Micron Technology (MU) Competitors

Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT) and Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, risk, analyst recommendations, earnings, dividends, institutional ownership, media sentiment and profitability.

Do analysts rate AMAT or MU?

Applied Materials presently has a consensus price target of $193.88, suggesting a potential upside of 19.32%. Micron Technology has a consensus price target of $147.24, suggesting a potential upside of 25.12%. Given Micron Technology's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Micron Technology is more favorable than Applied Materials.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Applied Materials	1 Sell rating(s)	13 Hold rating(s)	17 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.52
Micron Technology	1 Sell rating(s)	5 Hold rating(s)	20 Buy rating(s)	2 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.82

Does the media prefer AMAT or MU?

In the previous week, Applied Materials had 54 more articles in the media than Micron Technology. MarketBeat recorded 105 mentions for Applied Materials and 51 mentions for Micron Technology. Micron Technology's average media sentiment score of 1.27 beat Applied Materials' score of 0.35 indicating that Micron Technology is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Applied Materials	48 Very Positive mention(s)	8 Positive mention(s)	18 Neutral mention(s)	16 Negative mention(s)	3 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral
Micron Technology	34 Very Positive mention(s)	4 Positive mention(s)	8 Neutral mention(s)	4 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Positive

Which has stronger earnings and valuation, AMAT or MU?

Applied Materials has higher revenue and earnings than Micron Technology. Applied Materials is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Micron Technology, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Applied Materials	$27.18B	4.80	$7.18B	$8.39	19.37
Micron Technology	$25.11B	5.24	$778M	$5.55	21.20

Is AMAT or MU a better dividend stock?

Applied Materials pays an annual dividend of $1.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.1%. Micron Technology pays an annual dividend of $0.46 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.4%. Applied Materials pays out 21.9% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Micron Technology pays out 8.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Applied Materials has increased its dividend for 8 consecutive years. Applied Materials is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Which has more risk & volatility, AMAT or MU?

Applied Materials has a beta of 1.7, suggesting that its stock price is 70% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Micron Technology has a beta of 1.37, suggesting that its stock price is 37% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Is AMAT or MU more profitable?

Applied Materials has a net margin of 23.88% compared to Micron Technology's net margin of 18.41%. Applied Materials' return on equity of 41.31% beat Micron Technology's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Applied Materials	23.88%	41.31%	23.06%
Micron Technology	18.41%	13.60%	8.90%

Do insiders & institutionals believe in AMAT or MU?

80.6% of Applied Materials shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 80.8% of Micron Technology shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.2% of Applied Materials shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.3% of Micron Technology shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Summary

Applied Materials and Micron Technology tied by winning 10 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.