QCOM vs. JNJ

Last updated Jun 9, 2026

QCOM (QUALCOMM Incorporated) and JNJ (Johnson & Johnson) are both stocks. QCOM operates in Semiconductors (Technology), while JNJ operates in Drug Manufacturers - General (Healthcare). Over the past 10 years, QCOM returned 18.18%/yr vs 10.06%/yr for JNJ. At a 0.19 correlation, their price movements are largely independent.

Performance

QCOM vs. JNJ - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, QCOM achieves a 28.60% return, which is significantly higher than JNJ's 13.43% return. Over the past 10 years, QCOM has outperformed JNJ with an annualized return of 18.18%, while JNJ has yielded a comparatively lower 10.06% annualized return.

QCOM

• 1D: 0.85%
• 1M: -0.24%
• YTD: 28.60%
• 6M: 25.48%
• 1Y: 48.99%
• 3Y*: 24.96%
• 5Y*: 12.79%
• 10Y*: 18.18%

JNJ

• 1D: -0.26%
• 1M: 5.50%
• YTD: 13.43%
• 6M: 16.43%
• 1Y: 53.49%
• 3Y*: 16.56%
• 5Y*: 10.04%
• 10Y*: 10.06%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

QCOM vs. JNJ - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
QCOM QUALCOMM Incorporated	28.60%	13.84%	8.31%	35.07%	-38.58%	22.25%	77.08%	60.76%	-7.59%	2.05%
JNJ Johnson & Johnson	13.43%	47.48%	-4.81%	-8.58%	5.97%	11.44%	10.82%	16.22%	-5.13%	24.43%

Correlation

The correlation between QCOM and JNJ is -0.09, meaning there is essentially no relationship between their price movements. Each responds to its own set of market drivers, making them strong candidates for combining in a diversified portfolio.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	-0.09
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	-0.03
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.04
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.16
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 17, 1991	0.19

The correlation between QCOM and JNJ shifts across timeframes, from -0.09 (1 year) to 0.19 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

Fundamentals

Market Cap QCOM : $233.45B JNJ : $567.68B
EPS QCOM : $9.11 JNJ : $8.65
PE Ratio QCOM : 23.89 JNJ : 26.85
PS Ratio QCOM : 5.33 JNJ : 5.86
PB Ratio QCOM : 8.56 JNJ : 6.99
Total Revenue (TTM) QCOM : $44.49B JNJ : $96.36B
Gross Profit (TTM) QCOM : $24.38B JNJ : $66.60B
EBITDA (TTM) QCOM : $12.92B JNJ : $31.62B

Return for Risk

QCOM vs. JNJ — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

QCOM

QCOM Risk / Return Rank: 71
QCOM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 73
QCOM Sortino Ratio Rank: 70
QCOM Omega Ratio Rank: 74
QCOM Calmar Ratio Rank: 70
QCOM Martin Ratio Rank: 69

JNJ

JNJ Risk / Return Rank: 95
JNJ Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
JNJ Sortino Ratio Rank: 97
JNJ Omega Ratio Rank: 95
JNJ Calmar Ratio Rank: 92
JNJ Martin Ratio Rank: 93

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

QCOM vs. JNJ - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) and Johnson & Johnson (JNJ). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	QCOM	JNJ	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.04	3.19	-2.15
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.69	4.65	-2.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.24	1.57	-0.33
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	4.91	-3.42
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	3.34	14.52	-11.17
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

QCOM vs. JNJ - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current QCOM Sharpe Ratio is 1.04, which is lower than the JNJ Sharpe Ratio of 3.19. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of QCOM and JNJ, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	QCOM	JNJ	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.04	3.19	-2.15
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.31	0.60	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.47	0.55	-0.08
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.42	0.54	-0.11

Drawdowns

QCOM vs. JNJ - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum QCOM drawdown since its inception was -86.75%, which is greater than JNJ's maximum drawdown of -50.67%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for QCOM and JNJ.

Drawdown Indicators

	QCOM	JNJ	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-86.75%	-50.67%	-36.08%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-33.13%	-10.96%	-22.17%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-44.23%	-15.95%	-28.28%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-44.29%	-18.41%	-25.88%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-44.29%	-27.37%	-16.92%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-12.93%	-6.06%	-6.87%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-32.88%	-11.88%	-21.00%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	14.70%	3.70%	+11.00%

Volatility

QCOM vs. JNJ - Volatility Comparison

QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) has a higher volatility of 29.80% compared to Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) at 5.80%. This indicates that QCOM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than JNJ based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	QCOM	JNJ	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	29.80%	5.80%	+24.00%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	40.61%	12.41%	+28.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	47.39%	16.87%	+30.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	40.86%	16.87%	+23.99%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	39.13%	18.47%	+20.66%

Dividends

QCOM vs. JNJ - Dividend Comparison

QCOM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.65%, less than JNJ's 2.26% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
JNJ Johnson & Johnson	2.26%	2.48%	3.40%	3.00%	2.52%	2.45%	2.53%	2.57%	2.74%	2.38%	2.73%	2.87%
QCOM QUALCOMM Incorporated	1.65%	2.06%	2.18%	2.18%	2.67%	1.47%	1.69%	2.81%	4.27%	3.50%	3.17%	3.72%

Financials

QCOM vs. JNJ - Profitability Comparison

The chart below illustrates the profitability comparison between QUALCOMM Incorporated and Johnson & Johnson over time, highlighting three key metrics: Gross Profit Margin, Operating Margin, and Net Profit Margin.

QCOM - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, QUALCOMM Incorporated reported a gross profit of 5.70B and revenue of 10.60B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 53.8%.

JNJ - Gross Margin

Gross margin is calculated as gross profit divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Johnson & Johnson reported a gross profit of 17.20B and revenue of 24.06B. Therefore, the gross margin over that period was 71.5%.

QCOM - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, QUALCOMM Incorporated reported an operating income of 2.31B and revenue of 10.60B, resulting in an operating margin of 21.8%.

JNJ - Operating Margin

Operating margin is calculated as operating income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Johnson & Johnson reported an operating income of 6.40B and revenue of 24.06B, resulting in an operating margin of 26.6%.

QCOM - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, QUALCOMM Incorporated reported a net income of 7.37B and revenue of 10.60B, resulting in a net margin of 69.5%.

JNJ - Net Margin

Net margin is calculated as net income divided by revenue. For the three months ending on Jun 2026, Johnson & Johnson reported a net income of 5.24B and revenue of 24.06B, resulting in a net margin of 21.8%.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both QCOM and JNJ in my portfolio?

QCOM and JNJ have a correlation of -0.09, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, QCOM or JNJ?

QCOM has higher volatility (29.80%) compared to JNJ (5.80%). In terms of maximum drawdown, QCOM dropped -86.75% vs JNJ's -50.67%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

JNJ currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.19 vs 1.04), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.