How Is Applied Materials’ Stock Performance Compared to Other Semiconductor Stocks?

Core Viewpoint - Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) is a leading player in the semiconductor equipment and materials industry, demonstrating strong financial performance and stock price appreciation, driven by the adoption of AI and investments in advanced semiconductor technologies [1][5]. Company Overview - Applied Materials, Inc. is based in Santa Clara, California, and provides manufacturing equipment, services, and software to the semiconductor and display industries, with a market capitalization of $184 billion [1][2]. - The company operates through three segments: Semiconductor Systems, Applied Global Services, and Display and Adjacent Markets [1]. Stock Performance - AMAT stock reached a 52-week high of $244.62 recently and has increased by 49.7% over the past three months, significantly outperforming the iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX), which gained 14.1% in the same period [3]. - Year-to-date, AMAT stock has risen by 49.1%, and over the past 52 weeks, it has increased by 38.9%, again surpassing SOXX's gains of 31.6% and 29.9%, respectively [4]. - The stock has consistently traded above its 50-day and 200-day moving averages since mid-September, indicating a bullish trend [4]. Financial Performance - For fiscal 2025, Applied Materials reported net revenues of $28.4 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 4.4% [5]. - The adjusted earnings per share (EPS) rose by 8.9% year-over-year to $9.42, slightly exceeding consensus estimates [5]. Analyst Ratings - Among 34 analysts covering AMAT, the consensus rating is a "Moderate Buy," although the stock is currently trading above the mean price target of $239 [6].