Applied Materials, Inc. vs iShares Semiconductor ETF — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $550.46 (market cap $417.31B), while iShares Semiconductor ETF trades at $546.75. The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. pays a 0.4% dividend while iShares Semiconductor ETF pays none. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | SOXX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | — |
Sector | Technology | Sector/Thematic |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $655.01 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $241.68 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | — |
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.
SOXX trades at $546.61, up 3.12% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and neutral oscillators. Support lies near $530 and resistance at $548. Recent news highlights sector volatility, including a 21% drop in July 2026 due to headwinds like short-seller commentary and competitive pressures, though cloud company growth supports AI spending optimism.
The outlook is mixed: strong AI demand from cloud providers offers upside, but concentration risk and tariff uncertainties pose threats. Investors face volatility from sector rotations and geopolitical factors, requiring careful risk assessment amid evolving semiconductor dynamics.
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 →SOXX provides investors with exposure to U.S. companies that design, manufacture, and distribute semiconductors. It tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index, offering a targeted investment in the technology sector's foundational components, including firms that produce chips, related equipment, and services. SOXX is a key vehicle for investors seeking to capitalize on trends in artificial intelligence, 5G, and other technologies that rely heavily on advanced semiconductor technology.
Read more on SOXX →