Applied Materials, Inc. vs Southern Copper Corp — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $550.71 (market cap $417.31B), while Southern Copper Corp trades at $194.45 (market cap $164.21B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 2.5× Southern Copper Corp's market cap, and Southern Copper Corp pays the higher dividend (2.26%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | SCCO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | $164.21B |
Sector | Technology | Basic Materials |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $218.85 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $93.70 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | $165.50B |
Dividend Yield | 0.4% | 2.26% |
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.
Southern Copper (SCCO) trades at $193.14, down 3.48% on the day, amid a broader copper price pullback. The stock exhibits strong fundamentals with revenue growth from $13.42B in 2025 to a projected $15.8B in 2026 and robust profitability margins, including a net income margin of 35.87%. Recent quarters have consistently beaten EPS estimates, and technical indicators show a bullish trend with key support at $191. However, the stock trades at a premium valuation with a P/E of 29.18, above the analyst consensus price target of $153.64.
The outlook for SCCO is mixed; strong earnings growth and exposure to copper demand from AI and data centers present upside, but high valuation and reliance on volatile metal prices pose risks. Analyst sentiment is cautious with only 10.34% buy ratings, suggesting limited near-term upside from current levels despite solid operational performance.
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 →Southern Copper Corp is an integrated producer of copper and other minerals and operates the mining, smelting, and refining facilities in Peru and Mexico. Its production includes copper, molybdenum, zinc, and silver. The company operates through the following segments: Peruvian operations, Mexican open-pit operations, and Mexican underground mining operations. Southern Copper generates the majority of its revenue from the sale of copper and the rest from the sale of non-copper products, such as molybdenum, silver, zinc, lead, and gold. Its geographical segments are The Americas, Europe, and Asia.
Read more on SCCO →