San Diego-based Qualcomm, the biggest maker of chips used in mobile phones, said on Tuesday its current structure offered unique strategic benefits that cannot be replicated. Qualcomm, whose earnings have slumped by more than 40 percent in each of the last three quarters, said it had "a focused plan" in place that it believed would drive growth. Chief Executive Steve Mollenkopf did not elaborate. The company has also said all along that its existing structure allowed it to leverage relationships with Chinese customers, which are expanding quickly into other countries. Qualcomm said business in the current quarter was stronger than expected as 3G and 4G device shipments were helping its licensing business and cost cuts were taking hold. The chipmaker said it now expected earnings per share for the quarter to be at or modestly above the high end of its forecast range. The company had forecast earnings of 80-90 cents per share for the quarter. The technology licensing business has driven Qualcomm's profits for years, thanks to the royalties it collects on the chip-technology developed by its chipmaking unit. Qualcomm, which has been facing a host of problems in China including delays in closing new licensing agreements, said on Tuesday it was making progress on closing the deals. Qualcomm shares closed up 2.5 percent at $48.02 on Tuesday, but fall almost 40 percent this year. Looks like the worst may be over for QCOM. Will keep an eye on this stock. $QCOM, QUALCOMM Incorporated / 1440