Applied Materials, Inc. vs Williams Companies Inc — how do they compare? Applied Materials, Inc. trades at $549.26 (market cap $417.31B), while Williams Companies Inc trades at $73.59 (market cap $88.45B). The key difference: Applied Materials, Inc. is far larger — about 4.7× Williams Companies Inc's market cap, and Williams Companies Inc pays the higher dividend (2.9%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| AMAT | WMB | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $417.31B | $88.45B |
Sector | Technology | Energy |
52-Week High | $723.00 | $79.40 |
52-Week Low | $156.25 | $56.51 |
Enterprise Value | $416.34B | $119.07B |
Dividend Yield | 0.4% | 2.9% |
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.
WMB trades at $73.72, up 2.6% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support. The company reported mixed quarterly earnings but raised full-year EBITDA guidance to $8.4 billion following its $5.5 billion acquisition of Momentum Midstream, enhancing its Gulf Coast footprint. Fundamentals show robust profitability with a 25.18% net income margin and 24.02% ROE, though valuation multiples like a P/E of 28.81 appear elevated.
The outlook is positive, driven by growth initiatives and stable cash flows, but risks include execution of the large acquisition and sensitivity to energy demand. With a consensus price target of $87.14 implying 18% upside, the stock offers growth potential tempered by integration challenges and debt 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 →Williams is a midstream energy company that owns and operates the large Transco and Northwest pipeline systems and associated natural gas gathering, processing, and storage assets. In August 2018, the firm acquired the remaining 26% ownership of its limited partner, Williams Partners.
Read more on WMB →