Applied Materials, Inc. vs McCormick & Company, Incorporated — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $552.55 (market cap $417.31B), while McCormick & Company, Incorporated trades at $52.95 (market cap $14.22B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 29.3× McCormick & Company, Incorporated's market cap, and McCormick & Company, Incorporated pays the higher dividend (3.63%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | MKC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | $14.22B |
Sector | Technology | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $72.26 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $45.60 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | $18.82B |
Dividend Yield | 0.4% | 3.63% |
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.
McCormick & Company (MKC) trades at $53.10, down slightly by 0.06% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but overbought RSI readings. The stock shows strong fundamentals with a P/E of 8.8, net income margin of 21.91%, and consistent earnings beats. Recent news highlights the transformative $65 billion Unilever Foods merger planned for 2027, driving positive sentiment and a consensus price target of $59.67.
MKC presents a compelling investment case with undervalued metrics and strategic growth from the Unilever deal, though risks include integration challenges and soft consumer volumes. Analysts are mixed but lean bullish, with 36.67% buy ratings. The stock offers a solid dividend and upside potential, but investors should monitor merger execution and volume trends.
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 →In its 130-year history, McCormick has grown to become the leading global manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of spices, herbs, extracts, seasonings, and other flavorings. Beyond end consumers, McCormick's customer base also includes top quick-service restaurants, retail grocery chains, and other packaged food and beverage manufacturers, with about 30% of sales generated beyond its home turf to include 150 other countries and territories. In addition to its namesake brand, the firm's portfolio includes Old Bay, Zatarain's, Thai Kitchen, Frank's RedHot, French's, and the recently acquired Cholula brand.
Read more on MKC →