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Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) stock has reached a 52-week high, touching $242.57. This milestone reflects a significant upward trend for the company, which has seen a 33.61% increase in its stock price over the past year, with an even more impressive 47.31% gain over the last six months. With a market capitalization of $193 billion, the semiconductor equipment giant currently trades at a P/E ratio of 27.98, suggesting it may be slightly overvalued according to InvestingPro Fair Value estimates. The semiconductor equipment manufacturer continues to benefit from robust demand in the technology sector, driving its stock to new heights. This surge in stock price underscores investor confidence in Applied Materials’ growth prospects and its ability to capitalize on the increasing demand for advanced semiconductor equipment. InvestingPro data reveals that 15 analysts have revised their earnings upwards for the upcoming period, with the most optimistic analyst target reaching $300. The company maintains a "GREAT" overall financial health score despite its relatively high volatility (Beta of 1.67). For deeper insights on AMAT and 1,400+ other stocks, check out the comprehensive Pro Research Reports available on InvestingPro.
In other recent news, Applied Materials reported fiscal fourth-quarter results that modestly exceeded both analyst and consensus estimates. The company showed quarter-over-quarter strength in DRAM, although it faced declines in the China and Foundry-Logic segments. UBS upgraded Applied Materials from Neutral to Buy, raising its price target to $285, based on expectations for significant growth in wafer fab equipment demand in the coming years. However, Craig-Hallum downgraded the stock from Buy to Hold, maintaining a $190 price target, due to anticipated growth delays and challenges in certain market segments like ICAPS and China.
Stifel reiterated a Buy rating with a $250 price target, reflecting a positive outlook. Meanwhile, UBS maintained a Neutral rating with a $250 price target, noting concerns over market share loss, particularly in China. Macquarie raised its price target to $44 while maintaining an Outperform rating, highlighting improvements in RevPAR decline and occupancy rates. These developments indicate a mixed but cautiously optimistic view of Applied Materials’ future performance in the semiconductor equipment market.
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