QUALCOMM Incorporated vs Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ): SG&A Expense Trends

SG&A Expense Trends: A Tale of Two Giants

In the ever-evolving landscape of telecommunications, the Selling, General, and Administrative (SG&A) expenses of industry titans like QUALCOMM Incorporated and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) offer a fascinating glimpse into their strategic priorities. Over the past decade, from 2014 to 2023, Ericsson's SG&A expenses have consistently dwarfed those of QUALCOMM, averaging nearly 12 times higher. This disparity highlights Ericsson's expansive global operations and its commitment to maintaining a robust administrative framework.

QUALCOMM, on the other hand, has shown a more conservative approach, with its SG&A expenses peaking in 2018 at approximately 2.99 billion USD, before stabilizing around 2.48 billion USD in 2023. Ericsson's expenses, however, surged to a staggering 37.68 billion USD in 2023, reflecting its aggressive market strategies. Notably, data for 2024 is incomplete, leaving room for speculation on future trends. This financial narrative underscores the contrasting operational philosophies of these two industry leaders.