AMAT Stock Is Up 35% In A Month: Does It Have More Room To Run?

Core Viewpoint - Applied Materials (AMAT) demonstrates strong operational performance and financial health, leading to a conclusion that the stock is fairly priced despite its high valuation [2][4]. Valuation - AMAT's valuation appears high compared to the broader market, indicating a need for careful evaluation [5]. Growth - The company has experienced moderate growth, with an average revenue growth rate of 4.4% over the past three years and a 6.6% increase in revenues from $27 billion to $29 billion over the last 12 months [6]. Profitability - AMAT's operating income for the last 12 months was $8.6 billion, resulting in an operating margin of 30.1%. The company generated nearly $7.7 billion in operating cash flow, with a cash flow margin of 26.9% and a net income of approximately $6.8 billion, reflecting a net margin of 23.9% [9]. Financial Stability - The company has a debt of $6.8 billion against a market capitalization of $176 billion, resulting in a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.8%. AMAT holds $7.0 billion in cash, which is 20.5% of its total assets of $34 billion [9]. Downturn Resilience - AMAT has historically underperformed compared to the S&P 500 during economic downturns, with significant declines observed during the 2022 inflation shock, the 2020 COVID pandemic, and the 2008 global financial crisis. The stock has shown a tendency to fully rebound to pre-crisis peaks after substantial declines [7][9].