Andra AP fonden Boosts Holdings in Applied Materials, Inc. $AMAT

Andra AP fonden increased its stake in Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT) by 34.4% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 126,229 shares of the manufacturing equipment provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 32,340 shares during the quarter. Applied Materials makes up approximately 1.0% of Andra AP fonden’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 16th biggest position. Andra AP fonden’s holdings in Applied Materials were worth $91,264,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Harborfront Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Applied Materials in the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new position in Applied Materials in the second quarter worth approximately $33,000. Highland Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Applied Materials in the second quarter worth approximately $33,000. BOK Financial Private Wealth Inc. acquired a new position in Applied Materials during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $41,000. Finally, Financial Freedom LLC acquired a new position in Applied Materials during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. 80.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Applied Materials Stock Performance

NASDAQ:AMAT traded up $4.78 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $469.02. The stock had a trading volume of 2,538,742 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,032,701. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $495.94 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $466.98. Applied Materials, Inc. has a 12-month low of $196.20 and a 12-month high of $739.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.79, a current ratio of 2.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The stock has a market cap of $372.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 40.41, a P/E/G ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.60.

Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 13th. The manufacturing equipment provider reported $3.50 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.40 by $0.10. Applied Materials had a net margin of 30.05% and a return on equity of 38.02%. The business had revenue of $9.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $8.99 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.48 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 24.8% on a year-over-year basis. Applied Materials has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 3.820-4.220 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Applied Materials, Inc. will post 12.78 EPS for the current year.

Applied Materials Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 10th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 19th will be issued a dividend of $0.53 per share. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 19th. Applied Materials’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 18.28%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. B. Riley Financial restated a “buy” rating and issued a $700.00 price objective (down from $790.00) on shares of Applied Materials in a report on Friday, August 14th. Argus set a $600.00 price target on Applied Materials in a research note on Tuesday, August 18th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reaffirmed a “buy” rating and set a $605.00 price target on shares of Applied Materials in a report on Friday, August 14th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Applied Materials from $510.00 to $770.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, June 26th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Applied Materials from $715.00 to $740.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Friday, June 26th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-seven have issued a Buy rating and five have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $658.45.

More Applied Materials News

Here are the key news stories impacting Applied Materials this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Major India investment supports long-term growth: Applied Materials plans to invest $5 billion in India over the next decade, expanding research, suppliers, supply-chain operations and its workforce. The initiative could strengthen the company’s position as India develops its semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. Applied Materials Commits $5 Billion to India as Chip Manufacturing Expands
• Positive Sentiment: AI and advanced-chip demand remain supportive: Analysts and investors continue to point to rising AI chip complexity and equipment spending as potential drivers for Applied Materials. Industry forecasts also project strong growth in the global semiconductor metrology market, where the company participates. 3 AI Tech Stocks with 50%+ Upside, According to Analysts
• Positive Sentiment: Potentially improved trade relations could help: Reports that U.S.-China talks may ease tariff pressure are viewed as favorable for semiconductor and technology companies with China exposure, including Applied Materials. U.S.-China Talks Seem Successful: ETF Areas in Focus
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor attention is elevated: AMAT is among the most-watched stocks on Zacks, while management is scheduled to present at SEMICON West on October 13. The event could provide additional information about demand and strategy, but no new financial guidance was announced. Applied Materials to Host Investor Breakfast Presentation During SEMICON West
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and semiconductor cyclicality remain risks: After a substantial multiyear advance, some commentary questions whether AI enthusiasm is already reflected in AMAT’s valuation. A potential equipment-spending downturn or weaker chip cycle could pressure future results even if long-term demand remains strong. Applied Materials: Momentum Says Up; The Cycle Says Down

Insider Buying and Selling at Applied Materials

In other Applied Materials news, Director Judy Bruner sold 1,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $465.00, for a total transaction of $465,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 25,544 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,877,960. This trade represents a 3.77% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CFO Brice Hill sold 7,500 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $479.25, for a total value of $3,594,375.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 128,613 shares in the company, valued at $61,637,780.25. This represents a 5.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last three months, insiders sold 86,821 shares of company stock worth $59,609,471. 0.30% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Applied Materials Profile

Applied Materials, Inc is a global provider of materials engineering solutions used to manufacture semiconductors, displays and other advanced electronic products. The company develops and supplies equipment, services and software that help customers build and improve the performance of chips and display panels.

Its semiconductor products support processes including deposition, etch, patterning, inspection, metrology and materials modification. Applied Materials also provides equipment and services for display manufacturing, including technologies used in producing liquid-crystal and organic light-emitting diode displays, as well as solutions for adjacent markets such as solar and other specialty applications.

Founded in 1967 and headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Applied Materials serves semiconductor and display manufacturers worldwide through operations, customer-support centers and research and development activities across major technology-producing regions.