Applied MaterialsWide moat

AMAT — overall economic moat

Investment snapshot
Wide moat→ Holding steadyConfidenceMediumValuationExpensive
Strongest advantageBreadth plus an installed base: tools for most chipmaking steps except lithography, and a services line that grew every year to $6.4bn with a backlog now larger than the machines'
Greatest threatConcentration and export rules: two unnamed customers take about a third of revenue, China still 28%, and a $252.5M BIS settlement with a suspended denial order
Key metricReturn on invested capital (32.1% in FY2025) and China's share of revenue (28% in Q3 FY2026)
Verdict: Applied Materials has earned more than 20% on its capital in every year since 2015 because it sells the tools for most steps of chipmaking and then services them for decades. That is a wide moat. It is narrowed by two anonymous customers who take a third of revenue, by export rules that have already cost it a settlement and hundreds of millions of sales, and by rivals such as Lam Research that the market now values more highly. At about 40 times trailing earnings near the top of a record cycle, the shares price a lot of good news, even if they are the cheapest of the four largest toolmakers.
📈 AMAT valuation, revenue & earnings — P/E, P/S, revenue, EPS →

Applied Materials makes the machines that change what a silicon wafer is made of, and then keeps them running. Incorporated in 19671, it describes itself as "the leader in materials engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor and advanced display in the world"2. It employed about 38,900 people in July 20263.

Revenue ($bn)9.7FY201514.5FY201714.6FY201923.1FY202126.5FY202328.4FY202530.8TTM Jul 2026SEC EDGAR XBRL company facts; Form 10-K FY2025; TTM calculated
Tripled in ten years, with a dip in 2019.

Revenue was $28,368 million in fiscal 2025, the year to 26 October4. Semiconductor Systems, the machines for etch, deposition, planarization, implantation, inspection and packaging, sold $20,798 million. Applied Global Services, the spares, upgrades and service on tools already installed, sold $6,385 million. Corporate and Other, mostly display equipment, sold $1,185 million5.

How it makes money: chipmakers buy machines when they build new factories or change how chips are made, and Applied is paid when each tool is accepted6. Then the tool needs service for years, which Applied increasingly sells as a subscription7. The machines earned a 35.5% operating margin in fiscal 2025 and services 28.1%8. The company spent $3,570 million on research9.

The customers are few and mostly in Asia. Two took about 19% and 15% of revenue in fiscal 202510; 89% of revenue came from outside the United States11, and China took 30.1%12. In February 2026 Applied paid $252.5 million to settle an export-control case over shipments to China13.

The business is growing fast again. In the quarter to July 2026 revenue was a record $9,115 million, up 25%14, and the fourth-quarter guidance of $10,250 million implies fiscal 2026 revenue of about $34.3 billion15. Return on invested capital was 32.1% in fiscal 202516.

Owners have been rewarded with cash as well as growth. Diluted shares fell from 1,226 million in fiscal 2015 to 808 million in 202517, and the dividend has risen for nine consecutive years18.

The shares were $474.25 on 24 September 2026, a market value of $376.36 billion19, about 40.6 times trailing earnings20, below Lam Research's $384.36 billion21.

The company is spread across the world it sells to. At the end of fiscal 2025 about 46% of its employees were in Asia-Pacific, 42% in North America and 12% in Europe and the Middle East22, while almost all of its long-lived assets, $5,071 million of $5,337 million, sat in the United States23. No single owner controls it: BlackRock held 9.69% and Vanguard 9.35% of the shares at the end of 202524, and there is one class of stock.

The market's verdict has swung with the cycle. Applied was worth $77,187 million at the end of fiscal 2022 and $182,232 million at the end of fiscal 202525, and $376.36 billion in September 202626, when companiesmarketcap ranked it 38th among the world's listed companies by value27. It more than doubled in under a year, on earnings that rose by about a third28.

The moat is wide: breadth across the fab, an installed base that pays rent and a $3.6 billion research budget have kept returns above 20% for eleven years29. What would falsify it is a year outside a downturn in which return on invested capital falls below 20%, or China's share falling below a fifth while Chinese chipmakers keep buying, which would mean rules and rivals are taking the market the moat was built for.

The number that tests this moat
Reported
Revenue, and where it comes from
$28.4bn in FY2025: Semiconductor Systems $20.8bn (73%), Applied Global Services $6.4bn (22%), Corporate and Other $1.2bn (4%)

Q3 FY2026 revenue was $9.1bn, up 25%. Watch services' share through the next downturn, and China's share of revenue (28% in Q3 FY2026).

Source: Applied Materials Form 10-K, FY2025 ↗
Moat scorecardHow ratings work →
Switching costs8/10
Network effects2/10
Pricing power6/10
Hard to replicate8/10
Disruption resistance6/10
Overall durability8/10

Switching costs are high: a chipmaker qualifies a sequence of tools for each new process and does not change suppliers mid-node, and the installed fleet needs Applied's spares and service for years. Replication is hard because it takes a research budget of $3.6bn a year across many process steps. Pricing power is real but bounded by a few very large customers; gross margin has still risen for thirteen quarters. Disruption resistance is moderate: rivals are strong in individual steps, China is funding domestic toolmakers, and export rules can hand orders to foreign competitors. Network effects are minimal. Durability sits in the wide band because returns have stayed above 20% through a full cycle.

