Wallstreetbets Stocks Mixed Friday: UnitedHealth Group to Rise, Applied Materials to Fall

WallStreetBets stocks are mixed premarket on Friday, with UnitedHealth Group set to advance and Applied Materials expected to decline. Applied Materials specializes in equipment for producing integrated circuits and semi-conductor components, with net sales primarily from the semiconductor industry. The company's net sales are distributed geographically across the US, China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Asia, and Europe.

Premarket trading on WallStreetBets stocks showed mixed results on Friday, with UnitedHealth Group (UNH) poised for advancement and Applied Materials (AMAT) expected to decline. UnitedHealth Group, a leading health insurer, saw a significant boost after Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway revealed a new stake in the company, according to a regulatory filing. Berkshire Hathaway bought more than 5 million shares, amounting to a stake of more than $1.6 billion at the end of June [1].

Meanwhile, Applied Materials, a semiconductor equipment manufacturer, is anticipated to decline. The company reported an 11% drop after the current-quarter outlook missed expectations of analysts polled by LSEG. Despite this, the company's fiscal third-quarter earnings and revenue topped estimates [1].

Applied Materials specializes in equipment for producing integrated circuits and semiconductor components, with net sales primarily from the semiconductor industry. The company's net sales are distributed geographically across the US, China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Asia, and Europe. The company's recent earnings report highlighted a challenging environment, particularly in China, which contributed 35% of its revenue but faces capacity digestion, export delays, and demand shifts to advanced nodes [2].

The company warned of a sequential revenue decline in Q4, citing “capacity digestion” in China and “non-linear demand” from leading-edge customers. Trade policies, export license delays, and the timing of advanced fab projects are compounding these pressures. Despite these challenges, Applied Materials is doubling down on AI-driven tools and expanding in Europe and India, aiming to mitigate China's volatility [2].

For investors, Applied Materials presents a compelling but nuanced case. The company's long-term growth story is anchored in AI, a sector with multi-trillion-dollar potential. However, near-term risks, particularly in China, could lead to earnings volatility. Investors with a 3–5 year horizon should consider adding Applied Materials to a portfolio focused on AI infrastructure. Given the uncertainty in China, hedging with short-term options or diversifying into peers with less exposure to the region is advisable [2].

References:
[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/14/stocks-making-big-moves-after-hours-amat-unh-intc-and-more.html
[2] https://www.ainvest.com/news/applied-materials-q3-2025-earnings-navigating-china-exposure-long-term-semiconductor-growth-opportunities-2508/