Applied Materials, Inc. vs Duke Energy Corp — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $552.73 (market cap $417.31B), while Duke Energy Corp trades at $123.34 (market cap $96.05B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 4.3× Duke Energy Corp's market cap, and Duke Energy Corp pays the higher dividend (3.52%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | DUK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | $96.05B |
Sector | Technology | Utilities |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $133.46 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $113.99 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | $188.56B |
Dividend Yield | 0.4% | 3.52% |
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.
Duke Energy (DUK) trades at $122.97, up 1.46% today, with a bearish technical signal but strong fundamentals. Recent earnings beat estimates for three consecutive quarters, with Q2 2026 EPS at $1.43 versus $1.30 expected. The company maintains solid profitability, with a net income margin of 15.78% and ROE of 10.01%. Cash flow trends show consistent operational strength, though investing outflows remain high due to infrastructure spending.
The outlook is mixed: analyst consensus is a Buy with a $136.17 price target, but technical indicators signal near-term caution. Key risks include regulatory scrutiny and high debt levels, while opportunities lie in data-center demand growth and dividend stability. Investors should weigh strong fundamentals against bearish technicals and macroeconomic headwinds.
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 →Duke Energy is one of the largest U.S. utilities, with regulated utilities in the Carolinas, Indiana, Florida, Ohio, and Kentucky that deliver electricity to nearly 8 million customers. Its natural gas utilities serve more than 1.5 million customers. Duke operates in three major segments: electric utilities and infrastructure
Read more on DUK →