Dig deeper
DIG DEEPER 01
The Revenue Lines
Three-quarters of Applied's revenue is machines, a fifth is services on those machines, and the rest is a shrinking display business.
DIG DEEPER 02
The Moat
Applied earned more than 20% on its capital in every one of the last eleven years, because it sells most steps of the fab and services the machines…
DIG DEEPER 03
Competitors
Applied's main rival is now worth more than it is, and its best competitive opening is the step ASML sells and it does not.
DIG DEEPER 04
Major Clients
Two customers take a third of Applied's revenue, and since 2025 its annual report no longer says who they are.
✦ Future bets — beyond today's moat
✦ FUTURE BET 01
The Future Bets
Applied has raised its 2026 outlook three times and doubled its capacity, betting that AI chip demand runs through 2027.
⚠ Threats to the moat
⚠ THREAT 01
Export Controls and the $252.5 Million Settlement
Applied paid $252.5 million to settle export charges in 2026, and the rules still reach 28% of its revenue.
⚠ THREAT 02
A Record Cycle at 40 Times Earnings
Applied trades at 40 times earnings near the top of a record equipment cycle, after falling a third from its June high.
◆ What the market may be missing
◆ THE VARIANT VIEW
What the Market Isn't Pricing In
Applied is the cheapest of the four largest toolmakers on earnings, even as its service backlog grows and its China exposure falls.
◆ THE VARIANT VIEW
Inside the Latest Quarter (Q3 FY2026)
Applied reported its best quarter ever, up 25%, and its shares fell 5% because it would not put a number on what comes next.
References
  1. ReportedIncorporated in 1967, it describes itself as "the leader in materials engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor and advanced display in the world".
    Applied Materials Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 26 October 2025) - Item 1 business: history, products, employees and strategy. — FY2025 · publ. 12 December 2025 · source ↗
  2. ReportedIncorporated in 1967, it describes itself as "the leader in materials engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor and advanced display in the world".
    Applied Materials third-quarter fiscal 2026 results release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - record revenue, segment results, revenue by geography, employees and fourth-quarter guidance - highlights, income statement, cash flow, quotes and fourth-quarter guidance. — Q3 FY2026 · publ. 13 August 2026 · source ↗
  3. ReportedIt employed about 38,900 people in July 2026.
    Applied Materials third-quarter fiscal 2026 results release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - record revenue, segment results, revenue by geography, employees and fourth-quarter guidance - highlights, income statement, cash flow, quotes and fourth-quarter guidance. — Q3 FY2026 · publ. 13 August 2026 · source ↗
  4. ReportedRevenue was $28,368 million in fiscal 2025, the year to 26 October.
    Applied Materials Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 26 October 2025) - Item 1 business: history, products, employees and strategy. — FY2025 · publ. 12 December 2025 · source ↗
  5. ReportedCorporate and Other, mostly display equipment, sold $1,185 million.
    Applied Materials Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 26 October 2025) - segment note: revenue, operating income, gross margin, research, capital spending and goodwill. — FY2025 · publ. 12 December 2025 · source ↗
  6. ReportedHow it makes money: chipmakers buy machines when they build new factories or change how chips are made, and Applied is paid when each tool is accepted.
    Applied Materials Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 26 October 2025) - Item 1 business: history, products, employees and strategy. — FY2025 · publ. 12 December 2025 · source ↗
  7. ReportedThen the tool needs service for years, which Applied increasingly sells as a subscription.
    Applied Materials Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 26 October 2025) - segment note: revenue, operating income, gross margin, research, capital spending and goodwill. — FY2025 · publ. 12 December 2025 · source ↗
  8. Moat Explorer calcThe machines earned a 35.5% operating margin in fiscal 2025 and services 28.1%.
    Moat Explorer calculation from Applied Materials' reported figures ($ millions unless stated). Segment shares FY2025: Semiconductor Systems 20,798 / 28,368 = 73.3%; Applied Global Services 6,385 / 28,368 = 22.5%; Corporate and Other 1,185 / 28,368 = 4.2%. Segment operating margins FY2025: 7,379 / 20,798 = 35.5%; 1,792 / 6,385 = 28.1%; FY2024 6,981 / 19,911 = 35.1%, 1,812 / 6,225 = 29.1%; FY2023 6,879 / 19,698 = 34.9%, 1,529 / 5,732 = 26.7%. Q3 FY2026 margins: Semiconductor Systems 2,657 / 7,040 = 37.7%; Applied Global Services 536 / 1,781 = 30.1%; company operating margin 3,075 / 9,115 = 33.7%. Q1 FY2026 Semiconductor Systems 1,427 / 5,141 = 27.8%. Nine months FY2026 6,176 / 18,146 = 34.0% and 1,461 / 5,005 = 29.2%. Growth Q3 FY2026: Semiconductor Systems 7,040 / 5,564 - 1 = 26.5% year on year and 7,040 / 5,965 - 1 = 18.0% on the quarter; Applied Global Services 1,781 / 1,463 - 1 = 21.7%; revenue 9,115 / 7,910 - 1 = 15.2% on the quarter; United States revenue 1,367 / 683 - 1 = 100%; Europe 483 / 160 = 3.0 times. Nine months: 18,146 / 16,562 - 1 = 9.6%; 5,005 / 4,236 - 1 = 18.2%. Segment history, revenue: Semiconductor Systems 11,367 (FY2020), 16,286, 18,797, 19,698, 19,911, 20,798 (FY2025), compound growth (20,798 / 11,367)^(1/5) - 1 = 12.8% a year; Applied Global Services 4,155, 5,013, 5,543, 5,732, 6,225, 6,385, compound growth (6,385 / 4,155)^(1/5) - 1 = 9.0% a year, 6,385 / 5,732 - 1 = 11.4% over two years; Corporate and Other including Display 1,607 + 73 = 1,680 (FY2020), 1,634 + 130 = 1,764 (FY2021), 1,331 + 114 = 1,445 (FY2022), 868 + 219 = 1,087, 885 + 155 = 1,040, 1,185 (FY2025); 1,185 / 1,680 - 1 = -29%. Display operating margin 235 / 1,060 = 22% (FY2025) and 51 / 885 = 6% (FY2024). DRAM equipment 26% x 20,798 = about 5,400; flash 7% x 20,798 = about 1,460. Company margins: gross 13,808 / 28,368 = 48.7% (FY2025), 12,897 / 27,176 = 47.5% (FY2024), 12,384 / 26,517 = 46.7% (FY2023); operating 8,289 / 28,368 = 29.2%. R&D 3,570 / 28,368 = 12.6%; 3,570 / 1,451 = 2.5 times (FY2015-FY2025). Effective tax 2,273 / 9,271 = 24.5% (FY2025) and 975 / 8,152 = 12.0% (FY2024). Revenue FY2019 14,608 / 16,705 - 1 = -12.6%. Diluted shares 808 / 1,226 - 1 = -34%. Revenue outside the United States 25,305 / 28,368 = 89%. China share of revenue: 5,456 / 17,202 = 31.7% (FY2020); 7,535 / 23,063 = 32.7%; 7,254 / 25,785 = 28.1%; 7,247 / 26,517 = 27.3%; 10,117 / 27,176 = 37.2% (FY2024); 8,529 / 28,368 = 30.1% (FY2025). Taiwan 6,857 / 4,010 - 1 = 71%. Two largest customers 19% + 15% = 34% (FY2025) and 20% + 14% = 34% (nine months FY2026). Backlog: 15,002 / 19,011 - 1 = -21% (October 2022 to October 2025); Semiconductor Systems 7,105 / 12,691 - 1 = -44%; Applied Global Services 7,141 / 5,643 - 1 = +27%; shares of backlog 7,141 / 15,002 = 48% and 7,105 / 15,002 = 47%. Contract liabilities 3,271 / 2,566 - 1 = +27%; receivables 7,691 / 5,185 - 1 = +48%. Cash: net cash 7,241 + 1,332 - 100 - 6,455 = 2,018 (October 2025); 8,022 + 1,449 - 799 - 5,460 = 3,212 (October 2024); 7,037 + 2,196 - 1,299 - 5,245 = 2,689 (July 2026). Payout 1,384 / 6,998 = 19.8%; dividends plus buybacks 1,384 + 4,893 = 6,277, 6,277 / 7,958 = 79% of operating cash flow. ROE 6,998 / ((20,415 + 19,001) / 2) = 35.5% (FY2025), 40.6% (FY2024), 48.0% (FY2023). Trailing twelve months to July 2026: revenue 6,800 + 24,037 = 30,837; net income 1,897 + 7,370 = 9,267; operating cash flow 2,828 + 5,568 = 8,396; capital expenditure 785 + 1,988 = 2,773. Implied FY2026 revenue at the guidance midpoint 24,037 + 10,250 = 34,287, 34,287 / 28,368 - 1 = 20.9%; fourth-quarter midpoint 10,250 / 6,800 - 1 = 50.7%; implied non-GAAP EPS 8.73 + 4.02 = 12.75. Market: 376,360 / 9,267 = 40.6 times trailing earnings; 376,360 / 30,837 = 12.2 times sales; price 474.25 / 723.00 - 1 = -34.4%; Lam Research 384.36 - 376.36 = 8.00 bn more market value. ASML 662.45 / 376.36 = 1.8 times; KLA 246.05 / 376.36 = 0.65. Calendar year-end 2025 P/E 203,780 / 6,998 = 29.1; fiscal year-end P/E 40.91 / 11.83 = 3.5 times the FY2022 low. Other: services growth FY2025 6,385 / 6,225 - 1 = 2.6%; company revenue 28,368 / 27,176 - 1 = 4.4%; dividends 1,384 / 7,958 = 17.4% of operating cash flow; two largest customers FY2024 12% + 11% = 23%; Korea 1,521 / 1,160 - 1 = 31%; Semiconductor Systems 20,798 / 11,367 = 1.83 times (FY2020-FY2025); Display 1,060 / 1,607 - 1 = -34%; net income 6,998 / 1,377 = 5.1 times and EPS 8.66 / 1.12 = 7.7 times (FY2015-FY2025); revenue 28,368 / 9,659 = 2.9 times; balance sheet build July 2026 6,564 + 7,691 + 5,606 = 19,861; Display revenue excluded from Corporate and Other FY2025 1,185 - 1,060 = 125. Revenue FY2024 27,176 / 26,517 - 1 = 2.5%; R&D Q4 917 / 858 - 1 = 6.9%; revenue 30,837 / 25,785 - 1 = 19.6% (FY2022 to trailing July 2026); strategic investment gains 755 + 949 = 1,704; China less Taiwan nine months 6,688 - 5,902 = 786; forward earnings implied 40.91 / 26.95 = 1.52 times trailing; Q4 guide 10,250 / 9,115 - 1 = 12.5% above Q3. Memory share of systems revenue: DRAM plus flash 19% + 21% = 40% (FY2021), 17% + 6% = 23% (FY2023), 26% + 7% = 33% (FY2025). Market value 376,360 / 182,232 = 2.07 times the FY2025 year-end value; trailing net income 9,267 / 6,998 - 1 = 32%. Operating income 8,289 / 1,693 = 4.9 times (FY2015-FY2025). P/E gap to Lam 57.7 - 40.9 = 16.8. Q3 FY2026 returns 860 / 3,037 = 28% of operating cash flow. China plus Taiwan nine months (6,688 + 5,902) / 24,037 = 52%. Systems revenue Q1 to Q3 FY2026 7,040 / 5,141 - 1 = 37%. Systems share of segment operating income FY2025 7,379 / (7,379 + 1,792) = 7,379 / 9,171 = 80%. Systems R&D 3,042 / 20,798 = 14.6%. Third quarter share of nine-month systems profit 2,657 / 6,176 = 43%. Services FY2024 6,225 / 5,732 - 1 = 8.6%. Services share of backlog 4,335 / 11,758 = 37% (October 2021). Research per diluted share 1,451 / 1,226 = 1.18 (FY2015) and 3,570 / 808 = 4.42 (FY2025). Net cash plus long-term investments 2,689 + 5,268 = 7,957. Dividends per share 1.78 / 1.22 - 1 = 46%. ROE 35.5% / 10% = 3.5 times - segment shares, margins and growth - segment and company margins, research and tax. — FY2015-FY2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in Applied Materials' Forms 10-K and 10-Q, results releases and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  9. ReportedThe company spent $3,570 million on research.
    Applied Materials fourth-quarter and fiscal 2025 results release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - full-year income statement, cash flow, balance sheet, Display results and one-off items. — FY2025 · publ. 13 November 2025 · source ↗
  10. ReportedTwo took about 19% and 15% of revenue in fiscal 2025; 89% of revenue came from outside the United States, and China took 30.1%.
    Applied Materials Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 26 October 2025) - segment note: revenue, operating income, gross margin, research, capital spending and goodwill. — FY2025 · publ. 12 December 2025 · source ↗
  11. Moat Explorer calcTwo took about 19% and 15% of revenue in fiscal 2025; 89% of revenue came from outside the United States, and China took 30.1%.
    Moat Explorer calculation from Applied Materials' reported figures ($ millions unless stated). Segment shares FY2025: Semiconductor Systems 20,798 / 28,368 = 73.3%; Applied Global Services 6,385 / 28,368 = 22.5%; Corporate and Other 1,185 / 28,368 = 4.2%. Segment operating margins FY2025: 7,379 / 20,798 = 35.5%; 1,792 / 6,385 = 28.1%; FY2024 6,981 / 19,911 = 35.1%, 1,812 / 6,225 = 29.1%; FY2023 6,879 / 19,698 = 34.9%, 1,529 / 5,732 = 26.7%. Q3 FY2026 margins: Semiconductor Systems 2,657 / 7,040 = 37.7%; Applied Global Services 536 / 1,781 = 30.1%; company operating margin 3,075 / 9,115 = 33.7%. Q1 FY2026 Semiconductor Systems 1,427 / 5,141 = 27.8%. Nine months FY2026 6,176 / 18,146 = 34.0% and 1,461 / 5,005 = 29.2%. Growth Q3 FY2026: Semiconductor Systems 7,040 / 5,564 - 1 = 26.5% year on year and 7,040 / 5,965 - 1 = 18.0% on the quarter; Applied Global Services 1,781 / 1,463 - 1 = 21.7%; revenue 9,115 / 7,910 - 1 = 15.2% on the quarter; United States revenue 1,367 / 683 - 1 = 100%; Europe 483 / 160 = 3.0 times. Nine months: 18,146 / 16,562 - 1 = 9.6%; 5,005 / 4,236 - 1 = 18.2%. Segment history, revenue: Semiconductor Systems 11,367 (FY2020), 16,286, 18,797, 19,698, 19,911, 20,798 (FY2025), compound growth (20,798 / 11,367)^(1/5) - 1 = 12.8% a year; Applied Global Services 4,155, 5,013, 5,543, 5,732, 6,225, 6,385, compound growth (6,385 / 4,155)^(1/5) - 1 = 9.0% a year, 6,385 / 5,732 - 1 = 11.4% over two years; Corporate and Other including Display 1,607 + 73 = 1,680 (FY2020), 1,634 + 130 = 1,764 (FY2021), 1,331 + 114 = 1,445 (FY2022), 868 + 219 = 1,087, 885 + 155 = 1,040, 1,185 (FY2025); 1,185 / 1,680 - 1 = -29%. Display operating margin 235 / 1,060 = 22% (FY2025) and 51 / 885 = 6% (FY2024). DRAM equipment 26% x 20,798 = about 5,400; flash 7% x 20,798 = about 1,460. Company margins: gross 13,808 / 28,368 = 48.7% (FY2025), 12,897 / 27,176 = 47.5% (FY2024), 12,384 / 26,517 = 46.7% (FY2023); operating 8,289 / 28,368 = 29.2%. R&D 3,570 / 28,368 = 12.6%; 3,570 / 1,451 = 2.5 times (FY2015-FY2025). Effective tax 2,273 / 9,271 = 24.5% (FY2025) and 975 / 8,152 = 12.0% (FY2024). Revenue FY2019 14,608 / 16,705 - 1 = -12.6%. Diluted shares 808 / 1,226 - 1 = -34%. Revenue outside the United States 25,305 / 28,368 = 89%. China share of revenue: 5,456 / 17,202 = 31.7% (FY2020); 7,535 / 23,063 = 32.7%; 7,254 / 25,785 = 28.1%; 7,247 / 26,517 = 27.3%; 10,117 / 27,176 = 37.2% (FY2024); 8,529 / 28,368 = 30.1% (FY2025). Taiwan 6,857 / 4,010 - 1 = 71%. Two largest customers 19% + 15% = 34% (FY2025) and 20% + 14% = 34% (nine months FY2026). Backlog: 15,002 / 19,011 - 1 = -21% (October 2022 to October 2025); Semiconductor Systems 7,105 / 12,691 - 1 = -44%; Applied Global Services 7,141 / 5,643 - 1 = +27%; shares of backlog 7,141 / 15,002 = 48% and 7,105 / 15,002 = 47%. Contract liabilities 3,271 / 2,566 - 1 = +27%; receivables 7,691 / 5,185 - 1 = +48%. Cash: net cash 7,241 + 1,332 - 100 - 6,455 = 2,018 (October 2025); 8,022 + 1,449 - 799 - 5,460 = 3,212 (October 2024); 7,037 + 2,196 - 1,299 - 5,245 = 2,689 (July 2026). Payout 1,384 / 6,998 = 19.8%; dividends plus buybacks 1,384 + 4,893 = 6,277, 6,277 / 7,958 = 79% of operating cash flow. ROE 6,998 / ((20,415 + 19,001) / 2) = 35.5% (FY2025), 40.6% (FY2024), 48.0% (FY2023). Trailing twelve months to July 2026: revenue 6,800 + 24,037 = 30,837; net income 1,897 + 7,370 = 9,267; operating cash flow 2,828 + 5,568 = 8,396; capital expenditure 785 + 1,988 = 2,773. Implied FY2026 revenue at the guidance midpoint 24,037 + 10,250 = 34,287, 34,287 / 28,368 - 1 = 20.9%; fourth-quarter midpoint 10,250 / 6,800 - 1 = 50.7%; implied non-GAAP EPS 8.73 + 4.02 = 12.75. Market: 376,360 / 9,267 = 40.6 times trailing earnings; 376,360 / 30,837 = 12.2 times sales; price 474.25 / 723.00 - 1 = -34.4%; Lam Research 384.36 - 376.36 = 8.00 bn more market value. ASML 662.45 / 376.36 = 1.8 times; KLA 246.05 / 376.36 = 0.65. Calendar year-end 2025 P/E 203,780 / 6,998 = 29.1; fiscal year-end P/E 40.91 / 11.83 = 3.5 times the FY2022 low. Other: services growth FY2025 6,385 / 6,225 - 1 = 2.6%; company revenue 28,368 / 27,176 - 1 = 4.4%; dividends 1,384 / 7,958 = 17.4% of operating cash flow; two largest customers FY2024 12% + 11% = 23%; Korea 1,521 / 1,160 - 1 = 31%; Semiconductor Systems 20,798 / 11,367 = 1.83 times (FY2020-FY2025); Display 1,060 / 1,607 - 1 = -34%; net income 6,998 / 1,377 = 5.1 times and EPS 8.66 / 1.12 = 7.7 times (FY2015-FY2025); revenue 28,368 / 9,659 = 2.9 times; balance sheet build July 2026 6,564 + 7,691 + 5,606 = 19,861; Display revenue excluded from Corporate and Other FY2025 1,185 - 1,060 = 125. Revenue FY2024 27,176 / 26,517 - 1 = 2.5%; R&D Q4 917 / 858 - 1 = 6.9%; revenue 30,837 / 25,785 - 1 = 19.6% (FY2022 to trailing July 2026); strategic investment gains 755 + 949 = 1,704; China less Taiwan nine months 6,688 - 5,902 = 786; forward earnings implied 40.91 / 26.95 = 1.52 times trailing; Q4 guide 10,250 / 9,115 - 1 = 12.5% above Q3. Memory share of systems revenue: DRAM plus flash 19% + 21% = 40% (FY2021), 17% + 6% = 23% (FY2023), 26% + 7% = 33% (FY2025). Market value 376,360 / 182,232 = 2.07 times the FY2025 year-end value; trailing net income 9,267 / 6,998 - 1 = 32%. Operating income 8,289 / 1,693 = 4.9 times (FY2015-FY2025). P/E gap to Lam 57.7 - 40.9 = 16.8. Q3 FY2026 returns 860 / 3,037 = 28% of operating cash flow. China plus Taiwan nine months (6,688 + 5,902) / 24,037 = 52%. Systems revenue Q1 to Q3 FY2026 7,040 / 5,141 - 1 = 37%. Systems share of segment operating income FY2025 7,379 / (7,379 + 1,792) = 7,379 / 9,171 = 80%. Systems R&D 3,042 / 20,798 = 14.6%. Third quarter share of nine-month systems profit 2,657 / 6,176 = 43%. Services FY2024 6,225 / 5,732 - 1 = 8.6%. Services share of backlog 4,335 / 11,758 = 37% (October 2021). Research per diluted share 1,451 / 1,226 = 1.18 (FY2015) and 3,570 / 808 = 4.42 (FY2025). Net cash plus long-term investments 2,689 + 5,268 = 7,957. Dividends per share 1.78 / 1.22 - 1 = 46%. ROE 35.5% / 10% = 3.5 times - geography, customers and backlog. — FY2015-FY2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in Applied Materials' Forms 10-K and 10-Q, results releases and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  12. Moat Explorer calcTwo took about 19% and 15% of revenue in fiscal 2025; 89% of revenue came from outside the United States, and China took 30.1%.
    Moat Explorer calculation from Applied Materials' reported figures ($ millions unless stated). Segment shares FY2025: Semiconductor Systems 20,798 / 28,368 = 73.3%; Applied Global Services 6,385 / 28,368 = 22.5%; Corporate and Other 1,185 / 28,368 = 4.2%. Segment operating margins FY2025: 7,379 / 20,798 = 35.5%; 1,792 / 6,385 = 28.1%; FY2024 6,981 / 19,911 = 35.1%, 1,812 / 6,225 = 29.1%; FY2023 6,879 / 19,698 = 34.9%, 1,529 / 5,732 = 26.7%. Q3 FY2026 margins: Semiconductor Systems 2,657 / 7,040 = 37.7%; Applied Global Services 536 / 1,781 = 30.1%; company operating margin 3,075 / 9,115 = 33.7%. Q1 FY2026 Semiconductor Systems 1,427 / 5,141 = 27.8%. Nine months FY2026 6,176 / 18,146 = 34.0% and 1,461 / 5,005 = 29.2%. Growth Q3 FY2026: Semiconductor Systems 7,040 / 5,564 - 1 = 26.5% year on year and 7,040 / 5,965 - 1 = 18.0% on the quarter; Applied Global Services 1,781 / 1,463 - 1 = 21.7%; revenue 9,115 / 7,910 - 1 = 15.2% on the quarter; United States revenue 1,367 / 683 - 1 = 100%; Europe 483 / 160 = 3.0 times. Nine months: 18,146 / 16,562 - 1 = 9.6%; 5,005 / 4,236 - 1 = 18.2%. Segment history, revenue: Semiconductor Systems 11,367 (FY2020), 16,286, 18,797, 19,698, 19,911, 20,798 (FY2025), compound growth (20,798 / 11,367)^(1/5) - 1 = 12.8% a year; Applied Global Services 4,155, 5,013, 5,543, 5,732, 6,225, 6,385, compound growth (6,385 / 4,155)^(1/5) - 1 = 9.0% a year, 6,385 / 5,732 - 1 = 11.4% over two years; Corporate and Other including Display 1,607 + 73 = 1,680 (FY2020), 1,634 + 130 = 1,764 (FY2021), 1,331 + 114 = 1,445 (FY2022), 868 + 219 = 1,087, 885 + 155 = 1,040, 1,185 (FY2025); 1,185 / 1,680 - 1 = -29%. Display operating margin 235 / 1,060 = 22% (FY2025) and 51 / 885 = 6% (FY2024). DRAM equipment 26% x 20,798 = about 5,400; flash 7% x 20,798 = about 1,460. Company margins: gross 13,808 / 28,368 = 48.7% (FY2025), 12,897 / 27,176 = 47.5% (FY2024), 12,384 / 26,517 = 46.7% (FY2023); operating 8,289 / 28,368 = 29.2%. R&D 3,570 / 28,368 = 12.6%; 3,570 / 1,451 = 2.5 times (FY2015-FY2025). Effective tax 2,273 / 9,271 = 24.5% (FY2025) and 975 / 8,152 = 12.0% (FY2024). Revenue FY2019 14,608 / 16,705 - 1 = -12.6%. Diluted shares 808 / 1,226 - 1 = -34%. Revenue outside the United States 25,305 / 28,368 = 89%. China share of revenue: 5,456 / 17,202 = 31.7% (FY2020); 7,535 / 23,063 = 32.7%; 7,254 / 25,785 = 28.1%; 7,247 / 26,517 = 27.3%; 10,117 / 27,176 = 37.2% (FY2024); 8,529 / 28,368 = 30.1% (FY2025). Taiwan 6,857 / 4,010 - 1 = 71%. Two largest customers 19% + 15% = 34% (FY2025) and 20% + 14% = 34% (nine months FY2026). Backlog: 15,002 / 19,011 - 1 = -21% (October 2022 to October 2025); Semiconductor Systems 7,105 / 12,691 - 1 = -44%; Applied Global Services 7,141 / 5,643 - 1 = +27%; shares of backlog 7,141 / 15,002 = 48% and 7,105 / 15,002 = 47%. Contract liabilities 3,271 / 2,566 - 1 = +27%; receivables 7,691 / 5,185 - 1 = +48%. Cash: net cash 7,241 + 1,332 - 100 - 6,455 = 2,018 (October 2025); 8,022 + 1,449 - 799 - 5,460 = 3,212 (October 2024); 7,037 + 2,196 - 1,299 - 5,245 = 2,689 (July 2026). Payout 1,384 / 6,998 = 19.8%; dividends plus buybacks 1,384 + 4,893 = 6,277, 6,277 / 7,958 = 79% of operating cash flow. ROE 6,998 / ((20,415 + 19,001) / 2) = 35.5% (FY2025), 40.6% (FY2024), 48.0% (FY2023). Trailing twelve months to July 2026: revenue 6,800 + 24,037 = 30,837; net income 1,897 + 7,370 = 9,267; operating cash flow 2,828 + 5,568 = 8,396; capital expenditure 785 + 1,988 = 2,773. Implied FY2026 revenue at the guidance midpoint 24,037 + 10,250 = 34,287, 34,287 / 28,368 - 1 = 20.9%; fourth-quarter midpoint 10,250 / 6,800 - 1 = 50.7%; implied non-GAAP EPS 8.73 + 4.02 = 12.75. Market: 376,360 / 9,267 = 40.6 times trailing earnings; 