 percent y-o-y primarily due to increases in costs relating to legal matters, employee-related expenses, patent-related expenses and selling and marketing expenses, partially offset by a decrease in charitable donations.  In the second quarter of fiscal 2011, we made a contribution to the Qualcomm Charitable Foundation in connection with the establishment of that entity.  

Effective Income Tax Rates

Our fiscal 2012 effective income tax rates are estimated to be approximately 18 percent for GAAP and approximately 18 to 19 percent for Non-GAAP.  The second quarter effective income tax rates for GAAP and Non-GAAP were both 17 percent, which are lower than the estimated annual effective tax rates, primarily due to changes in our estimates related to certain permanent differences and foreign earnings taxed at rates that are less than the United States federal tax rate.

Qualcomm Strategic Initiatives

The QSI segment makes strategic investments, many of which are in early-stage companies, and holds wireless spectrum.  QSI also includes the discontinued operations of our FLO TV business.  GAAP results for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 included $0.41 earnings per share for the QSI segment.  QSI results for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 included a $1.2 billion gain in discontinued operations, or $0.44 earnings per share, associated with the sale of substantially all of our 700 MHz spectrum, and $81 million in other operating expenses related to a payment made to the Indian government in connection with the issuance of the BWA spectrum license.

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 annual and quarterly reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) provide a more complete description of risks. 

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 business outlook to the extent they are reasonably certain; however, actual results may vary materially from the business outlook.

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

(1)  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 multimode CDMA/OFDMA 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 selling prices net of permitted deductions, such as transportation, insurance and packing costs, while other licensees report selling prices 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.  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.

(2)  FY 2012 guidance for QSI and GAAP includes $0.44 EPS related to a $1.2 billion gain associated with the sale of substantially all of our 700 MHz spectrum, which was recognized in discontinued operations in Q2 FY12 and was excluded from Non-GAAP results.  

(3)  The midpoints of the estimated calendar year ranges are identified for comparison purposes only and do not indicate a higher degree of confidence in the midpoints.

Sums may not equal totals due to rounding.

Results of Business Segments

The following table has been adjusted to reflect discontinued operations (Note 4) (in millions, except per share data):

(1)  Non-GAAP reconciling items related to revenues consist primarily of other nonreportable segment revenues less intersegment eliminations.  Non-GAAP reconciling items related to earnings before taxes consist primarily of certain costs of equipment and services revenues, research and development expenses, sales and marketing expenses, other operating expenses and certain investment income or losses and interest expense that are not allocated to the segments for management reporting purposes; nonreportable segment results; and the elimination of intersegment profit.

(2)  At fiscal year end, the sum of the quarterly tax provisions (benefits) 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 starting in fiscal 2012, this difference is allocated to tax provisions (benefits) among the columns.  In interim quarters of prior years, it was included in QSI because variability in QSI results was considered the primary driver of the difference.

(3)  In addition to our historical practice of excluding acquired in-process research and development expenses, starting with acquisitions completed in the third quarter of fiscal 2011, Non-GAAP results also exclude other items related to acquisitions.  During fiscal 2012, acquisition-related items consisted of amortization of certain intangible assets.

(4)  During fiscal 2011, we shut down the FLO TV business and network.  The results of FLO TV are presented as discontinued operations, and prior period amounts have been adjusted accordingly.

* As adjusted for discontinued operations.

N/M – Not Meaningful

N/A – Not Applicable

Sums may not equal totals due to rounding.

Conference Call

Qualcomm's second quarter of fiscal 2012 earnings conference call will be broadcast live on April 18, 2012, beginning at 1:45 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) on the Investor Relations section of the Company's web site at: www.qualcomm.com.  This conference call will include a discussion of "Non-GAAP financial measures" as that term is 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 the other material financial and statistical information to be discussed in the conference call, will be posted on the Investor Relations section of the Company's web site at www.qualcomm.com immediately prior to commencement of the call.  An audio replay will be available via telephone on April 18, 2012, beginning at approximately 5:30 p.m. PT through May 18, 2012 at 9:00 p.m. PT.  To listen to the replay, U.S. callers may dial (855) 859-2056, and international callers may dial (404) 537-3406.  U.S. and international callers should use reservation number 64261105.  An audio replay of the conference call will also be available on the Investor Relations section of the Company's web site at www.qualcomm.com following the live call.

Editor's Note:  To view the web slides that supplement the conference call, please go to: http://investor.qualcomm.com/results.cfm

Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq:  QCOM) is a world leader in 3G and next-generation mobile technologies.  For more than 25 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 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 presents Non-GAAP financial information that is used by management (i) to evaluate, assess and benchmark the Company's operating results on a consistent and comparable basis; (ii) to measure the performance and efficiency of the Company's ongoing core operating businesses, including the Qualcomm CDMA Technologies, Qualcomm Technology Licensing and Qualcomm Wireless & Internet segments; and (iii) to compare the performance and efficiency of these segments against each other and against competitors outside the Company.  Non-GAAP measurements of the following financial data are used by the Company's management: revenues, R&D expenses, SG&A expenses, other operating expenses, operating income (loss), net investment income (loss), income (loss) before income taxes, effective tax rate, net income (loss), diluted earnings (loss) per share, operating cash flow and free cash flow.  Management 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.  As a result, management compensation decisions and the review of executive compensation by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors focus primarily on Non-GAAP financial measures applicable to the Company and its business segments. 

