Nov 4, 2026 · 8 min
Chipmakers seek growth beyond smartphones as travel demand holds
Closing Bell: Earnings from Arm, Qualcomm, Expedia
The episode shows how semiconductor companies are repositioning around AI, data centers, vehicles and other markets while Expedia benefits from resilient travel spending.
- 1Qualcomm is expanding beyond handsets, targeting data centers, artificial intelligence, vehicles and the Internet of Things.
- 2Expedia raised its full-year revenue outlook after stronger-than-expected third-quarter results, signaling continued travel demand.
- 3Cirrus Logic beat several earnings measures, but cautious guidance pressured its shares after hours.
Don't miss
Qualcomm’s effort to offset smartphone weakness by expanding into AI, data centers, vehicles and other markets is the episode’s central moment.
The brief
The closing bell roundup focuses on a common corporate problem: smartphone weakness is forcing chipmakers to find growth in newer markets, while travel demand remains strong.
Qualcomm’s results broadly met or exceeded expectations, but the larger story is its push to grow non-handset revenue through data centers, artificial intelligence, vehicles and connected devices.
Expedia delivered stronger-than-expected third-quarter revenue and raised its full-year outlook, offering a favorable read on travel demand even as other companies manage tougher transitions.
Cirrus Logic beat on several earnings measures, yet guidance came in slightly below expectations and sent shares lower after hours—a reminder that forward signals can outweigh past results.
The episode connects Qualcomm’s diversification, Arm Holdings’ broader semiconductor exposure and Expedia’s outlook into a snapshot of where investors see durable growth.
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