Applied Materials, Inc. vs Prudential PLC — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $549.59 (market cap $417.31B), while Prudential PLC trades at $27.85 (market cap $34.02B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 12.3× Prudential PLC's market cap, and Prudential PLC pays the higher dividend (1.94%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | PUK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | $34.02B |
Sector | Technology | Financials |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $33.61 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $24.98 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | $35.46B |
Dividend Yield | 0.4% | 1.94% |
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.
Prudential PLC (PUK) trades at $28.22, down 0.21% on the day, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages but a neutral oscillator stance. The stock shows strong fundamentals with a P/E of 8.92, net income margin of 14.52%, and ROE of 21.15%. Recent earnings beat expectations in Q4 2025, and cash flow from operations reached $3.61B in 2024. However, news of China taxing offshore insurance policies caused a recent sell-off, highlighting regulatory risks.
The outlook for PUK is mixed; solid profitability and low valuation metrics provide upside potential, supported by a 50% analyst buy rating. Key risks include exposure to Chinese regulatory changes and competitive pressures in Asia. Earnings growth and strategic focus on capital-light operations are catalysts, but investor sentiment remains cautious due to near-term headwinds.
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 →Prudential is an Asia and Africa health and life insurance business and is focused on long-term savings. The business is increasingly focusing on digital offerings and creating strong brand equity and relationships with customers of its products through these.
Read more on PUK →