Applied Materials, Inc. vs Union Pacific Corporation — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $552.89 (market cap $417.31B), while Union Pacific Corporation trades at $292.17 (market cap $173.99B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 2.4× Union Pacific Corporation's market cap, and Union Pacific Corporation pays the higher dividend (1.94%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | UNP | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | $173.99B |
Sector | Technology | Industrials |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $307.32 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $214.91 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | $203.04B |
Dividend Yield | 0.4% | 1.94% |
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.
Union Pacific (UNP) trades at $294.24, up 0.68% with strong fundamentals including 28.85% net margins and 39.7% ROE. The stock shows bullish momentum with Q2 2026 EPS beating estimates by 4.6% and management raising full-year guidance. Technical indicators are neutral overall, with the current price near resistance at $294. Recent news highlights institutional accumulation and a 3% dividend increase announced July 29, 2026.
Outlook remains positive with analyst consensus target of $334.33 (13.6% upside) and 58.7% buy ratings. Key opportunities include service-led growth driving margin expansion, while risks involve high fuel costs and regulatory scrutiny of the Norfolk Southern merger. The company's strong cash flow generation supports continued dividend growth and capital returns.
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 →Omaha, Nebraska-based Union Pacific is the largest public railroad in North America. Operating on more than 30,000 miles of track in the western two thirds of the U.S., UP generated roughly $22 billion of revenue in 2021 by hauling coal, industrial products, intermodal containers, agriculture goods, chemicals, and automotive goods. UP owns about one fourth of Mexican railroad Ferromex and derives about 10% of its revenue hauling freight to and from Mexico.
Read more on UNP →