Applied Materials, Inc. vs Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund ETF — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $549.1 (market cap $417.31B), while Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund ETF trades at $85.25. The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. pays a 0.4% dividend while Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund ETF pays none, and Vanguard S&P 500 Growth Index Fund ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Applied Materials, Inc. nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | VOOG | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | — |
Sector | Technology | Broad Market / Factor |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $85.42 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $65.32 |
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.
VOOG trades at $85.05, down 0.18% on the day but near 52-week highs, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a neutral oscillator stance. Recent news highlights institutional accumulation and strong growth ETF comparisons, though RSI levels suggest potential overbought conditions. The fund focuses on large-cap growth stocks with low expense ratios, benefiting from tech sector leadership.
Outlook remains positive due to institutional inflows and growth exposure, but risks include tech concentration and market volatility. The fund's low costs and historical performance support long-term growth appeal, though investors should monitor valuation metrics amid elevated levels.
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 →VOOG is an index-based ETF that tracks the S&P 500 Growth Index, composed of the growth-oriented companies within the S&P 500. It selects constituents based on three key metrics—sales growth, the ratio of earnings change to price, and momentum—offering a highly liquid and low-cost way to capture the high-performing 'growth slice' of the broader U.S. large-cap market.
Read more on VOOG →