Applied Materials, Inc. vs Howmet Aerospace Inc — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $556.46 (market cap $417.31B), while Howmet Aerospace Inc trades at $282.7 (market cap $112.20B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 3.7× Howmet Aerospace Inc's market cap, and Applied Materials, Inc. pays the higher dividend (0.4%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | HWM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | $112.20B |
Sector | Technology | Industrials |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $291.28 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $171.00 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | $116.30B |
Dividend Yield | 0.4% | 0.2% |
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.
Howmet Aerospace (HWM) trades at $281.63, down 0.73% on the day, with strong technical support at $279 and resistance at $285. The company has consistently beaten earnings estimates, with Q2 2026 EPS of $1.33 exceeding expectations by 7.3%, driven by robust aerospace and defense demand. Analyst consensus remains strongly bullish with 84% buy ratings and a $334.63 price target, representing 19% upside potential.
Outlook remains positive with raised 2026 guidance and strong cash flow generation, though elevated valuation multiples (P/E 60.63) and significant capital expenditures present risks. The stock offers growth exposure to aerospace recovery but faces execution risks amid capacity expansion plans and supply chain challenges.
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 →Howmet Aerospace provides advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. It specializes in jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, and forged aluminum wheels.
Read more on HWM →