Applied Materials, Inc. vs iShares Self-Driving EV and Tech — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $553.75 (market cap $417.31B), while iShares Self-Driving EV and Tech trades at $37.18. The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. pays a 0.4% dividend while iShares Self-Driving EV and Tech pays none, and Applied Materials, Inc. is trading nearer its 52-week high, iShares Self-Driving EV and Tech nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | IDRV | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | — |
Sector | Technology | Sector/Thematic |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $45.48 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $34.49 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | — |
Dividend Yield | 0.4% | — |
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.
IDRV trades at $37.24, down 0.35% on the day, with a bullish technical signal driven by moving averages. The stock is positioned near its pivot point of $37, with key resistance at $38 and support at $36. Recent news highlights strong global EV sales growth and China's ambitious 2030 fleet target, supporting the thematic focus of the fund.
The outlook for IDRV is supported by positive industry trends in electric vehicles, though the absence of key valuation and profitability ratios limits fundamental assessment. Risks include competitive pressures and regulatory changes, while analyst sentiment is mixed with a slight bullish bias. The stock's performance remains tied to broader EV market dynamics.
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 →IDRV invests in global companies at the forefront of self-driving and electric vehicle innovation. It provides exposure to the full EV value chain, including battery technology and autonomous systems, with top holdings like Albemarle, Rivian, and Tesla.
Read more on IDRV →