Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)

MSFT leads on 9 of 16 compared metrics, though QCOM is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Microsoft Corporation 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 — MSFT vs QCOM

growth of $100 · last 30y
MSFT +4981.1%QCOM +7028.6%QCOM compounded faster
02k4k6k8kStart $100200120062011201620212026$5,081$7,129
MSFT QCOM

MSFT vs QCOM: by the numbers

  • MSFT is the larger company ($2.90T vs $223.15B market cap).
  • QCOM trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.72 vs 23.26 P/E).
  • MSFT converts more revenue to profit (39.34% vs 22.31% net margin).
  • MSFT grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.75% vs 8.63% CAGR).
  • QCOM pays the higher dividend yield (1.70% vs 0.91%).

Which is better, MSFT or QCOM?

Metric tally: MSFT 9 · QCOM 7

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueQCOM(lower P/E)
GrowthMSFT(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeQCOM(higher dividend yield)
QualityMSFT(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricMSFTQCOM
P/E ratio23.2622.72
Forward P/E20.1219.72
P/S ratio9.145.10
P/B ratio7.028.32
PEG ratio2.343.96
EV / EBITDA14.6016.71
FCF yield2.51%5.51%

Profitability

MetricMSFTQCOM
Gross margin68.31%54.80%
Operating margin46.80%25.52%
Net margin39.34%22.31%
ROE30.22%36.38%
ROIC21.63%13.15%

Dividends

MetricMSFTQCOM
Dividend yield0.91%1.70%
Payout ratio25.99%70.95%

Growth (annualized)

MetricMSFTQCOM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)14.75%8.63%
EPS CAGR (5Y)18.68%5.74%
FCF CAGR (5Y)6.27%9.39%
Total return CAGR (5Y)9.56%11.87%

Frequently asked

Which is better, MSFT or QCOM?
It depends on your goal. value: QCOM (lower P/E); growth: MSFT (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: QCOM (higher dividend yield); quality: MSFT (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, MSFT leads 9 to 7.
Is MSFT or QCOM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, QCOM is cheaper: MSFT trades at a 23.26 P/E and QCOM at 22.72.
Which has grown faster, MSFT or QCOM?
Over the past five years, MSFT grew revenue faster — MSFT at a 14.75% CAGR versus QCOM at 8.63%.
Does MSFT or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?
MSFT yields 0.91% and QCOM yields 1.70% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is MSFT or QCOM more profitable?
MSFT runs the higher net margin — MSFT at 39.34% versus QCOM at 22.31%.
Which has been the better investment, MSFT or QCOM?
Over the past 10-year, MSFT delivered the higher annualized total return — MSFT at 23.98% 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.