Compare Stocks › QCOM vs STE
QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) vs STERIS plc (STE)
QCOM
QUALCOMM Incorporated
$131.28
VS
STE
STERIS plc
$217.92
Rewards
QCOM
- ★QUALCOMM Incorporated has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
- ★QUALCOMM Incorporated scores 73/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with reinvestment efficiency as the strongest competitive dimension.
- ★Free cash flow has grown at a 23.3% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.
STE
- ★Free cash flow has grown at a 25.1% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.
- ★Each dollar of retained earnings has created $12.98 of market value — management is an exceptional capital allocator.
- ★Trailing P/E of 30.4x is 67% below the historical average of 93.4x — potentially undervalued relative to its own history.
Risks
QCOM
- ⚠FCF yield of 7.4% suggests reasonable valuation assuming continued moderate growth.
- ⚠Trailing P/E of 26.5x is 28% above the historical average of 20.7x — the stock trades at a premium to its own history.
- ⚠18 insider sales with no purchases over the past 12 months — a persistent pattern of insider selling.
STE
- ⚠PEG ratio of 2.51 indicates the stock is expensive relative to its expected growth — the market may be pricing in more growth than analysts project.
- ⚠12 insider sales with no purchases over the past 12 months — a persistent pattern of insider selling.
Key Valuation Metrics
Learn more →QCOM
STE
Valuation
$10.42B
Free Cash Flow
$870.70M
7.43%
FCF Yield
4.07%
26.47
Trailing P/E
30.39
11.77
Forward P/E
19.64
Quality & Moat
25.70%
ROIC
9.23%
24.02%
ROE
8.57%
55.10%
Gross Margin
44.32%
N/A
PEG Ratio
2.51
Balance Sheet Safety
0.64
Debt / Equity
0.29
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
0.22
Net Debt / EBITDA
1.04
2.71%
Dividend Yield
1.13%
QCOM: 9Ties: 1STE: 1
QCOMSTE
Historical Fundamentals
Learn more →QCOM
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
STE
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.
$1 Retained Earnings Test
Learn more →QCOM
$5.06
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$11.96B
Δ Market Cap
+$60.46B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
STE
$12.98
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$496.0M
Δ Market Cap
+$6.44B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis
Learn more →QCOM
71.3% Overvalued
Price is 71.3% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $131.28
Strongly undervalued
Fairly valued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $76.62
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
STE
17.1% Overvalued
Price is 17.1% above estimated fair value
Current Price: $217.92
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Fair Value: $186.15
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth
Learn more →QCOM
What growth rate is the market pricing in at $131?
+11.2%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +2.6%
The market implies +11.2% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.
Standard FCF implies a demanding +2.6%, reflecting heavy growth investment.
STE
What growth rate is the market pricing in at $218?
+11.5%
Market-Implied FCF Growth Rate
Market below historical growth — potential opportunity.
Economic Moat Score
Learn more →QCOM
73/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
Wide moat driven primarily by reinvestment efficiency. Revenue Predictability is the area most vulnerable to competitive pressure.
Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
STE
56/100
Narrow Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None
Narrow moat with revenue predictability as the key competitive advantage. Improving roic consistency would strengthen the moat.
Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
Forensic Accounting
Learn more →QCOM
-3.16
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone
M-Score Trend
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
STE
-2.59
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone
M-Score Trend
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
Ownership Breakdown
Learn more →QCOM
Insiders 0.1%Institutions 81.6%Retail & Other 18.2%
No. of Institutional Holders3,852
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
STE
Insiders 0.3%Institutions 98.7%Retail & Other 1.0%
No. of Institutional Holders1,273
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
Insider Buying Activity
Learn more →QCOM
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
No open market insider purchases found.
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
STE
0
Buys (3M)
0
Buys (12M)
No open market insider purchases found.
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.
Insider Selling Activity
Learn more →QCOM
3
Sells (3M)
18
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $12.83M
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$330,815
@ $132.33 · 2026-03-12
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$458,799
@ $137.65 · 2026-02-06
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$577,620
@ $173.30 · 2026-01-02
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$2.20M
@ $175.29 · 2025-12-19
ROGERS ALEXANDER H
Officer
$2.83M
@ $178.01 · 2025-12-16
CHAPLIN ANN C
General Counsel
$1.28M
@ $178.03 · 2025-12-16
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$567,702
@ $170.33 · 2025-11-07
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$1.38M
@ $166.06 · 2025-10-20
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$522,808
@ $156.86 · 2025-09-02
MARTIN NEIL A
Officer
$122,463
@ $154.82 · 2025-08-21
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$493,610
@ $148.10 · 2025-08-04
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$537,560
@ $161.28 · 2025-07-02
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$486,965
@ $146.10 · 2025-06-02
MARTIN NEIL A
Officer
$120,808
@ $153.70 · 2025-05-21
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$465,846
@ $139.77 · 2025-05-05
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$91,442
@ $141.11 · 2025-04-09
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$119,900
@ $132.63 · 2025-04-08
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$235,262
@ $132.10 · 2025-04-04
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$523,292
@ $156.82 · 2025-03-03
MARTIN NEIL A
Officer
$130,074
@ $174.83 · 2025-02-21
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$509,397
@ $169.80 · 2025-02-12
ROGERS ALEXANDER H
Officer
$3.28M
@ $169.83 · 2025-02-10
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$463,851
@ $154.62 · 2025-01-02
CHAPLIN ANN C
General Counsel
$409,056
@ $158.12 · 2024-12-16
ROGERS ALEXANDER H
Officer
$1.67M
@ $160.59 · 2024-12-10
CHAPLIN ANN C
General Counsel
$1.24M
@ $160.59 · 2024-12-10
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$484,617
@ $161.54 · 2024-12-05
MARTIN NEIL A
Officer
$202,120
@ $155.00 · 2024-11-21
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$491,349
@ $163.78 · 2024-11-14
THOMPSON JAMES H.
