Applied Materials, Inc. vs Alliant Energy Corporation — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $550.92 (market cap $417.31B), while Alliant Energy Corporation trades at $69.65 (market cap $17.78B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 23.5× Alliant Energy Corporation's market cap, and Alliant Energy Corporation pays the higher dividend (3.12%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | LNT | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | $17.78B |
Sector | Technology | Utilities |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $78.03 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $63.62 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | $29.88B |
Dividend Yield | 0.4% | 3.12% |
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.
Alliant Energy (LNT) trades at $68.21, down 1.67% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but bullish oscillators. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $0.65, beating estimates, and reaffirmed full-year guidance. Revenue grew to $4.36B in 2025, with net income margin at 18.45%. Analyst consensus is a Buy with a $77.67 price target, indicating potential upside. Recent news highlights institutional activity, including Assenagon Asset Management increasing its stake by 339.9% as of August 12, 2026.
LNT presents a stable investment opportunity with consistent earnings beats and a dividend yield, but faces risks from rising debt levels and bearish technical trends. The stock's valuation metrics, including a P/E of 21.7, are reasonable for the utilities sector. Upside is supported by analyst targets, while headwinds include higher interest costs and competitive pressures.
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 →Alliant Energy is the parent of two regulated utilities, Interstate Power and Light and Wisconsin Power and Light, serving nearly 1 million electricity and natural gas customers and approximately 420,000 natural gas-only customers. Both subsidiaries engage in the generation and distribution of electricity and the distribution and transportation of natural gas. Alliant also owns a 16% interest in American Transmission Co.
Read more on LNT →