Applied Materials, Inc. vs Intuitive Surgical, Inc. — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $549.68 (market cap $417.31B), while Intuitive Surgical, Inc. trades at $401.38 (market cap $141.75B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 2.9× Intuitive Surgical, Inc.'s market cap, and Applied Materials, Inc. pays a 0.4% dividend while Intuitive Surgical, Inc. pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | ISRG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | $141.75B |
Sector | Technology | Health |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $592.85 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $332.02 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | $136.53B |
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.
Intuitive Surgical (ISRG) trades at $403.95, up 2.69% on the day, reflecting strong momentum. The stock exhibits bullish technical signals with support at $398 and resistance at $403. Fundamentally, revenue grew to $10.06B in 2025 with a net income margin of 28.45%, though valuation ratios like a P/E of 46.01 suggest premium pricing. Recent quarters show consistent earnings beats, with Q2 2026 EPS of $2.80 exceeding expectations. News highlights analyst upgrades and robust adoption of the da Vinci 5 system.
Outlook remains positive driven by innovation and market expansion, but high valuation and competitive pressures pose risks. The consensus price target of $518.10 implies significant upside, supported by 68% buy ratings from analysts. Key risks include reliance on U.S. procedure growth and rising competition from Medtronic and Johnson & Johnson. Long-term growth prospects appear solid if execution continues.
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 →Intuitive Surgical develops, produces, and markets a robotic system for assisting minimally invasive surgery. It also provides the instrumentation, disposable accessories, and warranty services for the system. The company has placed nearly 7,000 da Vinci systems in hospitals worldwide, with more than 4,000 installations in the United States and a growing number in emerging markets.
Read more on ISRG →