Applied Materials, Inc. vs Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $549.25 (market cap $417.31B), while Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation trades at $77 (market cap $9.45B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 44.2× Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation's market cap, and Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corporation pays the higher dividend (3%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | BAH | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | $9.45B |
Sector | Technology | Industrials |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $111.63 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $59.71 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | $13.07B |
Dividend Yield | 0.4% | 3% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
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.
Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) trades at $77.9, up 2.43% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong earnings beats in recent quarters. The stock shows robust profitability with a 7.01% net margin and 68.11% ROE, supported by $11.98B revenue in 2025. Analysts maintain a Buy consensus with a $84.67 price target, citing government contracts and AI investments as growth drivers, though debt levels and civil revenue weakness pose concerns.
The outlook for BAH is positive due to consistent earnings outperformance and strategic focus on national security and cybersecurity. Investment appeal lies in its discounted valuation (P/E 12.33) and dividend yield, but risks include high leverage (debt-to-asset 54.67%) and reliance on government spending, which could impact growth if budget pressures arise.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp is a provider of management consulting services to the U.S. government. Other services offered include technology, such as cloud computing and cybersecurity consulting, and engineering consulting. The consulting services are focused on defense, intelligence, and civil markets. In addition to the U.S. government, Booz Allen Hamilton provides its management and technology consulting services to large corporations, institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The company assists clients in long-term engagements around the globe.
Read more on BAH →