Applied Materials, IncNasdaq: AMAT
Information Technology · Semiconductor Materials & Equipment
$389.63
-1.23%
Vol: 3.0M
Research Digest
Friday, May 1, 2026
Applied Materials reported strong Q1 earnings beating estimates but stock declined 2.9% on U.S.-China AI tensions, though BofA raised price target to $465
Applied Materials posted Q1 EPS of $2.38 (beat $2.21 estimate) and revenue of $7.01B (beat $6.88B), driven by AI demand and strong customer support segments. BofA raised price target from $420 to $465 on April 28. However, stock fell 2.9% amid geopolitical friction over AI technology between U.S. and China, which threatens exports. The company is in discussions with Elon Musk's Terafab for AI chip project supplies. Stock has climbed 50.2% YTD.
Previous Market Intelligence
13 daysApr 30BofA raises AMAT price target to $465 despite semiconductor geopolitical headwinds and US-China AI tensionsMixed▶
Applied Materials experienced a 3.4% stock decline amid US-China tensions over AI technology exports, offsetting positive fundamentals. BofA raised its price target to $465 from $420 on April 28, citing strong Q1 results and robust AI-driven semiconductor demand. AMAT beat Q1 estimates with guidance pointing to continued DRAM momentum driven by AI memory needs. The company partnered with SK hynix and Micron on advanced memory R&D and announced Advantest as EPIC platform partner. US Commerce Department letters restrict equipment shipments to Hua Hong. Despite valuation concerns and export restrictions, strong underlying semiconductor market supports recovery potential.
Apr 29Applied Materials Beats Q1 on AI Spending; Analyst Raises PT to $465 Amid China CurbsPositive▶
Applied Materials delivered Q1 earnings of $2.38/share vs. $2.21 forecast, with revenue of $7.01B beating $6.88B estimate. Q2 guidance: $2.44-$2.84 EPS. BofA raised PT to $465 from $420 on April 28, while KeyCorp, Barclays, and TD Cowen lifted targets to $450. Erste Group upgraded to Buy. Stock fell 2.9% on geopolitical tensions with China, though AMAT up 50.2% YTD. Company exploring Terafab AI chip supply partnership with Elon Musk's team.
Apr 16Applied Materials hits all-time high of $399.50 on April 10 after launching advanced angstrom-era deposition systems, raising dividend 15% to $0.53Positive▶
Applied Materials achieved an all-time high closing price of $399.50 on April 10, 2026, following blockbuster Q1 results and upbeat Q2 guidance. The company introduced two advanced chipmaking systems (Precision Selective Nitride PECVD and Trillium ALD) designed for angstrom-era logic chips, enabling atomic-level precision for AI infrastructure buildout. Applied Materials raised quarterly dividend 15% to $0.53 per share and projects over 20% growth in its semiconductor equipment business for 2026. Stock has returned 174.5% over the past year and 47.2% year-to-date. Multiple analyst firms raised price targets with consensus now at $422, including Susquehanna $500 target.
Apr 15Applied Materials launches advanced AI chip deposition systems, reaching all-time high as semiconductor demand surgesPositive▶
Applied Materials reached all-time high of $407.29 on April 10 following launch of two advanced deposition systems for 2nm Gate All Around AI chips. Stock gained 11.7% in 7 days and 174.5% over the past year. Susquehanna raised target to $500; B. Riley raised to $485. Company expects over 20% growth in semiconductor-equipment revenue.
Apr 14Applied Materials surges 8% on next-gen 2nm chipmaking systems with atomic-level precisionPositive▶
Introduced advanced deposition systems for 2nm GAA logic on April 8. Stock surged 8% to all-time high $399.50. B. Riley raised PT to $485, Susquehanna to $500.
Apr 13Applied Materials launches advanced 2nm chipmaking systems; raises dividend 15%Positive▶
Applied Materials introduced Precision Selective Nitride PECVD and Trillium ALD platforms for 2nm and angstrom-era AI chips on April 8, 2026, driving 8% intraday surge. Raised quarterly dividend by 15% in March. Announced long-term R&D partnerships with SK hynix and Micron for next-gen AI memory innovation. Stock up 45% YTD.
Apr 10Applied Materials surges 8.9% on new atomic-scale tools for 2nm AI chips; Goldman Sachs rates Buy.Positive▶
Applied Materials jumped 8.87% after unveiling new chipmaking systems for Gate-All-Around transistor architectures at the 2nm node. Q1 results EPS of $2.38 beat estimates of $2.21, revenue of $7.01B vs $6.88B expected. Board approved 15% dividend increase to $0.53 quarterly. Goldman Sachs rates AMAT as Buy with incremental upside expected.