376,360 / 30,837 = 12.2 times sales; price 474.25 / 723.00 - 1 = -34.4%; Lam Research 384.36 - 376.36 = 8.00 bn more market value. ASML 662.45 / 376.36 = 1.8 times; KLA 246.05 / 376.36 = 0.65. Calendar year-end 2025 P/E 203,780 / 6,998 = 29.1; fiscal year-end P/E 40.91 / 11.83 = 3.5 times the FY2022 low. Other: services growth FY2025 6,385 / 6,225 - 1 = 2.6%; company revenue 28,368 / 27,176 - 1 = 4.4%; dividends 1,384 / 7,958 = 17.4% of operating cash flow; two largest customers FY2024 12% + 11% = 23%; Korea 1,521 / 1,160 - 1 = 31%; Semiconductor Systems 20,798 / 11,367 = 1.83 times (FY2020-FY2025); Display 1,060 / 1,607 - 1 = -34%; net income 6,998 / 1,377 = 5.1 times and EPS 8.66 / 1.12 = 7.7 times (FY2015-FY2025); revenue 28,368 / 9,659 = 2.9 times; balance sheet build July 2026 6,564 + 7,691 + 5,606 = 19,861; Display revenue excluded from Corporate and Other FY2025 1,185 - 1,060 = 125. Revenue FY2024 27,176 / 26,517 - 1 = 2.5%; R&D Q4 917 / 858 - 1 = 6.9%; revenue 30,837 / 25,785 - 1 = 19.6% (FY2022 to trailing July 2026); strategic investment gains 755 + 949 = 1,704; China less Taiwan nine months 6,688 - 5,902 = 786; forward earnings implied 40.91 / 26.95 = 1.52 times trailing; Q4 guide 10,250 / 9,115 - 1 = 12.5% above Q3. Memory share of systems revenue: DRAM plus flash 19% + 21% = 40% (FY2021), 17% + 6% = 23% (FY2023), 26% + 7% = 33% (FY2025). Market value 376,360 / 182,232 = 2.07 times the FY2025 year-end value; trailing net income 9,267 / 6,998 - 1 = 32%. Operating income 8,289 / 1,693 = 4.9 times (FY2015-FY2025). P/E gap to Lam 57.7 - 40.9 = 16.8. Q3 FY2026 returns 860 / 3,037 = 28% of operating cash flow. China plus Taiwan nine months (6,688 + 5,902) / 24,037 = 52%. Systems revenue Q1 to Q3 FY2026 7,040 / 5,141 - 1 = 37%. Systems share of segment operating income FY2025 7,379 / (7,379 + 1,792) = 7,379 / 9,171 = 80%. Systems R&D 3,042 / 20,798 = 14.6%. Third quarter share of nine-month systems profit 2,657 / 6,176 = 43%. Services FY2024 6,225 / 5,732 - 1 = 8.6%. Services share of backlog 4,335 / 11,758 = 37% (October 2021). Research per diluted share 1,451 / 1,226 = 1.18 (FY2015) and 3,570 / 808 = 4.42 (FY2025). Net cash plus long-term investments 2,689 + 5,268 = 7,957. Dividends per share 1.78 / 1.22 - 1 = 46%. ROE 35.5% / 10% = 3.5 times - geography, customers and backlog. — FY2015-FY2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in Applied Materials' Forms 10-K and 10-Q, results releases and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  13. ReportedIn February 2026 Applied paid $252.5 million to settle an export-control case over shipments to China.
    Applied Materials press release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - $252.5 million settlement with the Department of Commerce over shipments to China between November 2020 and July 2022; DOJ and SEC closed their investigations. — February 2026 · publ. 11 February 2026 · source ↗
  14. ReportedIn the quarter to July 2026 revenue was a record $9,115 million, up 25%, and the fourth-quarter guidance of $10,250 million implies fiscal 2026 revenue of about $34.3 billion.
    Applied Materials third-quarter fiscal 2026 results release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - record revenue, segment results, revenue by geography, employees and fourth-quarter guidance - highlights, income statement, cash flow, quotes and fourth-quarter guidance. — Q3 FY2026 · publ. 13 August 2026 · source ↗
  15. Moat Explorer calcIn the quarter to July 2026 revenue was a record $9,115 million, up 25%, and the fourth-quarter guidance of $10,250 million implies fiscal 2026 revenue of about $34.3 billion.
    Moat Explorer calculation from Applied Materials' reported figures ($ millions unless stated). Segment shares FY2025: Semiconductor Systems 20,798 / 28,368 = 73.3%; Applied Global Services 6,385 / 28,368 = 22.5%; Corporate and Other 1,185 / 28,368 = 4.2%. Segment operating margins FY2025: 7,379 / 20,798 = 35.5%; 1,792 / 6,385 = 28.1%; FY2024 6,981 / 19,911 = 35.1%, 1,812 / 6,225 = 29.1%; FY2023 6,879 / 19,698 = 34.9%, 1,529 / 5,732 = 26.7%. Q3 FY2026 margins: Semiconductor Systems 2,657 / 7,040 = 37.7%; Applied Global Services 536 / 1,781 = 30.1%; company operating margin 3,075 / 9,115 = 33.7%. Q1 FY2026 Semiconductor Systems 1,427 / 5,141 = 27.8%. Nine months FY2026 6,176 / 18,146 = 34.0% and 1,461 / 5,005 = 29.2%. Growth Q3 FY2026: Semiconductor Systems 7,040 / 5,564 - 1 = 26.5% year on year and 7,040 / 5,965 - 1 = 18.0% on the quarter; Applied Global Services 1,781 / 1,463 - 1 = 21.7%; revenue 9,115 / 7,910 - 1 = 15.2% on the quarter; United States revenue 1,367 / 683 - 1 = 100%; Europe 483 / 160 = 3.0 times. Nine months: 18,146 / 16,562 - 1 = 9.6%; 5,005 / 4,236 - 1 = 18.2%. Segment history, revenue: Semiconductor Systems 11,367 (FY2020), 16,286, 18,797, 19,698, 19,911, 20,798 (FY2025), compound growth (20,798 / 11,367)^(1/5) - 1 = 12.8% a year; Applied Global Services 4,155, 5,013, 5,543, 5,732, 6,225, 6,385, compound growth (6,385 / 4,155)^(1/5) - 1 = 9.0% a year, 6,385 / 5,732 - 1 = 11.4% over two years; Corporate and Other including Display 1,607 + 73 = 1,680 (FY2020), 1,634 + 130 = 1,764 (FY2021), 1,331 + 114 = 1,445 (FY2022), 868 + 219 = 1,087, 885 + 155 = 1,040, 1,185 (FY2025); 1,185 / 1,680 - 1 = -29%. Display operating margin 235 / 1,060 = 22% (FY2025) and 51 / 885 = 6% (FY2024). DRAM equipment 26% x 20,798 = about 5,400; flash 7% x 20,798 = about 1,460. Company margins: gross 13,808 / 28,368 = 48.7% (FY2025), 12,897 / 27,176 = 47.5% (FY2024), 12,384 / 26,517 = 46.7% (FY2023); operating 8,289 / 28,368 = 29.2%. R&D 3,570 / 28,368 = 12.6%; 3,570 / 1,451 = 2.5 times (FY2015-FY2025). Effective tax 2,273 / 9,271 = 24.5% (FY2025) and 975 / 8,152 = 12.0% (FY2024). Revenue FY2019 14,608 / 16,705 - 1 = -12.6%. Diluted shares 808 / 1,226 - 1 = -34%. Revenue outside the United States 25,305 / 28,368 = 89%. China share of revenue: 5,456 / 17,202 = 31.7% (FY2020); 7,535 / 23,063 = 32.7%; 7,254 / 25,785 = 28.1%; 7,247 / 26,517 = 27.3%; 10,117 / 27,176 = 37.2% (FY2024); 8,529 / 28,368 = 30.1% (FY2025). Taiwan 6,857 / 4,010 - 1 = 71%. Two largest customers 19% + 15% = 34% (FY2025) and 20% + 14% = 34% (nine months FY2026). Backlog: 15,002 / 19,011 - 1 = -21% (October 2022 to October 2025); Semiconductor Systems 7,105 / 12,691 - 1 = -44%; Applied Global Services 7,141 / 5,643 - 1 = +27%; shares of backlog 7,141 / 15,002 = 48% and 7,105 / 15,002 = 47%. Contract liabilities 3,271 / 2,566 - 1 = +27%; receivables 7,691 / 5,185 - 1 = +48%. Cash: net cash 7,241 + 1,332 - 100 - 6,455 = 2,018 (October 2025); 8,022 + 1,449 - 799 - 5,460 = 3,212 (October 2024); 7,037 + 2,196 - 1,299 - 5,245 = 2,689 (July 2026). Payout 1,384 / 6,998 = 19.8%; dividends plus buybacks 1,384 + 4,893 = 6,277, 6,277 / 7,958 = 79% of operating cash flow. ROE 6,998 / ((20,415 + 19,001) / 2) = 35.5% (FY2025), 40.6% (FY2024), 48.0% (FY2023). Trailing twelve months to July 2026: revenue 6,800 + 24,037 = 30,837; net income 1,897 + 7,370 = 9,267; operating cash flow 2,828 + 5,568 = 8,396; capital expenditure 785 + 1,988 = 2,773. Implied FY2026 revenue at the guidance midpoint 