IDCC vs QCOM vs VIA

For growth investors, Via Transportation, Inc.

(VIA) is the stronger pick with 28. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -4. 0% for InterDigital, Inc. (IDCC). InterDigital, Inc. (IDCC) offers the better valuation at 22. 9x trailing P/E (37. 4x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate InterDigital, Inc. (IDCC) a "Buy" — based on 16 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, InterDigital, Inc.

(IDCC) is the cheapest at 22. 9x versus QUALCOMM Incorporated at 42. 0x. On forward P/E, QUALCOMM Incorporated is actually cheaper at 19. 6x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: InterDigital, Inc. wins at 0. 72x versus QUALCOMM Incorporated's 9. 40x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, InterDigital, Inc.

(IDCC) delivered a total return of +311. 8%, compared to -71. 5% for Via Transportation, Inc. (VIA). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: IDCC returned +421. 2% versus VIA's -71. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), InterDigital, Inc.

(IDCC) is the lower-risk stock at 1. 11β versus QUALCOMM Incorporated's 1. 64β — meaning QCOM is approximately 48% more volatile than IDCC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Via Transportation, Inc. (VIA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 5% versus 77% for QUALCOMM Incorporated — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Via Transportation, Inc.

(VIA) is pulling ahead at 28. 6% versus -4. 0% for InterDigital, Inc. (IDCC). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Via Transportation, Inc. grew EPS 3. 2% year-over-year, compared to -44. 2% for QUALCOMM Incorporated. Over a 3-year CAGR, IDCC leads at 22. 1% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

InterDigital, Inc.

(IDCC) is the more profitable company, earning 48. 8% net margin versus -22. 2% for Via Transportation, Inc. — meaning it keeps 48. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: IDCC leads at 55. 3% versus -17. 6% for VIA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — IDCC leads at 80. 3%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, InterDigital, Inc. (IDCC) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 72x versus QUALCOMM Incorporated's 9. 40x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) trades at 19. 6x forward P/E versus 37. 4x for InterDigital, Inc. — 17. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for VIA: 163. 8% to $37. 25.

In this comparison, QCOM (1.

6% yield), IDCC (0. 7% yield) pay a dividend. VIA does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, InterDigital, Inc.

(IDCC) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1. 11), 0. 7% yield, +421. 2% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (IDCC: +421. 2%, VIA: -71. 5%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

In terms of investment character: IDCC is a small-cap quality compounder stock; QCOM is a large-cap quality compounder stock; VIA is a small-cap high-growth stock. IDCC, QCOM pay a dividend while VIA does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.