No, Qualcomm is not typically listed as a Fortune 50 company. While it is a significant global technology leader, recognized for its contributions to wireless communication and its prominent inclusion in the S&P 500 Index, its revenue generally places it outside the top 50 largest corporations in the United States.
Qualcomm, a company headquartered in San Diego, California, and traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market® under the ticker symbol QCOM, has a long-standing history of being recognized among America's largest corporations. For instance, in 2005, it was notably identified as a FORTUNE 500® company. This distinction underscores its substantial revenue and influence within the U.S. economy, positioning it among the top 500 companies by gross revenue, but not specifically within the much smaller and more exclusive top 50.
Understanding Fortune Rankings
The Fortune 50 and Fortune 500 lists, compiled annually by Fortune magazine, rank the largest U.S. corporations by total revenues for their respective fiscal years. The primary difference lies in the number of companies included:
| Ranking Category | Description | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Fortune 50 | The 50 largest U.S. corporations by revenue. | Represents the absolute top tier of businesses by revenue. |
| Fortune 500 | The 500 largest U.S. corporations by revenue. | Encompasses a broader range of the most influential companies. |
Being a Fortune 500 company is a significant achievement, indicating a company's robust financial performance and substantial market presence. However, to be a Fortune 50 company means ranking among the very elite handful of corporations with the highest revenues, a threshold that few companies consistently meet.
Qualcomm's Industry Standing and Impact
Qualcomm's consistent presence on lists like the Fortune 500 and its inclusion in the S&P 500 Index highlight its enduring role as a key player in the technology sector. The company is widely known for its innovations in mobile technology, including its Snapdragon products offered by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries, which power a vast array of smartphones and other connected devices worldwide. This strong market position firmly establishes Qualcomm as an industry leader and a major economic contributor, even if its annual revenue figures typically place it outside the Fortune 50.