Apr 9Applied Materials Surges 8% on New Angstrom-Era Chipmaking SystemsPositive▶
Applied Materials unveiled two breakthrough deposition systems—Precision Selective Nitride PECVD and Trillium ALD—for 2nm and angstrom-era logic chips, driving an 8.7% stock surge. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 15%, signaling confidence in the AI memory supercycle. Strategic partnerships with SK hynix and Micron accelerate AI memory innovation. Shares are up nearly 45% year-to-date, positioning AMAT as a key enabler for next-generation semiconductors.
Apr 8Applied Materials raised to Strong Buy on earnings beat; Cantor raises PT to $500.Positive▶
Applied Materials beat earnings expectations and secured regulatory closure from US Department of Commerce. Stock at $352.62, raised to Zacks Rank #1. Cantor Fitzgerald raised price target to $500 from $470 on March 30. Bernstein reaffirmed Buy April 6. 29 analysts recommend Buy. Projecting 20%+ growth in semi equipment for 2026.
Apr 7Applied Materials beats earnings; guidance projects 20% growth in semiconductor equipment amid regulatory resolution.Positive▶
Applied Materials reported Q2 EPS of $2.38 (beat $2.21 consensus) with revenue of $7.01 billion (beat $6.88B). Company projects over 20% growth in semiconductor equipment for 2026 and closed U.S. Department of Commerce investigation. Partnered with Micron on next-generation AI memory and long-term R&D partnership with SK hynix. Shares up 7.3% past month vs S&P down 3.3%. Deutsche Bank reaffirmed Buy with $450 price target. Goldman Sachs raised target to $390 from $310 with Buy rating. Average 12-month price target of $418.28 from 29 Buy, 0 Sell ratings. Dividend increased to $0.53 from $0.46. AMAT trades at $352.62, May 14 earnings.
Apr 6Applied Materials settles DOC investigation for $252.5M; Q1 EPS beat, dividend +15%.Positive▶
Applied Materials settled Commerce Department civil investigation ($252.5M) over China shipments Nov 2020-July 2022; DOJ/SEC closed without action. Q1 FY2026 EPS $2.38 beat; revenue $7B. Board approved 15% dividend increase. SK Hynix long-term R&D collab announced.
Apr 3Applied Materials surged 13% post-earnings with strong FQ1 results and guides 20%+ semiconductor equipment growth for 2026.Positive▶
Applied Materials reported fiscal Q1 2026 adjusted EPS of $2.38 (vs. $2.19 consensus) and revenue of $7.01 billion, driving a 13% share surge. The company guides FQ2 revenue of $7.15-$8.15 billion and adjusted EPS of $2.44-$2.84, both above consensus. Management cited continued AI-driven demand for leading-edge logic, high-bandwidth memory, and advanced packaging. Despite a $252 million China penalty, the company maintains a confident outlook.
Apr 1Applied Materials Q1 FY2026 earnings beat expectations with $2.38 EPS; board approves 15% dividend increase amid semiconductor equipment demand.Mixed▶
Applied Materials surpassed Q1 FY2026 EPS expectations with $2.38 vs. forecasted $2.21, though stock declined 3.38% post-earnings as investors reacted to outlook. The company reported $7B in Q1 revenue with slight 2% year-over-year decline. Samsung Electronics will join the new multibillion-dollar EPIC Center in Silicon Valley. The board approved a 15% increase in quarterly cash dividend.
Sector Peers
| Company | Price | Day | 1M | Fwd P/E | Beta | Mkt Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LRCXLAM | $257.03 | -0.32% | +16.9% | 32.7x | 1.79 | $322.5B |
| AMATAPPLIED | $389.63 | -1.23% | +11.9% | 28.0x | 1.64 | $313.1B |
| KLACKLA | $1,726.75 | -1.35% | +13.7% | 36.3x | 1.44 | $230.0B |
| TERTERADYNE | $345.65 | +0.63% | +8.9% | 36.3x | 1.79 | $53.8B |
| QQNITY | $143.40 | +1.94% | +18.3% | 32.1x | — | $29.5B |
| NVDANVIDIA | $198.66 | -0.46% | +12.3% | 17.8x | 2.33 | $4.85T |
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