Applied Materials, Inc. vs Synchrony Financial — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $551.49 (market cap $417.31B), while Synchrony Financial trades at $79.2 (market cap $25.53B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 16.3× Synchrony Financial's market cap, and Synchrony Financial pays the higher dividend (1.73%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | SYF | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | $25.53B |
Sector | Technology | Financials |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $88.47 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $63.78 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | — |
Dividend Yield | 0.4% | 1.73% |
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.
Synchrony Financial (SYF) trades at $78.78, up 0.75% today, with strong technical momentum as the stock tests resistance near $79. Recent earnings beats, including Q2 2026 EPS of $2.59 versus $2.14 expected, highlight robust fundamentals. The company maintains a net income margin of 23.4% and a low P/E of 8.05, signaling potential undervaluation. A new partnership with Stripe for CareCredit expansion and a $0.34 dividend reinforce positive business developments.
SYF presents a compelling investment case with analyst consensus bullish—62.5% buy ratings and an $86.33 price target imply ~10% upside. Risks include rising interest expenses of $4.14B and a projected negative net cash flow in 2026. Aggressive share buybacks and stable credit trends support upside, but macroeconomic pressures on consumer spending warrant monitoring.
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 →Synchrony Financial is a premier consumer financial services company and the largest provider of private-label credit cards in the United States. Spun off from GE Capital in 2014, it operates through a unique B2B2C model, embedding its financing products within the ecosystems of major partners like Amazon, Lowe’s, and PayPal. Synchrony leverages deep data analytics and a diverse multi-platform strategy—spanning retail, health, and auto—to drive customer loyalty and provide specialized credit solutions at the point of sale.
Read more on SYF →