Applied Materials, Inc. vs Rockwell Automation — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $552.48 (market cap $417.31B), while Rockwell Automation trades at $450.33 (market cap $49.64B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 8.4× Rockwell Automation's market cap, and Rockwell Automation pays the higher dividend (1.23%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | ROK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | $49.64B |
Sector | Technology | Industrials |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $495.08 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $333.75 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | $52.77B |
Dividend Yield | 0.4% | 1.23% |
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.
Rockwell Automation (ROK) trades at $435.22, down 1.32% with a bearish technical signal. The company shows strong earnings momentum with three consecutive quarterly beats and raised 2026 guidance. Valuation metrics appear elevated with P/E of 41.85 and P/S of 5.6, while profitability remains solid with 13.38% net margin. Recent AI integration initiatives and institutional buying activity provide positive catalysts.
ROK presents a mixed outlook with strong operational performance offset by premium valuation. The 16.5% upside to consensus price target of $507 offers potential, but inflation pressures and competitive threats require monitoring. Current technical weakness near support at $432 creates a critical juncture for near-term direction.
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 →Rockwell Automation is a pure-play automation competitor that is the successor entity to Rockwell International, which spun off its former Rockwell Collins avionics segment in 2001. As of fiscal 2021, the firm operates through three segments--intelligent devices, software and control, and lifecycle services. Intelligent devices contains its drives, sensors, and industrial components, software and control contains its information and network and security software, while lifecycle services contains its consulting and maintenance services as well as its Sensia JV with Schlumberger.
Read more on ROK →