Applied Materials, Inc. vs First Citizens BancShares Inc — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $572.48 (market cap $478.36B), while First Citizens BancShares Inc trades at $2,096.54 (market cap $23.94B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 20× First Citizens BancShares Inc's market cap, and First Citizens BancShares Inc pays the higher dividend (0.4%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | FCNCA | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $478.36B | $23.94B |
Sector | Technology | Sector/Thematic |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $2.20K |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $1.64K |
Enterprise Value | $477.39B | — |
Dividend Yield | 0.35% | 0.4% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Applied Materials (AMAT) trades at $602.50, up 2.35% recently, with strong technical support near $573 and resistance at $617. The company demonstrates robust fundamentals, including a 29.31% net income margin and consistent earnings beats, while benefiting from AI-driven semiconductor demand highlighted in recent CEO commentary (CNBC, 2026-05-28).
Outlook remains positive given analyst consensus of $644.33 price target and 76.9% buy ratings, though elevated P/E of 56.68 poses valuation risk. Key opportunities include AI infrastructure growth, while risks involve cyclical semiconductor demand and execution challenges in scaling operations.
First Citizens BancShares (FCNCA) trades at $2,092.59, up 0.46% on the day, with a bearish technical signal but bullish moving averages. The company reported strong Q1 2026 earnings of $44.86 per share, beating estimates, and maintains a net income margin of 24.35%. Recent news highlights expansion in commercial banking and a planned rebrand of Silicon Valley Bank operations. Valuation ratios include a P/E of 12.07 and P/B of 1.2, suggesting reasonable pricing relative to earnings and book value.
The outlook for FCNCA is mixed, with solid profitability and earnings beats offset by margin pressure and credit risks. Analysts are predominantly neutral (82% hold), with a consensus price target of $2,320. Key risks include deposit volatility in tech-exposed segments and competitive pressures, while opportunities lie in continued operational execution and strategic expansions.
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 →First Citizens BancShares is a major US regional bank providing diverse financial services. It recently expanded significantly by acquiring the assets and liabilities of Silicon Valley Bank.
Read more on FCNCA →