Applied Materials, Inc. vs Kimberly Clark Corp — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $549.68 (market cap $417.31B), while Kimberly Clark Corp trades at $108.49 (market cap $36.11B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 11.6× Kimberly Clark Corp's market cap, and Kimberly Clark Corp pays the higher dividend (4.72%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | KMB | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | $36.11B |
Sector | Technology | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $134.81 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $93.05 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | $41.67B |
Dividend Yield | 0.4% | 4.72% |
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.
Kimberly-Clark (KMB) trades at $108.02, down 1.51% today, with a bearish technical signal and mixed fundamentals. Recent Q2 2026 earnings missed expectations, prompting a lowered 2026 outlook due to China diaper market weakness and North American volatility. The company maintains strong profitability with a net income margin of 11.79% and a high ROE of 129.43%, but faces revenue pressure with 2025 sales at $16.45B, down from prior years. Dividend payments remain steady at $1.28 per share, supporting income investors.
KMB presents a cautious outlook with near-term headwinds overshadowing long-term strengths. Investment opportunities include a discounted valuation relative to historical levels and a reliable dividend yield. Key risks involve execution challenges in China, competitive pressures, and macroeconomic sensitivity. Analyst consensus is mixed, with a $113.20 price target suggesting modest upside, but investors should weigh operational uncertainties against the company's brand resilience and cost-saving initiatives.
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 →With around half of sales from personal care and another third from tissue products, Kimberly-Clark sits as a leading manufacturer of tissue and hygiene realm. Its brand mix includes Huggies, Pull-Ups, Kotex, Depend, Kleenex, and Cottonelle. The firm also operates K-C Professional, which partners with businesses to provide safety and sanitary products for the workplace. Kimberly-Clark generates just over of half its sales in North America and more than 10% in Europe, with the rest primarily concentrated in Asia and Latin America.
Read more on KMB →