REKR vs QCOM

For growth investors, Rekor Systems, Inc.

(REKR) is the stronger pick with 31. 8% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 13. 7% for QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM). QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) offers the better valuation at 38. 5x trailing P/E (17. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Rekor Systems, Inc. (REKR) a "Buy" — based on 4 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.

Over the past 5 years, QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) delivered a total return of +53.

4%, compared to -95. 1% for Rekor Systems, Inc. (REKR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: QCOM returned +333. 2% versus REKR's -70. 3%. 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), QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

55β versus Rekor Systems, Inc. 's 2. 55β — meaning REKR is approximately 64% more volatile than QCOM relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 77% versus 95% for Rekor Systems, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Rekor Systems, Inc.

(REKR) is pulling ahead at 31. 8% versus 13. 7% for QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Rekor Systems, Inc. grew EPS 1. 4% year-over-year, compared to -44. 2% for QUALCOMM Incorporated. Over a 3-year CAGR, REKR leads at 58. 4% 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.

QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) is the more profitable company, earning 12.

5% net margin versus -133. 4% for Rekor Systems, Inc. — meaning it keeps 12. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: QCOM leads at 27. 9% versus -118. 0% for REKR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — QCOM leads at 55. 4%, 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.

Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for REKR: 236.

4% to $3. 00.

In this comparison, QCOM (1.

8% yield) pays a dividend. REKR does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (1.

8% yield, +333. 2% 10Y return). Rekor Systems, Inc. (REKR) carries a higher beta of 2. 55 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (QCOM: +333. 2%, REKR: -70. 3%), 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: REKR is a small-cap high-growth stock; QCOM is a large-cap quality compounder stock. QCOM pays a dividend while REKR 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.