Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT) Stake Raised by Handelsbanken Fonder AB

Handelsbanken Fonder AB boosted its holdings in Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT - Free Report) by 6.0% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 356,894 shares of the manufacturing equipment provider's stock after buying an additional 20,299 shares during the period. Handelsbanken Fonder AB's holdings in Applied Materials were worth $58,042,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Crews Bank & Trust purchased a new position in Applied Materials in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $28,000. MidAtlantic Capital Management Inc. purchased a new position in Applied Materials in the third quarter valued at approximately $37,000. DT Investment Partners LLC raised its holdings in Applied Materials by 592.9% in the third quarter. DT Investment Partners LLC now owns 194 shares of the manufacturing equipment provider's stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 166 shares during the period. YANKCOM Partnership purchased a new position in Applied Materials in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Finally, Dunhill Financial LLC raised its holdings in Applied Materials by 61.4% in the third quarter. Dunhill Financial LLC now owns 213 shares of the manufacturing equipment provider's stock valued at $43,000 after buying an additional 81 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 80.56% of the company's stock.

Applied Materials Stock Performance

Applied Materials stock traded down $4.03 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $171.98. The company's stock had a trading volume of 7,364,128 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,722,227. The firm has a market cap of $139.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.48, a PEG ratio of 1.83 and a beta of 1.53. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $175.59 and a 200-day moving average price of $183.92. The company has a current ratio of 2.67, a quick ratio of 1.96 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. Applied Materials, Inc. has a twelve month low of $158.96 and a twelve month high of $255.89.

Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, February 13th. The manufacturing equipment provider reported $2.38 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.28 by $0.10. Applied Materials had a net margin of 22.95% and a return on equity of 39.50%. Sell-side analysts predict that Applied Materials, Inc. will post 9.38 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Applied Materials Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, March 13th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, February 20th will be paid a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.93%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, February 20th. Applied Materials's payout ratio is 20.92%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently commented on AMAT. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on shares of Applied Materials from $230.00 to $202.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 10th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on shares of Applied Materials from $210.00 to $200.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, January 13th. Morgan Stanley reiterated an "underweight" rating and set a $164.00 price objective (down previously from $179.00) on shares of Applied Materials in a research note on Thursday, December 5th. Barclays dropped their price objective on shares of Applied Materials from $200.00 to $190.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Finally, Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on shares of Applied Materials from $260.00 to $250.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 15th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and fifteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $215.38.

Applied Materials Company 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.