Applied Materials, Inc. vs NextEra Energy, Inc. — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $530 (market cap $414.54B), while NextEra Energy, Inc. trades at $85.74 (market cap $176.68B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 2.3× NextEra Energy, Inc.'s market cap, and NextEra Energy, Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.94%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | NEE | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $414.54B | $176.68B |
Sector | Technology | Utilities |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $97.88 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $69.77 |
Enterprise Value | $413.57B | $284.01B |
Dividend Yield | 0.41% | 2.94% |
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.
NextEra Energy (NEE) trades at $84.65, showing minimal daily movement with a 0.06% gain. The stock is in a bearish technical phase, with support at $84 and resistance at $86. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q1 and Q2 2026, while Q4 2025 missed. The company benefits from strong AI-driven power demand, highlighted by a $100 billion data center project in Kentucky announced on July 29, 2026 (Reuters).
NEE offers solid fundamentals with a 32.4% net income margin and 17.23% ROE, but faces risks from high debt levels and capital expenditures. Analysts are bullish with a $101.17 consensus price target, implying 19% upside. Key opportunities include AI infrastructure growth, while risks involve execution on large projects and interest rate sensitivity.
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 →NextEra Energy's regulated utility, Florida Power & Light, distributes power to more than 5 million customers in Florida. FP&L contributes more than 60% of the group's operating earnings. The renewable energy segment generates and sells power throughout the United States and Canada. Consolidated generation capacity totals more than 50 gigawatts and includes natural gas, nuclear, wind, and solar assets.
Read more on NEE →