Applied Materials, Inc. vs Verizon Communications Inc — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $549.97 (market cap $417.31B), while Verizon Communications Inc trades at $46.93 (market cap $196.40B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 2.1× Verizon Communications Inc's market cap, and Verizon Communications Inc pays the higher dividend (5.99%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | VZ | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | $196.40B |
Sector | Technology | Media |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $51.38 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $38.40 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | $383.10B |
Dividend Yield | 0.4% | 5.99% |
Volume | — | 22,584,735 |
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.
Verizon (VZ) trades at $46.93, down slightly by 0.21% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages. The company shows stable fundamentals with $138.19B in 2025 revenue and consistent earnings beats in recent quarters. Recent news highlights network expansion initiatives and strategic partnerships, including a fiber deal with Alphabet. Cash flow improved significantly in 2025 with $14.86B net cash flow, though debt levels remain elevated at $121.38B long-term.
VZ presents a value opportunity with a P/E of 12.31 below sector average and strong dividend yield. Analyst consensus targets $49.69 with 36.7% buy ratings, though competition from SpaceX's Starlink and high debt pose risks. The stock's current price near support at $47 suggests limited downside if technical levels hold.
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 →Verizon Communications Inc. is an integrated telecommunications company that provides wire line voice and data services, wireless services, Internet services, and published directory information. The Company also provides network services for the federal government including business phone lines, data services, telecommunications equipment, and payphones.
Read more on VZ →