24,037 + 10,250 = 34,287, 34,287 / 28,368 - 1 = 20.9%; fourth-quarter midpoint 10,250 / 6,800 - 1 = 50.7%; implied non-GAAP EPS 8.73 + 4.02 = 12.75. Market: 376,360 / 9,267 = 40.6 times trailing earnings; 376,360 / 30,837 = 12.2 times sales; price 474.25 / 723.00 - 1 = -34.4%; Lam Research 384.36 - 376.36 = 8.00 bn more market value. ASML 662.45 / 376.36 = 1.8 times; KLA 246.05 / 376.36 = 0.65. Calendar year-end 2025 P/E 203,780 / 6,998 = 29.1; fiscal year-end P/E 40.91 / 11.83 = 3.5 times the FY2022 low. Other: services growth FY2025 6,385 / 6,225 - 1 = 2.6%; company revenue 28,368 / 27,176 - 1 = 4.4%; dividends 1,384 / 7,958 = 17.4% of operating cash flow; two largest customers FY2024 12% + 11% = 23%; Korea 1,521 / 1,160 - 1 = 31%; Semiconductor Systems 20,798 / 11,367 = 1.83 times (FY2020-FY2025); Display 1,060 / 1,607 - 1 = -34%; net income 6,998 / 1,377 = 5.1 times and EPS 8.66 / 1.12 = 7.7 times (FY2015-FY2025); revenue 28,368 / 9,659 = 2.9 times; balance sheet build July 2026 6,564 + 7,691 + 5,606 = 19,861; Display revenue excluded from Corporate and Other FY2025 1,185 - 1,060 = 125. Revenue FY2024 27,176 / 26,517 - 1 = 2.5%; R&D Q4 917 / 858 - 1 = 6.9%; revenue 30,837 / 25,785 - 1 = 19.6% (FY2022 to trailing July 2026); strategic investment gains 755 + 949 = 1,704; China less Taiwan nine months 6,688 - 5,902 = 786; forward earnings implied 40.91 / 26.95 = 1.52 times trailing; Q4 guide 10,250 / 9,115 - 1 = 12.5% above Q3. Memory share of systems revenue: DRAM plus flash 19% + 21% = 40% (FY2021), 17% + 6% = 23% (FY2023), 26% + 7% = 33% (FY2025). Market value 376,360 / 182,232 = 2.07 times the FY2025 year-end value; trailing net income 9,267 / 6,998 - 1 = 32%. Operating income 8,289 / 1,693 = 4.9 times (FY2015-FY2025). P/E gap to Lam 57.7 - 40.9 = 16.8. Q3 FY2026 returns 860 / 3,037 = 28% of operating cash flow. China plus Taiwan nine months (6,688 + 5,902) / 24,037 = 52%. Systems revenue Q1 to Q3 FY2026 7,040 / 5,141 - 1 = 37%. Systems share of segment operating income FY2025 7,379 / (7,379 + 1,792) = 7,379 / 9,171 = 80%. Systems R&D 3,042 / 20,798 = 14.6%. Third quarter share of nine-month systems profit 2,657 / 6,176 = 43%. Services FY2024 6,225 / 5,732 - 1 = 8.6%. Services share of backlog 4,335 / 11,758 = 37% (October 2021). Research per diluted share 1,451 / 1,226 = 1.18 (FY2015) and 3,570 / 808 = 4.42 (FY2025). Net cash plus long-term investments 2,689 + 5,268 = 7,957. Dividends per share 1.78 / 1.22 - 1 = 46%. ROE 35.5% / 10% = 3.5 times - valuation, cash and capital returns. — FY2015-FY2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in Applied Materials' Forms 10-K and 10-Q, results releases and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  16. Moat Explorer calcReturn on invested capital was 32.1% in fiscal 2025.
    Moat Explorer calculation, tools_roic_edgar.py formula on SEC EDGAR XBRL for CIK 6951: return on invested capital 20.7% (FY2015), 25.8%, 40.7%, 30.2%, 25.5%, 31.6%, 44.3% (FY2021), 42.0%, 39.3%, 39.4%, 32.1% (FY2025). FY2025 check: invested capital 36,299 - 7,999 - 7,241 = 21,059 and 34,409 - 8,468 - 8,022 = 17,919, average 19,489; tax 2,273 / 9,271 = 24.5%; NOPAT 8,289 x 0.755 = 6,257; 6,257 / 19,489 = 32.1%. — FY2015-FY2025 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: NOPAT (operating income x (1 - effective tax rate, clamped 0-35%)) divided by average operating invested capital (total assets less current liabilities less cash), from SEC EDGAR XBRL. Invested capital still includes short- and long-term investments, so the ratio understates the operating business; FY2025 is depressed by a 24.5% tax rate.
  17. ReportedDiluted shares fell from 1,226 million in fiscal 2015 to 808 million in 2025, and the dividend has risen for nine consecutive years.
    SEC EDGAR XBRL company facts for Applied Materials (CIK 6951) - revenue, net income, diluted EPS, R&D, capital expenditure, buybacks and diluted shares, FY2015-FY2025. — FY2015-FY2025 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
  18. ReportedDiluted shares fell from 1,226 million in fiscal 2015 to 808 million in 2025, and the dividend has risen for nine consecutive years.
    Applied Materials second-quarter fiscal 2026 results release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - the 15% dividend increase and the calendar-2026 outlook. — Q2 FY2026 · publ. 14 May 2026 · source ↗
  19. ReportedThe shares were $474.25 on 24 September 2026, a market value of $376.36 billion, about 40.6 times trailing earnings, below Lam Research's $384.36 billion.
    Applied Materials (AMAT) market data - $474.25 at the close on 24 September 2026, market cap $376.36B, trailing P/E 40.91, 52-week range $196.20-$739.67, 39 analysts. — September 2026 · publ. 24 September 2026 · source ↗
  20. Moat Explorer calcThe shares were $474.25 on 24 September 2026, a market value of $376.36 billion, about 40.6 times trailing earnings, below Lam Research's $384.36 billion.
    Moat Explorer calculation from Applied Materials' reported figures ($ millions unless stated). Segment shares FY2025: Semiconductor Systems 20,798 / 28,368 = 73.3%; Applied Global Services 6,385 / 28,368 = 22.5%; Corporate and Other 1,185 / 28,368 = 4.2%. Segment operating margins FY2025: 7,379 / 20,798 = 35.5%; 1,792 / 6,385 = 28.1%; FY2024 6,981 / 19,911 = 35.1%, 1,812 / 6,225 = 29.1%; FY2023 6,879 / 19,698 = 34.9%, 1,529 / 5,732 = 26.7%. Q3 FY2026 margins: Semiconductor Systems 2,657 / 7,040 = 37.7%; Applied Global Services 536 / 1,781 = 30.1%; company operating margin 3,075 / 9,115 = 33.7%. Q1 FY2026 Semiconductor Systems 1,427 / 5,141 = 27.8%. Nine months FY2026 6,176 / 18,146 = 34.0% and 1,461 / 5,005 = 29.2%. Growth Q3 FY2026: Semiconductor Systems 7,040 / 5,564 - 1 = 26.5% year on year and 7,040 / 5,965 - 1 = 18.0% on the quarter; Applied Global Services 1,781 / 1,463 - 1 = 21.7%; revenue 9,115 / 7,910 - 1 = 15.2% on the quarter; United States revenue 1,367 / 683 - 1 = 100%; Europe 483 / 160 = 3.0 times. Nine months: 18,146 / 16,562 - 1 = 9.6%; 5,005 / 4,236 - 1 = 18.2%. Segment history, revenue: Semiconductor Systems 11,367 (FY2020), 16,286, 18,797, 19,698, 19,911, 20,798 (FY2025), compound growth (20,798 / 11,367)^(1/5) - 1 = 12.8% a year; Applied Global Services 4,155, 5,013, 5,543, 5,732, 6,225, 6,385, compound growth (6,385 / 4,155)^(1/5) - 1 = 9.0% a year, 6,385 / 5,732 - 1 = 11.4% over two years; Corporate and Other including Display 1,607 + 73 = 1,680 (FY2020), 1,634 + 130 = 1,764 (FY2021), 1,331 + 114 = 1,445 (FY2022), 868 + 219 = 1,087, 885 + 155 = 1,040, 1,185 (FY2025); 1,185 / 1,680 - 1 = -29%. Display operating margin 235 / 1,060 = 22% (FY2025) and 51 / 885 = 6% (FY2024). DRAM equipment 26% x 20,798 = about 5,400; flash 7% x 20,798 = about 1,460. Company margins: gross 13,808 / 28,368 = 48.7% (FY2025), 12,897 / 27,176 = 47.5% (FY2024), 12,384 / 26,517 = 46.7% (FY2023); operating 8,289 / 28,368 = 29.2%. R&D 3,570 / 28,368 = 12.6%; 3,570 / 1,451 = 2.5 times (FY2015-FY2025). Effective tax 2,273 / 9,271 = 24.5% (FY2025) and 975 / 8,152 = 12.0% (FY2024). Revenue FY2019 14,608 / 16,705 - 1 = -12.6%. Diluted shares 808 / 1,226 - 1 = -34%. Revenue