Non-GAAP information used by management excludes the QSI segment, certain share-based compensation, certain acquisition-related items and certain tax items.  The QSI segment is excluded because the Company expects to exit its strategic investments at various times, 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, other than amounts related to share-based awards granted under a bonus program that may result in the issuance of unrestricted shares of the Company's common stock, is excluded because management has concluded that such expenses should not be considered when assessing operational performance as they are deemed to be unrelated to the operating activities of the Company's ongoing core businesses.  Further, share-based compensation is affected by factors that are subject to change, which may include the Company's stock price, stock market volatility, expected award life, risk-free interest rates and expected dividend payouts in future years.  In addition to its historical practice of excluding acquired in-process research and development expenses from Non-GAAP results, the Company began excluding 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 of restructuring the ownership of such acquired assets.  These certain acquisition-related items are excluded and no longer allocated to the Company's segments because management has concluded that such expenses should not be considered when assessing segment performance as they are deemed to be unrelated to the operating activities of the Company's ongoing core businesses.  In addition, these charges are significantly impacted by the size and timing of acquisitions, potentially obscuring period to period comparisons of the Company's operating businesses.  Certain tax items that were recorded in each fiscal year presented, but that were unrelated to the fiscal year in which they were recorded, are excluded in order to provide a clearer understanding of the Company's ongoing Non-GAAP tax rate and after tax earnings.  However, the Company excludes any benefit resulting from the retroactive extensions of the federal R&D tax credit from Non-GAAP results because the Company does not include the potential extension of the credit in its business outlook due to uncertainty as to whether and when the federal R&D tax credit will be retroactively extended. 

The Company presents free cash flow, defined as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures, to facilitate an understanding of the amount of cash flow generated that is available to grow its business and to create long-term stockholder value.  The Company believes that this presentation is useful in evaluating its operating performance and financial strength.  In addition, management uses this measure to evaluate the Company's performance, to value the Company and to compare its operating performance with other companies in the industry. 

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 anticipated growth for 3G and 4G smartphones and new mobile computing devices, increasing operating expenses, the Company's business outlook, and estimates and guidance related to financial performance, effective income tax rates, MSM chip shipments, device shipments, device sales and device average selling prices.  Forward-looking statements are generally identified by words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "guidance" 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 the commercial deployment of, and demand for, our technologies in communications products and services; the uncertainty of global economic conditions and their potential impacts on demand for our products, services or applications and on the value of our marketable securities; competition; our dependence on a small number of customers and licensees; attacks on our licensing business model, including results of current and future litigation and arbitration proceedings, as well as actions of governmental or quasi-governmental bodies, and the costs we incur in connection therewith, including potentially damaged relationships with customers and operators who may be impacted by the results of these proceedings; our dependence on third-party suppliers, including the potential impact of supply constraints; the commercial success of our QMT division's IMOD display technology; foreign currency fluctuations; strategic investments and transactions we have or may pursue, including our investment in the BWA spectrum in India; and failures and defects or errors in our products and services or in the products of our customers.  These and other risks are set forth in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 25, 2011 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 25, 2012 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 and MSM are registered trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries.  All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

(a)  During the second quarter of fiscal 2012, acquisition-related items consisted of amortization of certain intangible assets.

(b)  QSI results for the second quarter of fiscal 2012 included $81 million in other operating expenses associated with a payment made to the Indian government in connection with the issuance of the BWA spectrum license.

(c)  Included $138 million in interest and dividend income related to cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, which were not part of our strategic investments, $81 million in net realized gains on investments and $26 million in gains on derivatives (primarily due to gains from put options sold as part of our stock repurchase program), partially offset by $12 million in other-than-temporary losses on investments and $3 million in interest expense.

(d)  Included $26 million in interest expense, $12 million in other-than-temporary losses on investments and $2 million of equity in losses of investees, partially offset by $20 million in net realized gains on investments, $8 million in interest and dividend income related to cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and $2 million in gains on derivatives.

(e)  Free cash flow is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures.  Reconciliation of these amounts is included in the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Free Cash Flows to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities (GAAP) and Other Supplemental Disclosures" for the three months ended March 25, 2012 included herein.

N/A – Not Applicable

Sums may not equal totals due to rounding.

(a)  During fiscal 2012, acquisition-related items consisted of amortization of certain intangible assets.

(b)  QSI results for the first six months of fiscal 2012 included $81 million in other operating expenses associated with a payment made to the Indian government in connection with the issuance of the BWA spectrum license.

(c)  Included $264 million in interest and dividend income related to cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, which were not part of our strategic investments, $117 million in net realized gains on investments and $71 million in gains on derivatives (primarily due to gains from put options sold as part of our stock repurchase program), partially offset by $26 million in other-than-temporary losses on investments and $6 million in interest expense.

(d)  Included $51 million in interest expense, $17 million in other-than-temporary losses on investments and $4 million of equity in losses of investees, partially offset by $27 million in net realized gains on investments, $11 million in interest and dividend income related to cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities and $3 million in gains on derivatives.

(e)  Free cash flow is calculated as net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures.  Reconciliation of these amounts is included in the "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Free Cash Flows to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities (GAAP) and Other Supplemental Disclosures" for the six months ended March 25, 2012, included herein.

N/A – Not Applicable

Sums may not equal totals due to rounding.

(a)  At fiscal year end, the sum of the quarterly tax provisions (benefits) 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 allocated to tax provisions (benefits) among the columns.  

Sums may not equal totals due to rounding.

Qualcomm Contact:
Warren Kneeshaw
Phone:  1-858-658-4813
e-mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Qualcomm Incorporated