Applied Materials, Inc. $AMAT Stock Sold by Wealth Enhancement Trust Services Inc.

Key Points

• Wealth Enhancement Trust Services reduced its Applied Materials stake by 31.6% in the third quarter, selling 2,682 shares and retaining 5,812 shares valued at approximately $2.97 million. Institutional investors collectively own 80.56% of the company.
• Applied Materials reported strong quarterly results, with revenue up 24.8% year over year to $9.12 billion and EPS of $3.50 beating estimates; fourth-quarter EPS guidance is $3.82 to $4.22.
• Insiders have sold 9,225 shares worth about $4.45 million over the past 90 days, while AMAT trades at a demanding valuation near 45 times earnings. Analysts remain broadly positive, with a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $640.20.

Wealth Enhancement Trust Services Inc. cut its stake in shares of Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT - Free Report) by 31.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 5,812 shares of the manufacturing equipment provider's stock after selling 2,682 shares during the period. Wealth Enhancement Trust Services Inc.'s holdings in Applied Materials were worth $2,972,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Cornerstone Financial Management LLC bought a new stake in Applied Materials during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Harborfront Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Applied Materials during the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Financial Freedom LLC bought a new position in shares of Applied Materials in the first quarter worth $28,000. Orion Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Applied Materials in the second quarter worth $33,000. Finally, Highland Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Applied Materials during the second quarter worth about $33,000. 80.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity

In related news, CFO Brice Hill sold 7,500 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $479.25, for a total transaction of $3,594,375.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 128,613 shares in the company, valued at $61,637,780.25. The trade was a 5.51% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Judy Bruner sold 1,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $465.00, for a total value of $465,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 25,544 shares of the company's stock, valued at $11,877,960. This represents a 3.77% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last 90 days, insiders have sold 9,225 shares of company stock valued at $4,454,181. Corporate insiders own 0.30% of the company's stock.

Applied Materials News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: Applied Materials and Intel announced expanded collaboration on next-generation transistors, interconnects and advanced packaging for AI chips. The work will involve Applied’s $5 billion EPIC Center and Intel’s Oregon R&D campus, potentially strengthening AMAT’s position in advanced chip manufacturing. Applied Materials and Intel Collaborate to Accelerate Chipmaking Innovations for AI-Driven Computing
• Positive Sentiment: Recent commentary remains bullish on AMAT’s exposure to AI-driven wafer-fabrication equipment, advanced memory and packaging. Analysts and industry reports cite durable semiconductor demand, record growth in Applied Global Services and capacity expansion as potential drivers of further upside. Zacks Industry Outlook Applied Materials, Lam Research and FormFactor
• Positive Sentiment: AMAT’s latest reported quarter showed strong execution: revenue rose 24.8% year over year to $9.12 billion and EPS of $3.50 exceeded expectations. The company also provided fourth-quarter 2026 EPS guidance of $3.82 to $4.22. Several analysts maintain buy or strong-buy ratings, with a reported consensus price target of $640.20.
• Neutral Sentiment: Investor attention is elevated, with multiple reports examining bullish theses, options activity and AMAT’s position versus Lam Research and KLA. However, these articles provide sentiment and market-interest signals rather than new financial results.
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation is demanding after a reported 143.9% one-year gain. AMAT trades at roughly 9.6 times sales and around 45 times earnings, leaving the stock vulnerable to profit-taking or disappointment. Compared with Nvidia, Applied Materials has lower revenue growth momentum and profitability, including a reported 24.7% net margin versus Nvidia’s 55.6%.
• Negative Sentiment: Chief Accounting Officer Adam Sanders sold 725 shares for approximately $394,806, reducing his holdings by 18.56%. The sale was described as being made to cover tax withholding on vested equity awards, making it a limited—but still slightly negative—signal.

Applied Materials Trading Down 1.8%

Shares of Applied Materials stock traded down $9.62 on Wednesday, hitting $520.65. The stock had a trading volume of 3,774,575 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,896,988. The stock's 50-day simple moving average is $488.74 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $480.57. Applied Materials, Inc. has a one year low of $203.40 and a one year high of $739.67. The company has a quick ratio of 1.79, a current ratio of 2.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20. The stock has a market cap of $413.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 44.88, a PEG ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.60.

Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 13th. The manufacturing equipment provider reported $3.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $3.40 by $0.10. The business had revenue of $9.12 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.99 billion. Applied Materials had a net margin of 30.05% and a return on equity of 38.02%. The company's revenue was up 24.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.48 EPS. Applied Materials has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 3.820-4.220 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Applied Materials, Inc. will post 12.79 EPS for the current year.

Applied Materials Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 19th will be paid a $0.53 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 19th. This represents a $2.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.4%. Applied Materials's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.28%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts have weighed in on the company. Mizuho lowered their price target on Applied Materials from $650.00 to $590.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 25th. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a "buy" rating and issued a $740.00 target price on shares of Applied Materials in a research report on Friday, August 14th. Weiss Ratings downgraded Applied Materials from a "buy (b)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 9th. William Blair started coverage on Applied Materials in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. They issued a "market perform" rating for the company. Finally, Erste Group Bank lowered Applied Materials from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, thirty have issued a Buy rating and eight have given a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $640.20.

About Applied Materials

Applied Materials, Inc is a global supplier of equipment, services and software used to manufacture semiconductor chips, flat-panel displays and other advanced electronic products. Its technologies help customers build and enhance materials at the nanoscale, supporting processes such as deposition, etching, inspection, metrology and packaging.

The company's offerings include semiconductor manufacturing systems, process-control and inspection equipment, and services designed to improve the performance, productivity and longevity of production equipment.

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