Applied Materials, Inc. vs Global X Defense Tech ETF — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $584.73 (market cap $478.36B), while Global X Defense Tech ETF trades at $60.54. The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. pays a 0.35% dividend while Global X Defense Tech ETF pays none, and Applied Materials, Inc. is trading nearer its 52-week high, Global X Defense Tech ETF nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | SHLD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $478.36B | — |
Sector | Technology | Sector/Thematic |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $78.02 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $58.20 |
Enterprise Value | $477.39B | — |
Dividend Yield | 0.35% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Applied Materials (AMAT) trades at $602.50, up 2.35% recently, with strong technical support near $573 and resistance at $617. The company demonstrates robust fundamentals, including a 29.31% net income margin and consistent earnings beats, while benefiting from AI-driven semiconductor demand highlighted in recent CEO commentary (CNBC, 2026-05-28).
Outlook remains positive given analyst consensus of $644.33 price target and 76.9% buy ratings, though elevated P/E of 56.68 poses valuation risk. Key opportunities include AI infrastructure growth, while risks involve cyclical semiconductor demand and execution challenges in scaling operations.
SHLD, the Global X Defense Tech ETF, trades at $61.19, down 0.44% on the day, with technical indicators showing a bearish trend. The ETF provides diversified exposure to global defense technology companies, benefiting from rising military spending worldwide. Recent news highlights focus on defense sector growth, with articles discussing the UK's $20 billion military overhaul and ongoing geopolitical tensions driving demand.
The outlook for SHLD is supported by structural increases in global defense budgets, but faces risks from political shifts and valuation concerns. Analyst sentiment is mixed, with some seeing a rebound opportunity from current levels, while technical weakness suggests near-term caution. The ETF's performance will hinge on sustained government spending and sector earnings growth.
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 →SHLD tracks the Global X Defense Tech Index, targeting companies that lead the technological transformation of the defense sector. It focuses on pure-play innovators in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, robotics, and advanced military systems, excluding traditional commercial aerospace to maintain a high level of thematic purity.
Read more on SHLD →