Applied Materials, Inc. vs Stryker Corporation — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $552.93 (market cap $417.31B), while Stryker Corporation trades at $346.82 (market cap $133.54B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 3.1× Stryker Corporation's market cap, and Stryker Corporation pays the higher dividend (1.01%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | SYK | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | $133.54B |
Sector | Technology | Technology |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $394.34 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $282.58 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | $145.01B |
Dividend Yield | 0.4% | 1.01% |
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.
Stryker (SYK) trades at $347.21, up 0.4% today, with a bullish technical outlook supported by moving averages. The stock shows strong fundamentals, including a 9% organic sales growth in Q2 2026 and a net income margin of 14.43%. Recent news highlights recovery from a cybersecurity incident and the launch of Mako RPS, expanding its robotic surgery portfolio. Analyst consensus is overwhelmingly positive, with 74% recommending Buy and a price target of $379.44.
The outlook for SYK is favorable, driven by robust earnings growth and strategic product launches. Key risks include cybersecurity vulnerabilities and margin pressures from tariffs. With no sell ratings and strong institutional support, the stock presents a compelling opportunity for growth-oriented investors, though monitoring quarterly execution remains critical.
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 →Stryker is a global leader in medical technology, specializing in Orthopaedics, MedSurg, and Neurotechnology. It is renowned for its highly decentralized business model, which empowers 22 specialized business units to drive innovation and category leadership. With its market-leading Mako SmartRobotics™ platform and a relentless M&A strategy, Stryker provides a comprehensive ecosystem of connected surgical tools, implants, and digital solutions that improve both clinical and financial outcomes for hospitals worldwide.
Read more on SYK →