Intel vs Applied Materials
Intel Corporation and Applied Materials, Inc. are reviewed side by side to compare business models, financial performance, and market context. This page presents neutral, accessible information to help readers understand how each company operates within its industry, without asserting outcomes or giving financial advice. Educational content, not financial advice.
Intel Corporation and Applied Materials, Inc. are reviewed side by side to compare business models, financial performance, and market context. This page presents neutral, accessible information to hel...
Why It's Moving
Intel Buzzes with Apple and Nvidia Foundry Talks Amid Supply Squeeze
- Apple and Nvidia in talks for Intel's U.S. foundry services around 2028, validating heavy investments in advanced nodes and packaging to challenge TSMC and Samsung.
- Data Center & AI revenues surged 15% sequentially with strong server CPU orders, fueled by NVIDIA collaboration on custom XEON chips integrated with NVLink for top-tier AI performance.
- Supply shortages and low buffer stocks force reliance on external wafers for client business, leading to weak Q1 2026 guidance despite robust demand.
Wall Street rallies behind Applied Materials as analysts upgrade on surging chip equipment demand.
- Mizuho upgraded to Outperform on January 27, raising price target to $370, driven by multi-year tailwinds in global WFE spending.
- Deutsche Bank shifted to Buy on January 23 with a $390 target, highlighting favorable wafer fab trends through 2027 and attractive valuation versus peers.
- Needham lifted target to $390 post-conference on January 20, citing robust semicap demand surge over recent months.
Intel Buzzes with Apple and Nvidia Foundry Talks Amid Supply Squeeze
- Apple and Nvidia in talks for Intel's U.S. foundry services around 2028, validating heavy investments in advanced nodes and packaging to challenge TSMC and Samsung.
- Data Center & AI revenues surged 15% sequentially with strong server CPU orders, fueled by NVIDIA collaboration on custom XEON chips integrated with NVLink for top-tier AI performance.
- Supply shortages and low buffer stocks force reliance on external wafers for client business, leading to weak Q1 2026 guidance despite robust demand.
Wall Street rallies behind Applied Materials as analysts upgrade on surging chip equipment demand.
- Mizuho upgraded to Outperform on January 27, raising price target to $370, driven by multi-year tailwinds in global WFE spending.
- Deutsche Bank shifted to Buy on January 23 with a $390 target, highlighting favorable wafer fab trends through 2027 and attractive valuation versus peers.
- Needham lifted target to $390 post-conference on January 20, citing robust semicap demand surge over recent months.
Investment Analysis
Intel
INTC
Pros
- Intel maintains strong scale and global brand recognition in semiconductors, supported by decades of industry leadership and a large installed customer base.
- The company is making substantial investments in advanced manufacturing and foundry services, aiming to regain technology leadership and diversify revenue streams.
- Intel’s valuation metrics, such as price-to-book and price-to-sales ratios, appear modest relative to sector peers, potentially offering value if execution improves.
Considerations
- Intel faces intense competition in AI and data centre markets, where it lags behind rivals with more advanced and specialised chip offerings.
- Recent financial performance has been weak, with negative earnings per share and a high dividend payout ratio raising sustainability concerns.
- Execution risks remain elevated due to factory delays, leadership transitions, and the challenge of catching up to competitors in next-generation chip production.
Pros
- Applied Materials holds the leading global market position in wafer fabrication equipment, with a broad and technologically advanced portfolio serving diverse chipmakers.
- The company benefits from structural growth drivers in semiconductor manufacturing, including demand for advanced packaging, AI chips, and next-generation transistor technologies.
- Applied Materials demonstrates stronger recent profitability and efficiency metrics compared to many peers, reflecting disciplined cost management and pricing power.
Considerations
- Applied Materials’ revenue growth is tied closely to cyclical capital expenditure trends in the semiconductor industry, exposing it to potential downturns.
- The stock’s current valuation, including its price-to-earnings ratio, is elevated relative to historical levels, potentially limiting near-term upside.
- While diversified, the company remains exposed to geopolitical and regulatory risks affecting global semiconductor supply chains and customer investment decisions.
Related Market Insights
AI Chip Titans: The Intel-Nvidia Alliance Reshapes Semiconductor Investing
Explore the Intel-Nvidia AI chip alliance. Discover investment opportunities, market dynamics, and risks in the semiconductor sector. Invest commission-free with Nemo.
