Applied Materials, Inc. vs McDonald's Corp — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $530.08 (market cap $414.54B), while McDonald's Corp trades at $274.11 (market cap $193.70B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 2.1× McDonald's Corp's market cap, and McDonald's Corp pays the higher dividend (2.72%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | MCD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $414.54B | $193.70B |
Sector | Technology | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $341.06 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $262.80 |
Enterprise Value | $413.57B | $247.47B |
Dividend Yield | 0.41% | 2.72% |
Volume | — | 2,230,036 |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Applied Materials (AMAT) trades at $525.61, down 2.51% on the day, amid a neutral technical signal with key support at $510 and resistance at $546. The company shows strong fundamentals with a 29.31% net income margin and consistent earnings beats, including Q1 2026 EPS of $2.86 versus $2.68 expected. Recent news highlights CEO Gary Dickerson's optimism on AI-driven semiconductor demand, calling it the 'greatest time in the history of the industry' (CNBC, 2026-05-28).
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $662.82, implying 26% upside, supported by 76.9% analyst buy ratings. Risks include high valuation multiples like a P/E of 49.12 and cyclical semiconductor equipment demand. The stock offers growth exposure to AI infrastructure but faces volatility from tech sector shifts.
McDonald's (MCD) trades at $274.15, down slightly by 0.12% on the day, with technical indicators showing a neutral overall signal. The company demonstrates strong fundamentals with consistent revenue growth, reaching $26.89 billion in 2025, and robust profitability with a 31.72% net income margin. Recent earnings have consistently beaten expectations, and the company has announced a new global growth strategy focused on automation and menu innovation to drive future performance.
The outlook for MCD is positive, supported by strong analyst consensus with a $322.45 price target implying significant upside. Key opportunities include the successful execution of its new growth plan and its defensive qualities in a challenging economy. Primary risks involve inflationary pressures on franchisee margins and intense competition in the quick-service restaurant sector.
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 →McDonald's Corporation franchises and operates fast-food restaurants in the global restaurant industry. The Company's restaurants serves a variety of value-priced menu products in countries around the world.
Read more on MCD →