Let’s dig into the relative performance of SMART (NASDAQ:SGH) and its peers as we unravel the now-completed Q3 processors and graphics chips earnings season.

The biggest demand drivers for processors (CPUs) and graphics chips at the moment are secular trends related to 5G and Internet of Things, autonomous driving, and high performance computing in the data center space, specifically around AI and machine learning. Like all semiconductor companies, digital chip makers exhibit a degree of cyclicality, driven by supply and demand imbalances and exposure to PC and Smartphone product cycles.

The 9 processors and graphics chips stocks we track reported a satisfactory Q3. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.7% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

While some processors and graphics chips stocks have fared somewhat better than others, they have collectively declined. On average, share prices are down 3% since the latest earnings results.

Weakest Q3: SMART (NASDAQ:SGH)

Based in the US, SMART Global Holdings (NASDAQ:SGH) is a diversified semiconductor company offering memory, digital, and LED products.

SMART reported revenues of $311.1 million, down 1.7% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 4.3%. Overall, it was a disappointing quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income and EPS estimates.

SMART delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates of the whole group. The market was likely pricing in the results, and the stock is flat since reporting. It currently trades at $21.

Read our full report on SMART here, it’s free .

Best Q3: Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM)

Having been at the forefront of developing the standards for cellular connectivity for over four decades, Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM) is a leading innovator and a fabless manufacturer of wireless technology chips used in smartphones, autos and internet of things appliances.

Qualcomm reported revenues of $11.67 billion, up 17.5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 6.7%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a significant improvement in its inventory levels and a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Qualcomm pulled off the biggest analyst estimates beat among its peers. Although it had a fine quarter compared to its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 12.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $154.33.

Is now the time to buy Qualcomm? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free .

Lattice Semiconductor (NASDAQ:LSCC)

A global leader in its category, Lattice Semiconductor (NASDAQ:LSCC) is a semiconductor designer specializing in customer-programmable chips that enhance CPU performance for intensive tasks such as machine learning.