Applied Materials, Inc. vs First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $536.9 (market cap $414.54B), while First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF trades at $100.38. The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. pays a 0.41% dividend while First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF pays none, and First Trust NASDAQ Cybersecurity ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Applied Materials, Inc. nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | CIBR | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $414.54B | — |
Sector | Technology | — |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $100.60 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $60.74 |
Enterprise Value | $413.57B | — |
Dividend Yield | 0.41% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Applied Materials (AMAT) trades at $525.61, down 2.51% on the day, amid a neutral technical signal with key support at $510 and resistance at $546. The company shows strong fundamentals with a 29.31% net income margin and consistent earnings beats, including Q1 2026 EPS of $2.86 versus $2.68 expected. Recent news highlights CEO Gary Dickerson's optimism on AI-driven semiconductor demand, calling it the 'greatest time in the history of the industry' (CNBC, 2026-05-28).
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $662.82, implying 26% upside, supported by 76.9% analyst buy ratings. Risks include high valuation multiples like a P/E of 49.12 and cyclical semiconductor equipment demand. The stock offers growth exposure to AI infrastructure but faces volatility from tech sector shifts.
CIBR, the First Trust Nasdaq Cybersecurity ETF, trades at $97.85, up 1.51% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The ETF has shown strong performance, reportedly outperforming the S&P 500 by three to one year-to-date as of June 5, 2026 (24/7 Wall Street). Recent news highlights institutional activity, including Bank of America reducing its stake while First Trust Advisors increased its position.
The outlook for CIBR is positive, driven by growing cybersecurity spending exceeding $300 billion in 2026 and AI-driven demand. Risks include high concentration in tech stocks and market volatility. Analyst sentiment is optimistic, with upgrades citing reasonable valuations and secular growth trends.
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 →The fund will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets (including investment borrowings) in the common stocks and depositary receipts that comprise the index. The index includes securities of companies classified as cyber security companies. The fund is non-diversified.
Read more on CIBR →