Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT) Stock Holdings Increased by Generali Investments Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych

Generali Investments Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych grew its holdings in Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT - Free Report) by 12.7% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 26,650 shares of the manufacturing equipment provider's stock after acquiring an additional 3,000 shares during the period. Applied Materials comprises 2.5% of Generali Investments Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych's holdings, making the stock its 8th biggest position. Generali Investments Towarzystwo Funduszy Inwestycyjnych's holdings in Applied Materials were worth $3,867,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. Skye Global Management LP purchased a new stake in Applied Materials during the fourth quarter worth $45,862,000. Value Partners Investments Inc. boosted its holdings in Applied Materials by 8.7% during the fourth quarter. Value Partners Investments Inc. now owns 9,896 shares of the manufacturing equipment provider's stock worth $1,608,000 after buying an additional 793 shares in the last quarter. Leonard Rickey Investment Advisors P.L.L.C. purchased a new stake in Applied Materials during the first quarter worth $230,000. Townsquare Capital LLC boosted its holdings in Applied Materials by 15.6% during the fourth quarter. Townsquare Capital LLC now owns 71,577 shares of the manufacturing equipment provider's stock worth $11,640,000 after buying an additional 9,672 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Humankind Investments LLC boosted its holdings in Applied Materials by 28.2% during the fourth quarter. Humankind Investments LLC now owns 1,503 shares of the manufacturing equipment provider's stock worth $244,000 after buying an additional 331 shares in the last quarter. 80.56% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at Applied Materials

In related news, CAO Adam Sanders sold 562 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $178.60, for a total transaction of $100,373.20. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer directly owned 5,300 shares in the company, valued at approximately $946,580. This trade represents a 9.59% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 0.24% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AMAT has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. TD Cowen lowered their price target on shares of Applied Materials from $225.00 to $220.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, May 16th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Applied Materials from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, July 28th. Mizuho increased their price target on shares of Applied Materials from $195.00 to $220.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, July 14th. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Applied Materials from $190.00 to $220.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, July 7th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $195.00 price objective on shares of Applied Materials in a report on Friday, May 16th. Nine research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Applied Materials currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $205.17.

Applied Materials Stock Performance

NASDAQ:AMAT opened at $179.99 on Friday. The company's 50-day moving average price is $179.91 and its 200-day moving average price is $166.91. The company has a current ratio of 2.46, a quick ratio of 1.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The company has a market cap of $144.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.90, a P/E/G ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 1.70. Applied Materials, Inc. has a twelve month low of $123.74 and a twelve month high of $215.70.

Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 15th. The manufacturing equipment provider reported $2.39 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.31 by $0.08. The firm had revenue of $7.10 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.12 billion. Applied Materials had a net margin of 24.06% and a return on equity of 40.15%. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 6.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.09 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Applied Materials, Inc. will post 9.38 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Applied Materials Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 11th. Investors of record on Thursday, August 21st will be given a dividend of $0.46 per share. This represents a $1.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.0%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 21st. Applied Materials's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 22.38%.

Applied Materials Profile

Applied Materials, Inc engages in the provision of manufacturing equipment, services, and software to the semiconductor, display, and related industries. The company operates through three segments: Semiconductor Systems, Applied Global Services, and Display and Adjacent Markets. The Semiconductor Systems segment develops, manufactures, and sells various manufacturing equipment that is used to fabricate semiconductor chips or integrated circuits.

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