Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) continued seven consecutive sessions of gains, as the stock closed up 0.2% at $200.90 on Tuesday. The company gained over 17% in the past six trading sessions. The stock closed nearly 5.5% higher, at $200.52 on Monday. AMAT is up nearly 25.6% over the ...

Group 1 - Recent options activity indicates a bullish sentiment among large investors for Applied Materials, with 47% of trades being bullish and 41% bearish [1] - The total volume of options trades includes 34 puts amounting to $1,594,717 and 48 calls totaling $3,045,888 [1] - Analysts have set a consensus target price of $201.33 for Applied Materials, with individual ratings ranging from $175 to $220 [11][12] Group 2 - The price target window for Applied Materials is identified between $145.0 and $280.0 based on recent trading activity [2] - The mean open interest for options trades is 1,053.75, with a total volume of 43,597.00 [3] - Applied Materials is the largest semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment manufacturer globally, holding a leading market share in deposition [9]

Group 1 - KeyBanc Capital downgraded Lam Research's rating to Sector Weight [2] - The price target on the shares of Applied Materials was raised [2] - Shares of Lam Research fell about 2% on Tuesday [3] Group 2 - Applied Materials' stock was largely flat but in the green [3]

Group 1: Market Forecast Adjustments - Morgan Stanley revised the 2026 global Wafer Fab Equipment (WFE) market size forecast from $122 billion (5% YoY growth) to $128 billion (10% YoY growth), primarily driven by the storage equipment sector [2] - The forecast for DRAM-related WFE was increased to $34.9 billion, nearing the optimistic expectation of $35 billion, while NAND flash-related WFE was raised to $13.8 billion, slightly below the $15 billion optimistic forecast [2] Group 2: Company Ratings and Predictions - Applied Materials' rating was upgraded to "Overweight" with a target price increase from $172 to $209, reflecting a significant valuation discount compared to Lam Research [3] - Lam Research's rating was raised to "Equal-weight" with a target price increase from $92 to $125, acknowledging a recovery in the storage market and an increase in 2026 EPS forecast from $5.12 to $5.43 [4] - KLA's rating was maintained at "Equal-weight," with a target price increase, but concerns were raised about its high valuation compared to peers, despite an increase in 2026 EPS forecast from $37.11 to $39.03 [5]

智通财经APP获悉，9月22日，摩根士丹利分析师Shane Brett将应用材料(AMAT.US)股票评级从"持股观 望"上调至"增持"，目标价由172美元大幅上调至209美元，并明确指出该股当前极具吸引力。 报告核心逻辑显示，应用材料股价较同业公司泛林集团(LRCX.US)存在25%的折价空间，而历史数据显 示2023年以来平均折价水平为10%，本次目标价调整后隐含折价将为15%。 该行分析师特别强调，应用材料在DRAM资本支出领域的高敞口布局，以及全球新晶圆厂扩产带来的潜 在收益，是其上调业绩预期的关键支撑——公司2026年每股收益预期由9.58美元提升至10.45美元。 从风险收益比看，该股牛市与熊市情景比例为3:1，在摩根士丹利覆盖的半导体设备板块中，应用材料 对绿地DRAM项目的杠杆率最高，且分析认为中国、ICAPS及前沿逻辑领域的风险敞口相对可控，综合 因素促使风险回报呈现明显上行倾向。 作为材料工程解决方案的全球领军企业，应用材料专注于为半导体、显示器及相关行业提供制造设备、 专业服务及配套软件。 ...

Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley has revised its 2026 Wafer Fab Equipment (WFE) market forecast and adjusted ratings for three key semiconductor equipment stocks, upgrading Applied Materials to "Overweight," Lam Research to "Equal-weight," and downgrading KLA to "Equal-weight" [1][2]. WFE Market Forecast - The global WFE market size forecast for 2026 has been raised from $122 billion (5% YoY growth) to $128 billion (10% YoY growth), primarily driven by the storage equipment sector [2]. - The forecast for DRAM-related WFE has been increased to $34.9 billion, nearing the optimistic expectation of $35 billion, while NAND flash-related WFE is raised to $13.8 billion, slightly below the optimistic forecast of $15 billion [2]. Applied Materials - Applied Materials' rating has been upgraded from "Neutral" to "Overweight," with the target price increased from $172 to $209 [2]. - The stock is currently valued 25% lower than Lam Research, with a historical average valuation gap of only 10% since 2023; the new target price suggests a narrowing of this discount to 15% [2]. - The expected earnings per share (EPS) for 2026 has been raised from $9.58 to $10.45, reflecting strong growth potential [2]. Lam Research - Lam Research's rating has been upgraded from "Underweight" to "Equal-weight," with the target price increased from $92 to $125 [3]. - The EPS forecast for 2026 has been adjusted from $5.12 to $5.43, acknowledging a recovery in the storage market [3]. - Despite a predicted 3% decline in WFE demand in the Chinese market, NAND-related WFE demand is expected to grow by 34%, and non-China logic chip WFE demand by 16% [3]. KLA - KLA's rating remains at "Equal-weight," with the EPS forecast for 2026 raised from $37.11 to $39.03, indicating recognition of its strong fundamentals [4]. - However, KLA's valuation is currently 30% higher than that of Applied Materials and Lam Research, raising concerns about the sustainability of its relative performance advantage [4].

Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT) is one of the AI Stocks in Focus on Wall Street. On September 22, Morgan Stanley analyst Shane Brett upgraded the stock from Equal Weight to Overweight with a price target of $209.00 (from $172.00). The bank finds that shares of Applied Materials are compelling. “AMAT currently trades at a 25% discount to [Lam Research] vs 10% average since 2023, and our new PT implies a 15% discount.” A technical analyst using a cloud-based analytics dashboard for financial servic ...

Core Viewpoint - Morgan Stanley has revised its 2026 Wafer Fab Equipment (WFE) market forecast and adjusted ratings for three key semiconductor equipment stocks, raising Applied Materials to "Overweight," Lam Research to "Equal-weight," and lowering KLA to "Equal-weight" [1] Group 1: WFE Market Forecast - The global WFE market size forecast for 2026 has been increased from $122 billion (5% year-on-year growth) to $128 billion (10% year-on-year growth), primarily driven by the storage equipment sector [2] - The forecast for DRAM-related WFE has been raised to $34.9 billion, nearing the optimistic expectation of $35 billion, while NAND flash-related WFE is adjusted to $13.8 billion, slightly below the optimistic forecast of $15 billion [2] - Analysts expect stronger DRAM prices to lead to more aggressive DRAM capital expenditure plans, while improvements in NAND flash capital expenditure may experience some lag [2] Group 2: Applied Materials - Morgan Stanley upgraded Applied Materials' rating from "Equal-weight" to "Overweight" and raised the target price from $172 to $209 [3] - The current valuation of Applied Materials is 25% lower than Lam Research, with a target price adjustment indicating a narrowing of this discount to 15% [3] - The 2026 earnings per share (EPS) forecast for Applied Materials has been increased from $9.58 to $10.45, reflecting strong growth potential [3] Group 3: Lam Research - Lam Research's rating has been upgraded from "Underweight" to "Equal-weight," with the target price raised from $92 to $125 [4] - The 2026 EPS forecast for Lam Research has been increased from $5.12 to $5.43, acknowledging a recovery in the storage market [4] - Despite a predicted 3% decline in WFE demand from the Chinese market, NAND-related WFE demand is expected to grow by 34%, and non-China logic chip WFE demand is projected to increase by 16% [4] Group 4: KLA - KLA's strong fundamentals are acknowledged, with significant growth drivers from TSMC, DRAM, and advanced packaging businesses [5] - However, KLA's valuation is currently 30% higher than that of Applied Materials and Lam Research, raising concerns about the sustainability of its relative performance advantage [5] - The 2026 EPS forecast for KLA has been increased from $37.11 to $39.03, indicating recognition of its strong fundamentals [6]

Core Insights - Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) experienced a stock price increase of 5.48% on September 22, marking six consecutive days of growth with a cumulative increase of 19.50% over this period, indicating strong market interest and recognition [1] - The company has gained attention due to its collaboration with JBD and RayNeo, achieving significant advancements in full-color waveguide AR glasses display quality, particularly in the RayNeo X3 Pro glasses [1][2] - The partnership addresses traditional challenges in full-color waveguide AR glasses, such as color distortion and low image quality, by integrating MicroLED micro-displays, image quality correction, and waveguide manufacturing [1][2] Technology Developments - The first-generation AR glasses using LCoS/DLP engines faced display quality issues due to design limitations, while the second generation improved performance with smaller MicroLED engines but still struggled with display performance [2] - The introduction of etching technology in the third generation represents a major breakthrough, allowing for a single-layer full-color design that reduces lens thickness and weight while enhancing image quality [2] - Applied Materials provided single-layer etched waveguide technology, optimizing light efficiency and resolution, which supports advancements in the AR glasses market [2] Market Implications - The collaboration among Applied Materials, JBD, and RayNeo not only resolves long-standing technical challenges in the industry but also paves the way for large-scale applications of color AR waveguides [2] - The ongoing partnership aims to further enhance display quality and user experience in the consumer market, indicating potential growth opportunities for the involved companies [2]

Key Takeaways Applied Materials expects 50% DRAM revenue growth in fiscal 2025, boosting its etch business.AMAT is investing heavily in R&D while cutting G&A expenses, lifting operating margins in Q3.U.S.-China tensions, weak memory demand, and stiff competition create pressure on AMAT's growth.Applied Materials (AMAT) stock is trading far above its 52-week low. In the year-to-date period, AMAT stock has climbed 3.1% compared with the industry’s return of 34.5%.AMAT YTD Price Performance ChartImage Source: ...