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Qualcomm hit by Apple rumors ahead of earnings update on Wednesday

Last updated: 16:02 31 Oct 2017 EDT, First published: 07:02 31 Oct 2017 EDT

iPad user
It is thought that Apple may not use Qualcomm's modem chips in the new iPad

The bears had their teeth into Qualcomm Inc (NASDAQ:QCOM) on Tuesday as rumors emerged Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) is dropping it as a components supplier.

The rumors are plausible as the two companies are in dispute over alleged unpaid royalties after Apple sued the chip-maker in January, accusing it of overcharging for chips and holding back around US$1bn in promised rebates.

READ Qualcomm sues Apple device makers for unpaid royalties

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports that Apple is designing iPhones and iPads for release next year that will not feature Qualcomm’s components; Qualcomm chips have long been used in the electronic devices maker’s flagship products.

The WSJ;s sources claim Qualcomm has withheld software that is critical to testing Qualcomm chips in iPhone and iPad prototypes.

Qualcomm told the Reuters news agency it is providing fully-tested chips to Apple.

“We are committed to supporting Apple’s new devices consistent with our support of all others in the industry,” Qualcomm said.

It told a similar story to Bloomberg News.

“The Qualcomm modem that could be used in the next generation iPhone has already been fully tested and released to Apple,” it claimed.

The chip-maker is set to release its fiscal fourth quarter results on Wednesday, and the conference call with the analysts could prove to be sparky.

The company’s chips are still used in other smartphones, such as Google’s flagship Pixel phone, and the company has been making a big push into virtual/augmented reality and the Internet of Things.

Analysts are expecting Qualcomm to report earnings per share of 81 cents, down from US$1.28 a year earlier.

The top-line is tipped to decline by 6% to US$5.8bn, and if that forecast is on the money then it would represent the third successive quarter of revenue decline.

The company’s own revenue guidance range spans from US$5.4bn to US$6.2bn, while it expects underlying earnings per share to fall between 75 and 85 cents.

Analysts will also be looking for news on the proposed acquisition of Dutch automotive chip-maker NXP Semiconductors NV. Announced almost a year ago, the deal still has not completed, and NXP shares are currently trading almost US$7 above Qualcomm’s offer price.

Shares in Qualcomm were down 6.68% at US$51.01 towards the end of the afternoon trading session..

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