outside the United States 25,305 / 28,368 = 89%. China share of revenue: 5,456 / 17,202 = 31.7% (FY2020); 7,535 / 23,063 = 32.7%; 7,254 / 25,785 = 28.1%; 7,247 / 26,517 = 27.3%; 10,117 / 27,176 = 37.2% (FY2024); 8,529 / 28,368 = 30.1% (FY2025). Taiwan 6,857 / 4,010 - 1 = 71%. Two largest customers 19% + 15% = 34% (FY2025) and 20% + 14% = 34% (nine months FY2026). Backlog: 15,002 / 19,011 - 1 = -21% (October 2022 to October 2025); Semiconductor Systems 7,105 / 12,691 - 1 = -44%; Applied Global Services 7,141 / 5,643 - 1 = +27%; shares of backlog 7,141 / 15,002 = 48% and 7,105 / 15,002 = 47%. Contract liabilities 3,271 / 2,566 - 1 = +27%; receivables 7,691 / 5,185 - 1 = +48%. Cash: net cash 7,241 + 1,332 - 100 - 6,455 = 2,018 (October 2025); 8,022 + 1,449 - 799 - 5,460 = 3,212 (October 2024); 7,037 + 2,196 - 1,299 - 5,245 = 2,689 (July 2026). Payout 1,384 / 6,998 = 19.8%; dividends plus buybacks 1,384 + 4,893 = 6,277, 6,277 / 7,958 = 79% of operating cash flow. ROE 6,998 / ((20,415 + 19,001) / 2) = 35.5% (FY2025), 40.6% (FY2024), 48.0% (FY2023). Trailing twelve months to July 2026: revenue 6,800 + 24,037 = 30,837; net income 1,897 + 7,370 = 9,267; operating cash flow 2,828 + 5,568 = 8,396; capital expenditure 785 + 1,988 = 2,773. Implied FY2026 revenue at the guidance midpoint 24,037 + 10,250 = 34,287, 34,287 / 28,368 - 1 = 20.9%; fourth-quarter midpoint 10,250 / 6,800 - 1 = 50.7%; implied non-GAAP EPS 8.73 + 4.02 = 12.75. Market: 376,360 / 9,267 = 40.6 times trailing earnings; 376,360 / 30,837 = 12.2 times sales; price 474.25 / 723.00 - 1 = -34.4%; Lam Research 384.36 - 376.36 = 8.00 bn more market value. ASML 662.45 / 376.36 = 1.8 times; KLA 246.05 / 376.36 = 0.65. Calendar year-end 2025 P/E 203,780 / 6,998 = 29.1; fiscal year-end P/E 40.91 / 11.83 = 3.5 times the FY2022 low. Other: services growth FY2025 6,385 / 6,225 - 1 = 2.6%; company revenue 28,368 / 27,176 - 1 = 4.4%; dividends 1,384 / 7,958 = 17.4% of operating cash flow; two largest customers FY2024 12% + 11% = 23%; Korea 1,521 / 1,160 - 1 = 31%; Semiconductor Systems 20,798 / 11,367 = 1.83 times (FY2020-FY2025); Display 1,060 / 1,607 - 1 = -34%; net income 6,998 / 1,377 = 5.1 times and EPS 8.66 / 1.12 = 7.7 times (FY2015-FY2025); revenue 28,368 / 9,659 = 2.9 times; balance sheet build July 2026 6,564 + 7,691 + 5,606 = 19,861; Display revenue excluded from Corporate and Other FY2025 1,185 - 1,060 = 125. Revenue FY2024 27,176 / 26,517 - 1 = 2.5%; R&D Q4 917 / 858 - 1 = 6.9%; revenue 30,837 / 25,785 - 1 = 19.6% (FY2022 to trailing July 2026); strategic investment gains 755 + 949 = 1,704; China less Taiwan nine months 6,688 - 5,902 = 786; forward earnings implied 40.91 / 26.95 = 1.52 times trailing; Q4 guide 10,250 / 9,115 - 1 = 12.5% above Q3. Memory share of systems revenue: DRAM plus flash 19% + 21% = 40% (FY2021), 17% + 6% = 23% (FY2023), 26% + 7% = 33% (FY2025). Market value 376,360 / 182,232 = 2.07 times the FY2025 year-end value; trailing net income 9,267 / 6,998 - 1 = 32%. Operating income 8,289 / 1,693 = 4.9 times (FY2015-FY2025). P/E gap to Lam 57.7 - 40.9 = 16.8. Q3 FY2026 returns 860 / 3,037 = 28% of operating cash flow. China plus Taiwan nine months (6,688 + 5,902) / 24,037 = 52%. Systems revenue Q1 to Q3 FY2026 7,040 / 5,141 - 1 = 37%. Systems share of segment operating income FY2025 7,379 / (7,379 + 1,792) = 7,379 / 9,171 = 80%. Systems R&D 3,042 / 20,798 = 14.6%. Third quarter share of nine-month systems profit 2,657 / 6,176 = 43%. Services FY2024 6,225 / 5,732 - 1 = 8.6%. Services share of backlog 4,335 / 11,758 = 37% (October 2021). Research per diluted share 1,451 / 1,226 = 1.18 (FY2015) and 3,570 / 808 = 4.42 (FY2025). Net cash plus long-term investments 2,689 + 5,268 = 7,957. Dividends per share 1.78 / 1.22 - 1 = 46%. ROE 35.5% / 10% = 3.5 times - valuation, cash and capital returns. — FY2015-FY2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in Applied Materials' Forms 10-K and 10-Q, results releases and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  21. ReportedThe shares were $474.25 on 24 September 2026, a market value of $376.36 billion, about 40.6 times trailing earnings, below Lam Research's $384.36 billion.
    Lam Research (LRCX) market data - $307.16 a share at the close on 24 September 2026, market cap $384.36B. — September 2026 · publ. 24 September 2026 · source ↗
  22. ReportedAt the end of fiscal 2025 about 46% of its employees were in Asia-Pacific, 42% in North America and 12% in Europe and the Middle East, while almost all of its long-lived assets, $5,071 million of $5,337 million, sat in the United States.
    Applied Materials Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 26 October 2025) - financial statements and notes: capital returns, debt, investments, tax and geography. — FY2025 · publ. 12 December 2025 · source ↗
  23. ReportedAt the end of fiscal 2025 about 46% of its employees were in Asia-Pacific, 42% in North America and 12% in Europe and the Middle East, while almost all of its long-lived assets, $5,071 million of $5,337 million, sat in the United States.
    Applied Materials Form 10-K for fiscal 2025 (year ended 26 October 2025) - financial statements and notes: capital returns, debt, investments, tax and geography. — FY2025 · publ. 12 December 2025 · source ↗
  24. ReportedNo single owner controls it: BlackRock held 9.69% and Vanguard 9.35% of the shares at the end of 2025, and there is one class of stock.
    Applied Materials 2026 proxy statement (DEF 14A) - CEO history, holders of more than 5% and the pay ratio. — FY2025 · publ. 28 January 2026 · source ↗
  25. ReportedApplied was worth $77,187 million at the end of fiscal 2022 and $182,232 million at the end of fiscal 2025, and $376.36 billion in September 2026, when companiesmarketcap ranked it 38th among the world's listed companies by value.
    Applied Materials fiscal-year ratios - market capitalisation, P/E and P/S at each fiscal year end, FY2021-FY2025, and return on equity. — FY2021-FY2025 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
  26. ReportedApplied was worth $77,187 million at the end of fiscal 2022 and $182,232 million at the end of fiscal 2025, and $376.36 billion in September 2026, when companiesmarketcap ranked it 38th among the world's listed companies by value.
    Applied Materials (AMAT) market data - $474.25 at the close on 24 September 2026, market cap $376.36B, trailing P/E 40.91, 52-week range $196.20-$739.67, 39 analysts. — September 2026 · publ. 24 September 2026 · source ↗
  27. ReportedApplied was worth $77,187 million at the end of fiscal 2022 and $182,232 million at the end of fiscal 2025, and $376.36 billion in September 2026, when companiesmarketcap ranked it 38th among the world's listed companies by value.
    Applied Materials market capitalisation - $376.36B on 24 September 2026, ranked 38th among listed companies worldwide. — September 2026 · publ. 24 September 2026 · source ↗
  28. Moat Explorer calcIt more than doubled in under a year, on earnings that rose by about a third.
