Applied Materials, Inc. vs First Solar, Inc. — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $549.99 (market cap $435.21B), while First Solar, Inc. trades at $227.11 (market cap $25.89B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 16.8× First Solar, Inc.'s market cap, and Applied Materials, Inc. pays a 0.39% dividend while First Solar, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | FSLR | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $435.21B | $25.89B |
Sector | Technology | Technology |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $318.30 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $180.05 |
Enterprise Value | $434.24B | $24.36B |
Dividend Yield | 0.39% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
AMAT trades at $525.61, up 0.67% in the last session, with a neutral technical signal and strong fundamentals. Recent earnings consistently beat expectations, with Q1 2026 EPS of $2.86 surpassing the $2.68 estimate. The stock benefits from robust profitability, including a 48.96% gross margin and 29.31% net margin, amid AI-driven semiconductor demand highlighted by CEO Gary Dickerson on CNBC on May 28, 2026.
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $662.82, implying 26% upside, supported by 40 buy ratings and no sells. Risks include high valuation multiples like a P/E of 49.45 and cyclical semiconductor exposure, but growth in AI and data center investments offers significant opportunity.
First Solar (FSLR) trades at $228.27, down 4.62% on the day, amid mixed signals. The stock shows a bullish technical trend with strong moving averages, though RSI levels suggest potential overbought conditions. Fundamentally, the company reported robust revenue growth to $5.22B in 2025, with a net income margin of 29.27%, while recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 and Q2 2026. However, multiple class-action lawsuits filed in August 2026 create near-term legal overhang.
The outlook remains positive given analyst consensus favoring a buy rating with a $282.07 price target, implying significant upside. Key risks include legal proceedings and competitive pressures in the solar sector. Earnings growth and operational cash flow strength support long-term value, but investors should weigh legal uncertainties against fundamental strengths.
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 Solar designs and manufactures solar photovoltaic panels, modules, and systems for use in utility-scale development projects. The company's solar modules use cadmium telluride to convert sunlight into electricity. This is commonly called thin-film technology. First Solar is the world's largest thin-film solar module manufacturer. It has production lines in Vietnam, Malaysia, the United States, and a new factory under construction in India.
Read more on FSLR →