[Qualcomm's performance outlook is dull and it fell more than 5% after the bell] On November 5, Qualcomm gave flat profit guidance for the current financial quarter ending in December, citing the general rise in parts and manufacturing costs. The company expects earnings per share for the quarter of $2.15 to $2.35, with the midpoint of the range lower than analysts' average estimate of $2.32. Revenue is expected to be $10.4 billion to $11.2 billion, compared with analysts' estimates of $10.55 billion. Although the revenue guidance was higher than expected, the profit guidance was lower than expected, which still dragged down the stock price by 5% in after-hours trading. Qualcomm said parts and manufacturing costs are rising across the board, and like many chipmakers it is dealing with rising costs caused by shortages in its own supply chain and a shortage of memory chips due to surging demand in data centers. Demand from auto and data center equipment makers is partly making up for a slowdown in the smartphone market, as mobile phone suppliers, Qualcomm's biggest customers, have cut production due to soaring prices for components such as memory chips. Qualcomm's fourth-quarter sales fell 8% to $10.3 billion, with earnings per share of $2.17, both slightly higher than analysts' estimates.