Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) Price Target Raised to $550.00

Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) had its target price raised by Cantor Fitzgerald from $500.00 to $550.00 in a report issued on Monday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has an overweight rating on the manufacturing equipment provider’s stock.

A number of other research analysts also recently commented on AMAT. Stifel Nicolaus increased their target price on Applied Materials from $340.00 to $450.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 13th. Needham & Company LLC increased their target price on Applied Materials from $390.00 to $440.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, February 13th. Seaport Research Partners assumed coverage on Applied Materials in a report on Monday, May 4th. They set a “buy” rating and a $500.00 target price on the stock. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Applied Materials from $432.00 to $454.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 5th. Finally, HSBC assumed coverage on Applied Materials in a report on Friday, May 8th. They set a “buy” rating and a $517.00 target price on the stock. Twenty-eight investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and seven have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $384.52.

Applied Materials Trading Up 1.3%

NASDAQ:AMAT opened at $436.61 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.94, a current ratio of 2.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. The business’s 50 day moving average is $375.73 and its two-hundred day moving average is $317.13. Applied Materials has a 52 week low of $153.47 and a 52 week high of $448.45. The company has a market cap of $346.50 billion, a PE ratio of 44.69, a P/E/G ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 1.66.

Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) last released its earnings results on Thursday, February 12th. The manufacturing equipment provider reported $2.38 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.21 by $0.17. Applied Materials had a return on equity of 37.52% and a net margin of 27.78%.The company had revenue of $7.01 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.88 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.38 EPS. Applied Materials’s quarterly revenue was down 2.1% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Applied Materials will post 11.16 EPS for the current year.

Applied Materials Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 11th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, May 21st will be given a dividend of $0.53 per share. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, May 21st. This is a positive change from Applied Materials’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.46. Applied Materials’s payout ratio is currently 18.83%.

Insider Transactions at Applied Materials

In other news, CFO Brice Hill sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $361.21, for a total transaction of $1,806,050.00. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 138,565 shares in the company, valued at approximately $50,051,063.65. This represents a 3.48% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CAO Adam Sanders sold 534 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $379.16, for a total value of $202,471.44. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 4,625 shares in the company, valued at $1,753,615. The trade was a 10.35% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 12,003 shares of company stock worth $4,484,189. 0.30% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Trading of Applied Materials

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC bought a new stake in Applied Materials during the 4th quarter valued at $25,000. Marquette Asset Management LLC raised its stake in Applied Materials by 150.0% during the 3rd quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC now owns 125 shares of the manufacturing equipment provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 75 shares in the last quarter. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Applied Materials during the 3rd quarter valued at $26,000. Wilkerson Advisory Group LLC bought a new stake in Applied Materials during the 4th quarter valued at $26,000. Finally, Financial Freedom LLC bought a new stake in Applied Materials during the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. 80.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Headlines Impacting Applied Materials

Here are the key news stories impacting Applied Materials this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Citigroup reportedly raised its price target on Applied Materials, adding to a cluster of analyst upgrades that point to confidence in the company’s AI-chip exposure and earnings outlook. Citi massively revamps Applied Materials stock price target
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts are highlighting strong demand in DRAM and logic, with Applied Materials’ semiconductor systems business benefiting from foundry and AI infrastructure spending ahead of earnings. AMAT’s Q2 Results to Benefit From Traction in DRAM and Logic
• Positive Sentiment: New coverage and commentary continue to frame AMAT as a key AI infrastructure winner, with articles and TV mentions emphasizing a semiconductor equipment shortage and Applied Materials’ deepening role in chip manufacturing. How Applied Materials (AMAT) Is Deepening Its Role in AI Chip Manufacturing
• Neutral Sentiment: Investors are watching Thursday’s earnings closely, with several previews suggesting the stock could make a big move depending on whether results and guidance confirm the AI-driven rally. Dear Applied Materials Stock Fans, Mark Your Calendars for May 14
• Negative Sentiment: One broader market warning from a top chartist said U.S. tech stocks are at their highest concentration since the 2000 bubble, a reminder that AMAT’s recent strength could face valuation and sentiment risk if the AI trade cools. Wall Street’s Top Chartist Warns US Tech Stocks Now At Highest Concentration Since the 2000 Bubble

About Applied Materials

Applied Materials, Inc is a U.S.-based supplier of equipment, services and software used to manufacture semiconductor chips, flat panel displays and other advanced materials. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, the company designs and sells capital equipment and related technologies that enable production of integrated circuits, display panels and materials used across the electronics supply chain.

Applied Materials’ offerings include process equipment and factory software that support critical steps in device fabrication, such as deposition, etch, implantation, inspection and metrology, as well as systems for packaging and advanced heterogeneous integration.