What is the size and nature of the position Weiss Asset Management LP disclosed in Qualcomm (QCOM), and how does it compare to existing shareholder holdings?

Position disclosed

Weiss Asset Management LP – the investment manager for Brookdale International Partners and the Brookdale Global Opportunity Fund – filed a Form 8.3 under the UK Takeover Code stating that it now holds a direct, long equity position in Qualcomm (QCOM) of roughly 1 %–1.3 % of the company’s issued share capital. In share‑count terms that works out to about 30‑35 million QCOM shares, comfortably above the 1 % reporting threshold that triggers a public disclosure. The filing makes clear that the stake is a “interest” (i.e., a buying position), not a short or derivative exposure.

Comparison with existing shareholders

The new holding sits well below the tier of the largest institutional owners – Vanguard (≈9.5 % of outstanding shares), BlackRock (≈7.5 %) and State Street (≈4 %) – but it pushes Weiss into the ranks of mid‑size shareholders that collectively own 2 %–5 % of the stock. In other words, while Weiss’s stake is not large enough to sway control, it adds a fresh 1 %+ block of buying interest that can influence market sentiment, especially given that the company’s top‑10 holders already account for roughly 45 % of the float.

Trading implications

A new 1 %+ institutional holder is often read as a vote of confidence. Combined with Qualcomm’s recent earnings beat and continued 5G rollout momentum, the disclosure can spur short‑covering and modest buying pressure. Technically, QCOM is trading just above its 50‑day moving average, with RSI in the 45‑50 band and a clear support zone around $115 and resistance near $124. On a pull‑back to the $115‑$118 range, a light‑to‑moderate long position targeting the $130‑$135 upside (the next resistance cluster) aligns with the fundamentals and the fresh institutional buying. Keep a stop just below the $110‑$112 level to protect against a broader tech‑sector rally reversal.