    Moat Explorer calculation from Applied Materials' reported figures ($ millions unless stated). Segment shares FY2025: Semiconductor Systems 20,798 / 28,368 = 73.3%; Applied Global Services 6,385 / 28,368 = 22.5%; Corporate and Other 1,185 / 28,368 = 4.2%. Segment operating margins FY2025: 7,379 / 20,798 = 35.5%; 1,792 / 6,385 = 28.1%; FY2024 6,981 / 19,911 = 35.1%, 1,812 / 6,225 = 29.1%; FY2023 6,879 / 19,698 = 34.9%, 1,529 / 5,732 = 26.7%. Q3 FY2026 margins: Semiconductor Systems 2,657 / 7,040 = 37.7%; Applied Global Services 536 / 1,781 = 30.1%; company operating margin 3,075 / 9,115 = 33.7%. Q1 FY2026 Semiconductor Systems 1,427 / 5,141 = 27.8%. Nine months FY2026 6,176 / 18,146 = 34.0% and 1,461 / 5,005 = 29.2%. Growth Q3 FY2026: Semiconductor Systems 7,040 / 5,564 - 1 = 26.5% year on year and 7,040 / 5,965 - 1 = 18.0% on the quarter; Applied Global Services 1,781 / 1,463 - 1 = 21.7%; revenue 9,115 / 7,910 - 1 = 15.2% on the quarter; United States revenue 1,367 / 683 - 1 = 100%; Europe 483 / 160 = 3.0 times. Nine months: 18,146 / 16,562 - 1 = 9.6%; 5,005 / 4,236 - 1 = 18.2%. Segment history, revenue: Semiconductor Systems 11,367 (FY2020), 16,286, 18,797, 19,698, 19,911, 20,798 (FY2025), compound growth (20,798 / 11,367)^(1/5) - 1 = 12.8% a year; Applied Global Services 4,155, 5,013, 5,543, 5,732, 6,225, 6,385, compound growth (6,385 / 4,155)^(1/5) - 1 = 9.0% a year, 6,385 / 5,732 - 1 = 11.4% over two years; Corporate and Other including Display 1,607 + 73 = 1,680 (FY2020), 1,634 + 130 = 1,764 (FY2021), 1,331 + 114 = 1,445 (FY2022), 868 + 219 = 1,087, 885 + 155 = 1,040, 1,185 (FY2025); 1,185 / 1,680 - 1 = -29%. Display operating margin 235 / 1,060 = 22% (FY2025) and 51 / 885 = 6% (FY2024). DRAM equipment 26% x 20,798 = about 5,400; flash 7% x 20,798 = about 1,460. Company margins: gross 13,808 / 28,368 = 48.7% (FY2025), 12,897 / 27,176 = 47.5% (FY2024), 12,384 / 26,517 = 46.7% (FY2023); operating 8,289 / 28,368 = 29.2%. R&D 3,570 / 28,368 = 12.6%; 3,570 / 1,451 = 2.5 times (FY2015-FY2025). Effective tax 2,273 / 9,271 = 24.5% (FY2025) and 975 / 8,152 = 12.0% (FY2024). Revenue FY2019 14,608 / 16,705 - 1 = -12.6%. Diluted shares 808 / 1,226 - 1 = -34%. Revenue outside the United States 25,305 / 28,368 = 89%. China share of revenue: 5,456 / 17,202 = 31.7% (FY2020); 7,535 / 23,063 = 32.7%; 7,254 / 25,785 = 28.1%; 7,247 / 26,517 = 27.3%; 10,117 / 27,176 = 37.2% (FY2024); 8,529 / 28,368 = 30.1% (FY2025). Taiwan 6,857 / 4,010 - 1 = 71%. Two largest customers 19% + 15% = 34% (FY2025) and 20% + 14% = 34% (nine months FY2026). Backlog: 15,002 / 19,011 - 1 = -21% (October 2022 to October 2025); Semiconductor Systems 7,105 / 12,691 - 1 = -44%; Applied Global Services 7,141 / 5,643 - 1 = +27%; shares of backlog 7,141 / 15,002 = 48% and 7,105 / 15,002 = 47%. Contract liabilities 3,271 / 2,566 - 1 = +27%; receivables 7,691 / 5,185 - 1 = +48%. Cash: net cash 7,241 + 1,332 - 100 - 6,455 = 2,018 (October 2025); 8,022 + 1,449 - 799 - 5,460 = 3,212 (October 2024); 7,037 + 2,196 - 1,299 - 5,245 = 2,689 (July 2026). Payout 1,384 / 6,998 = 19.8%; dividends plus buybacks 1,384 + 4,893 = 6,277, 6,277 / 7,958 = 79% of operating cash flow. ROE 6,998 / ((20,415 + 19,001) / 2) = 35.5% (FY2025), 40.6% (FY2024), 48.0% (FY2023). Trailing twelve months to July 2026: revenue 6,800 + 24,037 = 30,837; net income 1,897 + 7,370 = 9,267; operating cash flow 2,828 + 5,568 = 8,396; capital expenditure 785 + 1,988 = 2,773. Implied FY2026 revenue at the guidance midpoint 24,037 + 10,250 = 34,287, 34,287 / 28,368 - 1 = 20.9%; fourth-quarter midpoint 10,250 / 6,800 - 1 = 50.7%; implied non-GAAP EPS 8.73 + 4.02 = 12.75. Market: 376,360 / 9,267 = 40.6 times trailing earnings; 376,360 / 30,837 = 12.2 times sales; price 474.25 / 723.00 - 1 = -34.4%; Lam Research 384.36 - 376.36 = 8.00 bn more market value. ASML 662.45 / 376.36 = 1.8 times; KLA 246.05 / 376.36 = 0.65. Calendar year-end 2025 P/E 203,780 / 6,998 = 29.1; fiscal year-end P/E 40.91 / 11.83 = 3.5 times the FY2022 low. Other: services growth FY2025 6,385 / 6,225 - 1 = 2.6%; company revenue 28,368 / 27,176 - 1 = 4.4%; dividends 1,384 / 7,958 = 17.4% of operating cash flow; two largest customers FY2024 12% + 11% = 23%; Korea 1,521 / 1,160 - 1 = 31%; Semiconductor Systems 20,798 / 11,367 = 1.83 times (FY2020-FY2025); Display 1,060 / 1,607 - 1 = -34%; net income 6,998 / 1,377 = 5.1 times and EPS 8.66 / 1.12 = 7.7 times (FY2015-FY2025); revenue 28,368 / 9,659 = 2.9 times; balance sheet build July 2026 6,564 + 7,691 + 5,606 = 19,861; Display revenue excluded from Corporate and Other FY2025 1,185 - 1,060 = 125. Revenue FY2024 27,176 / 26,517 - 1 = 2.5%; R&D Q4 917 / 858 - 1 = 6.9%; revenue 30,837 / 25,785 - 1 = 19.6% (FY2022 to trailing July 2026); strategic investment gains 755 + 949 = 1,704; China less Taiwan nine months 6,688 - 5,902 = 786; forward earnings implied 40.91 / 26.95 = 1.52 times trailing; Q4 guide 10,250 / 9,115 - 1 = 12.5% above Q3. Memory share of systems revenue: DRAM plus flash 19% + 21% = 40% (FY2021), 17% + 6% = 23% (FY2023), 26% + 7% = 33% (FY2025). Market value 376,360 / 182,232 = 2.07 times the FY2025 year-end value; trailing net income 9,267 / 6,998 - 1 = 32%. Operating income 8,289 / 1,693 = 4.9 times (FY2015-FY2025). P/E gap to Lam 57.7 - 40.9 = 16.8. Q3 FY2026 returns 860 / 3,037 = 28% of operating cash flow. China plus Taiwan nine months (6,688 + 5,902) / 24,037 = 52%. Systems revenue Q1 to Q3 FY2026 7,040 / 5,141 - 1 = 37%. Systems share of segment operating income FY2025 7,379 / (7,379 + 1,792) = 7,379 / 9,171 = 80%. Systems R&D 3,042 / 20,798 = 14.6%. Third quarter share of nine-month systems profit 2,657 / 6,176 = 43%. Services FY2024 6,225 / 5,732 - 1 = 8.6%. Services share of backlog 4,335 / 11,758 = 37% (October 2021). Research per diluted share 1,451 / 1,226 = 1.18 (FY2015) and 3,570 / 808 = 4.42 (FY2025). Net cash plus long-term investments 2,689 + 5,268 = 7,957. Dividends per share 1.78 / 1.22 - 1 = 46%. ROE 35.5% / 10% = 3.5 times - valuation, cash and capital returns. — FY2015-FY2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in Applied Materials' Forms 10-K and 10-Q, results releases and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  29. Moat Explorer calcThe moat is wide: breadth across the fab, an installed base that pays rent and a $3.6 billion research budget have kept returns above 20% for eleven years.
    Moat Explorer calculation, tools_roic_edgar.py formula on SEC EDGAR XBRL for CIK 6951: return on invested capital 20.7% (FY2015), 25.8%, 40.7%, 30.2%, 25.5%, 31.6%, 44.3% (FY2021), 42.0%, 39.3%, 39.4%, 32.1% (FY2025). FY2025 check: invested capital 36,299 - 7,999 - 7,241 = 21,059 and 34,409 - 8,468 - 8,022 = 17,919, average 19,489; tax 2,273 / 9,271 = 24.5%; NOPAT 8,289 x 0.755 = 6,257; 6,257 / 19,489 = 32.1%. — FY2015-FY2025 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: NOPAT (operating income x (1 - effective tax rate, clamped 0-35%)) divided by average operating invested capital (total assets less current liabilities less cash), from SEC EDGAR XBRL. Invested capital still includes short- and long-term investments, so the ratio understates the operating business; FY2025 is depressed by a 24.5% tax rate.
Sources
Generated September 25, 2026