Cobalt Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT – Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor purchased 41,000 shares of the manufacturing equipment provider’s stock, valued at approximately $10,537,000. Applied Materials makes up 4.7% of Cobalt Capital Management Inc.’s holdings, making the stock its 7th biggest holding.
A number of other large investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Asset One Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Applied Materials during the fourth quarter worth approximately $4,299,000. Aureus Asset Management LLC grew its position in Applied Materials by 0.6% during the fourth quarter. Aureus Asset Management LLC now owns 178,276 shares of the manufacturing equipment provider’s stock worth $45,815,000 after buying an additional 1,121 shares in the last quarter. BNB Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Applied Materials during the fourth quarter worth approximately $458,000. Boothbay Fund Management LLC grew its position in Applied Materials by 254.8% during the fourth quarter. Boothbay Fund Management LLC now owns 47,983 shares of the manufacturing equipment provider’s stock worth $12,331,000 after buying an additional 34,459 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Align Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Applied Materials during the fourth quarter worth approximately $1,321,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 80.56% of the company’s stock.
Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades
A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on AMAT shares. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on Applied Materials from $415.00 to $510.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, May 15th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Applied Materials from $435.00 to $520.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, May 15th. HSBC started coverage on Applied Materials in a report on Friday, May 8th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $517.00 target price on the stock. Citigroup raised their target price on Applied Materials from $550.00 to $710.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Applied Materials from $400.00 to $515.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, May 15th. Twenty-seven research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Applied Materials has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $489.16.
Applied Materials Stock Up 4.3%
Shares of AMAT opened at $592.92 on Thursday. Applied Materials, Inc. has a 52 week low of $154.46 and a 52 week high of $623.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $470.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 55.67, a PEG ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 1.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22, a quick ratio of 1.80 and a current ratio of 2.51. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $441.16 and a 200-day moving average of $360.55.
Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 14th. The manufacturing equipment provider reported $2.86 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.68 by $0.18. Applied Materials had a return on equity of 36.97% and a net margin of 29.31%.The company had revenue of $7.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $7.68 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $2.39 EPS. Applied Materials’s revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. Applied Materials has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 3.160-3.560 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Applied Materials, Inc. will post 12.1 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.
Applied Materials Dividend Announcement
The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 10th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, August 20th will be paid a $0.53 dividend. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 20th. Applied Materials’s dividend payout ratio is presently 19.91%.
Insider Buying and Selling
In related news, insider Prabu G. Raja sold 50,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 4th. The stock was sold at an average price of $505.28, for a total transaction of $25,264,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 356,642 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $180,204,069.76. This trade represents a 12.30% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CEO Gary E. Dickerson sold 71,727 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $593.75, for a total value of $42,587,906.25. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 1,695,164 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,006,503,625. This represents a 4.06% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold 189,767 shares of company stock worth $107,769,409 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.30% of the company’s stock.
Key Stories Impacting Applied Materials
Here are the key news stories impacting Applied Materials this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Citi raised its price target on Applied Materials, boosting confidence that AI infrastructure spending and demand for memory-chip manufacturing tools will keep growth strong. Applied Materials surges as Citi lifts target on AI demand boom
- Positive Sentiment: The company unveiled SENZ, an integrated AI/AR smart-glasses visual platform, expanding its story beyond semiconductor equipment into next-generation optics and wearable tech. EssilorLuxottica and Applied Materials Join Forces to Advance Augmented Reality Optics Platforms for Next-Generation Smart Glasses
- Positive Sentiment: Applied Materials and EssilorLuxottica announced a long-term partnership to develop AR and AI smart-eyewear optics, suggesting an additional growth avenue and validating AMAT’s materials expertise. EssilorLuxottica, Applied Materials strike deal to develop smart glasses, AR technology
- Positive Sentiment: Multiple reports highlighted record highs and strong momentum for chip-equipment stocks, with AMAT benefiting from the broader AI-driven rally in semiconductor capital equipment. Applied Materials Stock Is One Of the S&P 500 Leaders Today. It’s AI.
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.
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