Applied Materials, Inc. vs Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $537.5 (market cap $414.54B), while Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF trades at $34.25. The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. pays a 0.41% dividend while Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF pays none, and Schwab US Dividend Equity ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Applied Materials, Inc. nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | SCHD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $414.54B | — |
Sector | Technology | Broad Market / Factor |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $34.27 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $26.44 |
Enterprise Value | $413.57B | — |
Dividend Yield | 0.41% | — |
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.
SCHD, the Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF, trades at $33.90, up 0.59% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and neutral oscillators. The ETF focuses on high-quality U.S. dividend-paying stocks, offering income stability. Recent news highlights its popularity among retirees for generating passive income, with institutional buying activity noted in Q2 2026 filings.
The outlook for SCHD remains positive for income-focused investors, leveraging dividend growth and low costs. Risks include interest rate sensitivity and market volatility affecting dividend stocks. Analyst sentiment is generally favorable, emphasizing its role in diversified retirement portfolios.
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 →SCHD is an ETF that tracks the Dow Jones U.S. Dividend 100 Index. It selects high-quality companies with a consistent track record of paying dividends, focusing on financial strength metrics like cash flow to total debt and return on equity, and excluding REITs. The fund aims to provide both income and capital appreciation, making it a popular choice for long-term, dividend-focused investors.
Read more on SCHD →