Applied Materials, Inc. vs Illumina, Inc. — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $581.49 (market cap $478.36B), while Illumina, Inc. trades at $187.77 (market cap $28.78B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 16.6× Illumina, Inc.'s market cap, and Applied Materials, Inc. pays a 0.35% dividend while Illumina, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | ILMN | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $478.36B | $28.78B |
Sector | Technology | Health |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $194.33 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $91.00 |
Enterprise Value | $477.39B | $30.17B |
Dividend Yield | 0.35% | — |
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.
Illumina (ILMN) trades at $190.20, down 1.84% on the day but up significantly year-to-date with strong momentum. The stock shows bullish technical signals with moving averages supporting upward trends, while fundamentals reflect a turnaround with net income reaching $850 million in 2025 after previous losses. Recent news highlights product launches and leadership appointments, with the company scheduled to report Q2 2026 earnings on July 30, 2026.
The outlook remains positive with analyst consensus leaning bullish, though valuation multiples appear elevated. Key risks include competitive pressure from new entrants like Roche's Axelios sequencer and execution challenges in maintaining profitability growth. The upcoming earnings report will be critical for validating the current rally's sustainability.
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 →Illumina provides tools and services to analyze genetic material with life science and clinical lab applications. The company generates over 90% of its revenue from sequencing instruments, consumables, and services. Illumina's high-throughput technology enables whole genome sequencing in humans and other large organisms. Its lower throughput tools enable applications that require smaller data outputs, such as viral and cancer tumor screening. Illumina also sells microarrays (less than 10% of sales) that enable lower-cost, focused genetic screening with primarily consumer and agricultural applications.
Read more on ILMN →