AFLAC Incorporated vs Applied Materials, Inc. — how do they compare? AFLAC Incorporated trades at $120.78 (market cap $60.70B), while Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $552.1 (market cap $417.31B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 6.9× AFLAC Incorporated's market cap, and AFLAC Incorporated pays the higher dividend (2.02%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AFL | AMAT | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $60.70B | $417.31B |
Sector | Financials | Technology |
52-Week High | $129.55 | $723.00 |
52-Week Low | $103.55 | $156.25 |
Enterprise Value | $70.65B | $416.34B |
Dividend Yield | 2.02% | 0.4% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AFL trades at $121.09, down 0.7% on the day, with a bullish overall technical signal but bearish moving averages and oscillators. The stock shows strong profitability with a 26.59% net income margin and 16.91% ROE, though recent quarters have seen EPS misses. Revenue declined to $17.36B in 2025, with net income of $3.65B. Recent news highlights AFL's rebranding of network services and ongoing dividend commitments.
Outlook is mixed; solid fundamentals and a 43-year dividend growth history support income investors, but near-term headwinds include revenue pressure in Japan and FX impacts. Analyst consensus is cautious with a $118 price target below current levels, suggesting limited upside amid execution risks and competitive pressures.
Applied Materials (AMAT) trades at $522.12, down 3.16% on the day, amid a neutral technical signal with support at $510 and resistance at $546. The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates in recent quarters, with Q1 2026 EPS of $2.86 surpassing the $2.68 forecast. Strong profitability is evident with a net margin of 29.31% and ROE of 39.69%, though valuation ratios like a P/E of 49.45 are elevated. Recent news highlights robust AI-driven demand in semiconductor equipment, with CEO Gary Dickerson calling it the industry's strongest period ever (CNBC, 2026-05-28).
The outlook remains positive given analyst consensus with a $662.82 price target and 76.9% buy ratings, but risks include high valuation sensitivity and cyclical semiconductor capital spending. Revenue growth to $29.0B in 2026 with a projected 29.31% net margin supports upside, though investors should monitor competitive pressures and macroeconomic impacts on tech spending.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
Aflac Inc offers supplemental health insurance and life insurance in the two largest insurance markets in the world, the U.S. and Japan. In addition to its cancer policies, the company has broadened its product offerings to include accidents, disability, and long-term-care insurance. It markets its products through independent distributors, selling most of its policies directly to consumers at their places of work.
Read more on AFL →Applied Materials is the world's largest supplier of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, providing materials engineering solutions to help make nearly every chip in the world. The firm's systems are used in nearly every major process step with the exception of lithography. Key tools include those for chemical and physical vapor deposition, etching, chemical mechanical polishing, wafer- and reticle-inspection, critical dimension measurement, and defect-inspection scanning electron microscopes.
Read more on AMAT →