Applied Materials Volume Climbs to 62nd Rank on $1.14B Trading Amid Mixed Institutional Moves and Steady Analyst Buy Ratings

On September 3, 2025, Applied Materials (AMAT) traded with a volume of $1.14 billion, ranking 62nd in the market, while the stock closed down 0.84%. Analysts have maintained a "Moderate Buy" consensus rating, with a $193.88 average price target, despite recent adjustments to price forecasts. The firm reported Q2 2025 earnings of $2.48 per share, surpassing estimates, and announced a quarterly dividend of $0.46 per share, yielding 1.2%.

Institutional investors have shown mixed activity. Cullinan Associates Inc. increased its stake, while Psagot Value Holdings Ltd. Israel reduced holdings. Hedge funds like Skye Global Management LP and Redwood Investment Management LLC boosted their positions, reflecting confidence in AMAT's long-term prospects. The company also expanded its Pflugerville operations, signaling potential geographic growth.

Analysts from Mizuho and Wells Fargo reiterated "Buy" ratings, with Wells Fargo lowering its price target to $205.00. Despite a recent 2.6% intraday decline, AMAT's 52-week high of $196.22 remains a key resistance level. Institutional ownership stands at 80.56%, with 82% held by institutions, underscoring strong institutional backing.

Applied Materials' Q2 2025 revenue rose 7.7% year-over-year to $7.3 billion, with a net margin of 23.88%. The company's Q4 2025 guidance of $1.91–$2.31 per share aligns with analysts' $9.38 annual EPS estimate. Recent insider transactions included CAO Adam Sanders selling 562 shares, reducing his ownership by 9.59%, and hedge funds like Generali Investments increasing stakes by 12.7%.

Backtesting results indicated that a $1,000 investment in AMAT over the past decade would have grown to $1,580, reflecting a 58% total return. The stock's beta of 1.77 highlights its volatility relative to the broader market.