Applied Materials, Inc. vs SMX Security Matters plc — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $547 (market cap $417.31B), while SMX Security Matters plc trades at $16.48 (market cap $17.04M). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 24490× SMX Security Matters plc's market cap, and Applied Materials, Inc. pays a 0.4% dividend while SMX Security Matters plc pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | SMX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | $17.04M |
Sector | Technology | Technology |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $103.71K |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $12.87 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | -$14.29M |
Dividend Yield | 0.4% | — |
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.
SMX trades at $16.45, up 4.11% today, amid a reverse stock split effective June 1, 2026. The stock shows bearish technical signals with support at $16 and resistance at $17. Financially, the company reported a net loss of $169.18 million for 2025, with negative ROE and ROA, though it strengthened its balance sheet with $77 million in financing in 2026. Recent news highlights SMX's focus on recycled plastic verification and commercialization strategies.
The outlook remains speculative; SMX's technology addresses growing demand for material traceability, but persistent losses and high cash burn pose significant risks. Investor sentiment is cautious due to weak profitability, though institutional financing provides near-term liquidity. The stock's viability hinges on successful commercialization and path to profitability.
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 →SMX Security Matters plc is a digital authentication and tracking technology company that uses a chemical-based, invisible marker system to trace and verify products across global supply chains. Their technology creates a 'digital twin' of physical products, used for quality control, counterfeiting prevention, and ensuring sustainability compliance from raw materials to final sale. The company's solutions are applied across various industries, including precious materials, luxury goods, and fast-moving consumer goods.
Read more on SMX →