Applied Materials, Inc. vs Becton Dickinson and Co — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $548 (market cap $417.31B), while Becton Dickinson and Co trades at $179 (market cap $49.41B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 8.4× Becton Dickinson and Co's market cap, and Becton Dickinson and Co pays the higher dividend (2.32%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | BDX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | $49.41B |
Sector | Technology | Health |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $185.39 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $138.62 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | $65.51B |
Dividend Yield | 0.4% | 2.32% |
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.
BDX trades at $179.63, up 1.57% with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages. The company reported strong Q3 2026 earnings, beating estimates with $3.23 EPS versus $3.14 expected, and raised full-year guidance. Revenue growth remains steady at 4.4% FX-neutral, though margins face pressure from tariffs. Analysts maintain a mixed consensus with 47% buy ratings and a $183 price target, suggesting modest upside from current levels.
The stock presents a balanced opportunity with solid fundamentals and dividend stability, but faces headwinds from margin compression and competitive pressures. Near-term catalysts include continued execution on growth initiatives, while risks include tariff impacts and healthcare regulatory changes. The current valuation at 31.39 P/E appears fair given growth prospects.
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 →Becton, Dickinson is the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of medical surgical products, such as needles, syringes, and sharps-disposal units. The company also manufactures diagnostic instruments and reagents, as well as flow cytometry and cell-imaging systems. BD Interventional (largely the former Bard business) accounts for 23% of revenue. International revenue accounts for 44% of the company's business.
Read more on BDX →