Applied Materials, Inc. vs QUALCOMM, Inc. — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $531.05 (market cap $414.54B), while QUALCOMM, Inc. trades at $163.9 (market cap $170.28B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 2.4× QUALCOMM, Inc.'s market cap, and QUALCOMM, Inc. pays the higher dividend (2.27%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | QCOM | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $414.54B | $170.28B |
Sector | Technology | Technology |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $251.10 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $124.07 |
Enterprise Value | $413.57B | $177.24B |
Dividend Yield | 0.41% | 2.27% |
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.
Qualcomm (QCOM) trades at $162.68, down 3.09% amid broader semiconductor sector pressure. The stock shows mixed signals with bearish technical indicators but strong fundamentals including recent earnings beats and a 21.01% net income margin. Recent news highlights Qualcomm's strategic pivot toward AI and data centers, though competition from Nvidia's new PC chip has sparked investor concerns. The company maintains solid cash flow generation of $14.01B from operations in 2025 and continues dividend payments.
Qualcomm presents a compelling value opportunity with a P/E of 18.53 below sector averages, supported by analyst consensus price target of $200.56 implying 23% upside. Key risks include smartphone market softness and intensifying AI competition. The company's diversification into automotive and data centers provides growth catalysts, though execution risks remain. Current levels offer attractive entry for long-term investors seeking exposure to semiconductor and AI infrastructure.
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 →Qualcomm develops and licenses wireless technology and designs chips for smartphones. The company's key patents revolve around CDMA and OFDMA technologies, which are standards in wireless communications that are the backbone of all 3G and 4G networks. The firm is a leader in 5G network technology as well. Qualcomm's IP is licensed by virtually all wireless device makers. The firm is also the world's largest wireless chip vendor, supplying nearly every premier handset maker with leading-edge processors. Qualcomm also sells RF-front end modules into smartphones and chips into automotive and Internet of Things markets.
Read more on QCOM →