Semiconductor Stock Pops on Upgrade, Price-Target Hike

Core Viewpoint - Applied Materials Inc (NASDAQ:AMAT) has received an upgrade to "buy" from "neutral" by UBS, with a new price target raised to $285 from $250, reflecting a more optimistic outlook for wafer fab equipment [1] Group 1: Stock Performance - AMAT's stock is currently trading at $235.81, showing an increase of 1.7% [1] - The stock has outperformed in 2025, with a notable increase of 44.7% [2] - Following a brief pullback after earnings on November 14, the stock has regained momentum, supported by the 50-day moving average [2] Group 2: Analyst Sentiment - Analysts are divided on AMAT, with 16 out of 35 brokerages recommending a "hold," indicating potential for further upgrades in the near future [1] Group 3: Options Market - Options for AMAT are currently considered affordable, with a Schaeffer's Volatility Index (SVI) of 42%, ranking in the 24th annual percentile [3] - The stock tends to outperform options traders' volatility estimates, as indicated by a Schaeffer's Volatility Scorecard (SVS) of 93 out of 100 [3]