Aimee Silverwood | Financial Analyst
September 21, 2025
Dell's AI Server Surge Signals Infrastructure Gold Rush
Dell's record AI server sales signal a massive infrastructure build-out. Discover investment opportunities in the hardware value chain powering the AI revolution with Nemo.
Aimee Silverwood | Financial Analyst
August 31, 2025
Related Market Insights
AI Chip Titans: The Intel-Nvidia Alliance Reshapes Semiconductor Investing
Explore the Intel-Nvidia AI chip alliance. Discover investment opportunities, market dynamics, and risks in the semiconductor sector. Invest commission-free with Nemo.
Aimee Silverwood | Financial Analyst
September 21, 2025
Dell's AI Server Surge Signals Infrastructure Gold Rush
Dell's record AI server sales signal a massive infrastructure build-out. Discover investment opportunities in the hardware value chain powering the AI revolution with Nemo.
Aimee Silverwood | Financial Analyst
August 31, 2025
Intel (INTC) Next Earnings Date
Intel's next earnings date is April 23, 2026, after market close, which will cover first-quarter 2026 results. This date is based on the company's historical reporting pattern, as Intel has not yet officially announced the specific time for this earnings release. Following the earnings announcement, the company will host a conference call to discuss quarterly performance with investors and analysts. The company most recently reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on January 22, 2026.
Applied Materials (AMAT) Next Earnings Date
Applied Materials is scheduled to report earnings on February 12, 2026, after market close. The report will cover the fiscal quarter ending in January 2026. This earnings release is approaching imminently, occurring just 10 days from the current date. Investors should anticipate the company's financial results and guidance update for the upcoming quarter during this earnings call.
Intel (INTC) Next Earnings Date
Intel's next earnings date is April 23, 2026, after market close, which will cover first-quarter 2026 results. This date is based on the company's historical reporting pattern, as Intel has not yet officially announced the specific time for this earnings release. Following the earnings announcement, the company will host a conference call to discuss quarterly performance with investors and analysts. The company most recently reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on January 22, 2026.
Applied Materials (AMAT) Next Earnings Date
Applied Materials is scheduled to report earnings on February 12, 2026, after market close. The report will cover the fiscal quarter ending in January 2026. This earnings release is approaching imminently, occurring just 10 days from the current date. Investors should anticipate the company's financial results and guidance update for the upcoming quarter during this earnings call.
Which Baskets Do They Appear In?
AI Chip Stocks: Intel-Nvidia Deal Risks & Rewards
Nvidia announced a $5 billion investment in Intel, marking a major collaboration between the two semiconductor rivals to develop new AI and data center technologies. This partnership could create a ripple effect, boosting companies that supply essential hardware and software for the expanding AI infrastructure ecosystem.
Published: September 21, 2025
Explore BasketAI Infrastructure Investment Overview | Dell Results
Dell's recent earnings revealed a massive surge in demand for its AI servers, beating expectations. This highlights a significant investment opportunity in the companies that supply the essential hardware and components powering the AI infrastructure boom.
Published: August 31, 2025
Explore BasketWhich Baskets Do They Appear In?
AI Chip Stocks: Intel-Nvidia Deal Risks & Rewards
Nvidia announced a $5 billion investment in Intel, marking a major collaboration between the two semiconductor rivals to develop new AI and data center technologies. This partnership could create a ripple effect, boosting companies that supply essential hardware and software for the expanding AI infrastructure ecosystem.
Published: September 21, 2025
Explore BasketAI Infrastructure Investment Overview | Dell Results
Dell's recent earnings revealed a massive surge in demand for its AI servers, beating expectations. This highlights a significant investment opportunity in the companies that supply the essential hardware and components powering the AI infrastructure boom.
Published: August 31, 2025
Explore BasketBuy INTC or AMAT in Nemo
Zero Commission
Trade stocks, ETFs, and more with zero commission. Keep more of your returns.
Trusted & Regulated
Part of Exinity Group 2015, serving over a million customers globally.
6% Interest on Cash
Earn 6% AER on uninvested cash with daily interest payments.
Discover More Comparisons
Intel vs AT&T
Intel vs AT&T: Stock comparison
Intel vs Intuit
Intel vs Intuit: A stock comparison
AppLovin vs Applied Materials
AppLovin vs Applied Materials