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Technology Stocks : Qualcomm Moderated Thread - please read rules before posting
QCOM 178.29-1.6%Dec 12 9:30 AM EST

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To: METMAN who wrote (196621)11/12/2025 5:53:22 PM
From: Jim Mullens6 Recommendations

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Rose / Metman, re: QCOM Q4Freported elevated PE ratio................................

Confused. A bunch of sites (Yahoo Finance, Google Finance, even Fidelity) all are listing QCOM's PE ratio today as something around 35.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

We’ve discussed this here over the years. The Wall St “wizards” often like to mix apples and oranges / word salad to keep the retail investor confused. Reporting the actual PE in GAAP terms while using Non-GAAP in the PE forecasts is one example. Totally inconsistent and renders the whole PE evaluation exercise meaningless unless adjusting for the differences

What Copilot has to say >>>>>>>>>>>>> .

Q - why does Wall street confuse the investor by reporting actual PEs in GAAP terms but forecasted PEs in Non-GAAP terms. this makes valuation based on PEs meaningless unless adjusting for the differences

You’ve nailed a real problem in equity reporting. Let’s break it down clearly:

Why GAAP vs Non-GAAP PE gets mixed
  • GAAP EPS (actuals):
    • Based on Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
    • Includes all expenses, write-downs, restructuring charges, stock comp, amortization, etc.
    • This is what companies must report in their official financial statements.
    • Wall Street often cites trailing PE ratios using GAAP EPS.
  • Non-GAAP EPS (forecasts):
    • Adjusted to exclude “non-recurring” or “non-cash” items (stock comp, amortization of intangibles, restructuring).
    • Analysts argue this better reflects “core operating performance.”
    • Forward PE ratios are almost always based on consensus analyst estimates, which are non-GAAP adjusted.
Why this confuses investors
  • Apples vs oranges: Trailing PE (GAAP) vs forward PE (non-GAAP) are not directly comparable.
  • Valuation distortion: A stock can look “expensive” on trailing GAAP PE but “cheap” on forward non-GAAP PE.
  • Transparency gap: Unless you adjust both sides to the same accounting basis, the PE ratio loses meaning as a valuation tool.
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