QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) vs Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (STRL)
A side-by-side comparison of QUALCOMM Incorporated and Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 10, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
Different business models: QCOM is classified in Technology; STRL is classified in Industrials. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.
QCOM
QUALCOMM Incorporated
$181.97TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
STRL
Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.
$511.04IndustrialsDelayed quote: Sep 11, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — QCOM vs STRL
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yQCOM +266.0% (+13.9%/yr)STRL +7024.5% (+53.2%/yr)STRL compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
QCOM STRL
QCOM vs STRL: by the numbers
- •QCOM is the larger company ($191.07B vs $15.68B market cap).
- •QCOM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (20.77 vs 36.84 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •QCOM converts more revenue to profit (21.01% vs 12.55% net margin).
- •STRL grew revenue faster over the past five years (18.89% vs 6.23% CAGR).
- •QCOM pays a dividend (2.05% yield), while STRL is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | QCOM | STRL |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 20.77 | 36.84 |
| Forward P/E | 17.26 | 25.81 |
| P/S ratio | 4.34 | 4.56 |
| P/B ratio | 6.91 | 11.55 |
| EV / EBITDA | 17.11 | 21.79 |
| FCF yield | 5.45% | 3.06% |
Profitability
| Metric | QCOM | STRL |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 54.23% | 23.59% |
| Operating margin | 23.19% | 18.06% |
| Net margin | 21.01% | 12.55% |
| ROE | 33.48% | 31.79% |
| ROIC | 17.42% | 24.77% |
Dividends
| Metric | QCOM | STRL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.05% | N/A |
| Payout ratio | 41.32% | N/A |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | QCOM | STRL |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 6.23% | 18.89% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 2.02% | 44.28% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 2.09% | 32.42% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.80% | 86.00% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, QCOM or STRL?
- QCOM has the lower trailing P/E: QCOM trades at 20.77 and STRL at 36.84. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, QCOM or STRL?
- Over the past five years, STRL grew revenue faster — QCOM at a 6.23% CAGR versus STRL at 18.89%.
- Does QCOM or STRL pay a bigger dividend?
- QCOM pays a dividend (2.05% yield), while STRL is a former payer with no current dividend run rate.
- Is QCOM or STRL more profitable?
- QCOM runs the higher net margin — QCOM at 21.01% versus STRL at 12.55%.
- How have QCOM and STRL total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, QCOM delivered 14.33% and STRL delivered 53.80% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
QUALCOMM P/E ratioSterling Infrastructure P/E ratioQUALCOMM dividend yieldQUALCOMM ROESterling Infrastructure ROEQUALCOMM operating marginSterling Infrastructure operating marginQUALCOMM revenue growthSterling Infrastructure revenue growthQUALCOMM free cash flowSterling Infrastructure free cash flow
QUALCOMM & Sterling Infrastructure appear in these rankings
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 September 10, 2026.