Chief Technology Officer
$1.38M
@ $172.09 · 2024-11-08
CHAPLIN ANN C
General Counsel
$313,779
@ $165.06 · 2024-11-04
ROGERS ALEXANDER H
Officer
$539,157
@ $166.15 · 2024-10-02
THOMPSON JAMES H.
Chief Technology Officer
$1.36M
@ $169.80 · 2024-10-01
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$497,848
@ $165.95 · 2024-10-01
MARTIN NEIL A
Officer
$126,224
@ $163.08 · 2024-09-05
THOMPSON JAMES H.
Chief Technology Officer
$1.37M
@ $171.72 · 2024-09-03
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$497,980
@ $165.99 · 2024-09-03
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$488,662
@ $162.89 · 2024-08-08
THOMPSON JAMES H.
Chief Technology Officer
$1.28M
@ $160.50 · 2024-08-02
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$616,815
@ $205.60 · 2024-07-05
THOMPSON JAMES H.
Chief Technology Officer
$1.60M
@ $199.47 · 2024-07-01
THOMPSON JAMES H.
Chief Technology Officer
$1.68M
@ $209.61 · 2024-06-03
PALKHIWALA AKASH J
Chief Operating Officer
$617,299
@ $205.77 · 2024-06-03
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
STE
1
Sells (3M)
12
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $19.87M
FELDMANN CYNTHIA L
Director
$734,877
@ $237.21 · 2026-03-05
MADSEN JULIA
Officer
$1.31M
@ $262.00 · 2025-11-21
TAMARO RENATO
Officer and Treasurer
$1.30M
@ $257.55 · 2025-11-18
ZANGERLE JOHN ADAM
General Counsel
$3.98M
@ $265.14 · 2025-11-11
CARESTIO DANIEL A
Chief Executive Officer
$38,449
@ $241.82 · 2025-10-06
TAMARO RENATO
Officer and Treasurer
$798,565
@ $249.24 · 2025-08-20
BURTON KAREN L
Officer
$1.91M
@ $241.73 · 2025-08-11
FELDMANN CYNTHIA L
Director
$844,252
@ $241.56 · 2025-08-11
SOHI MOHSEN M
Director
$994,456
@ $241.96 · 2025-08-11
ZANGERLE JOHN ADAM
General Counsel
$477,581
@ $241.45 · 2025-06-13
CARESTIO DANIEL A
Chief Executive Officer
$4.28M
@ $242.56 · 2025-06-05
MAJORS CARY L
Officer
$3.21M
@ $250.08 · 2025-05-20
MAJORS CARY L
Officer
$365,532
@ $217.32 · 2024-11-25
TOKICH MICHAEL JOSEPH
Chief Financial Officer
$5.71M
@ $244.93 · 2024-09-16
TOKICH MICHAEL JOSEPH
Chief Financial Officer
$5.76M
@ $247.00 · 2024-09-10
HOLLAND CHRISTOPHER S
Director
$113,369
@ $239.68 · 2024-08-08
MAJORS CARY L
Officer
$1.13M
@ $229.63 · 2024-06-05
MADSEN JULIA
Officer
$839,960
@ $230.00 · 2024-06-05
TAMARO RENATO
Officer and Treasurer
$267,313
@ $231.64 · 2024-05-16
FELDMANN CYNTHIA L
Director
$475,300
@ $237.65 · 2024-05-15
TOKICH MICHAEL JOSEPH
Chief Financial Officer
$7.53M
@ $235.39 · 2024-05-15
BURTON KAREN L
Officer
$707,850
@ $235.95 · 2024-05-14
SOHI MOHSEN M
Director
$476,093
@ $233.72 · 2024-05-14
MAJORS CARY L
Officer
$469,831
@ $232.13 · 2024-05-13
KOSECOFF JACQUELINE B
Director
$1.06M
@ $231.53 · 2024-05-13
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.
🎭 Mr. Market's Mood
Learn more →QCOM
😨Fear(30/100)
"Market is pessimistic — investigate whether fears are temporary or structural"
Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
STE
😨Fear(37/100)
"Market is pessimistic — investigate whether fears are temporary or structural"
Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
⚖️ Buffett Signal
Learn more →QCOM
⚪Awaiting DCF Data
The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.
DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Fear (30)
STE
⚪Awaiting DCF Data
The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.
DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Fear (37)