C3.ai, Inc. (AI) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)

QCOM leads on 8 of 9 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of C3.ai, Inc. and QUALCOMM Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — AI vs QCOM

growth of $100 · last 6y
AI -88.2%QCOM +35.7%QCOM compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
1101001kStart $100202120222023202420252026$12$136
AI QCOM

AI vs QCOM: by the numbers

  • QCOM is the larger company ($223.15B vs $1.55B market cap).
  • QCOM is profitable (22.31% net margin) while AI runs a net loss (-187.95%).
  • QCOM grew revenue faster over the past five years (8.63% vs 6.44% CAGR).
  • QCOM pays a dividend (1.70% yield) while AI does not currently pay one.

Which is better, AI or QCOM?

Metric tally: AI 1 · QCOM 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

GrowthQCOM(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityQCOM(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAIQCOM
P/E ratio22.72
Forward P/E19.72
P/S ratio6.375.10
P/B ratio2.448.32
PEG ratio3.96
EV / EBITDA16.71
FCF yield5.51%

Profitability

MetricAIQCOM
Gross margin30.92%54.80%
Operating margin-194.86%25.52%
Net margin-187.95%22.31%
ROE-71.95%36.38%
ROIC-68.71%13.15%

Dividends

MetricAIQCOM
Dividend yield1.70%
Payout ratio70.95%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAIQCOM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)6.44%8.63%
EPS CAGR (5Y)5.74%
FCF CAGR (5Y)9.39%
Total return CAGR (5Y)-29.02%11.87%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AI or QCOM?
It depends on your goal. growth: QCOM (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: QCOM (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, QCOM leads 8 to 1.
Which has grown faster, AI or QCOM?
Over the past five years, QCOM grew revenue faster — AI at a 6.44% CAGR versus QCOM at 8.63%.
Does AI or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?
QCOM pays a dividend (1.70% yield) while AI does not currently pay one.
Is AI or QCOM more profitable?
QCOM runs the higher net margin — AI at -187.95% versus QCOM at 22.31%.
Which has been the better investment, AI or QCOM?
Over the past 5-year, QCOM delivered the higher annualized total return — AI at -29.02% versus QCOM at 17.83%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 14, 2026.