WallStSmart

Applied Materials Inc (AMAT)vsPhotronics Inc (PLAB)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Applied Materials Inc generates 3270% more annual revenue ($29.02B vs $861.17M). AMAT leads profitability with a 29.3% profit margin vs 18.5%. AMAT appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.56. AMAT earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 72/100 (B).

AMAT

Strong Buy

72

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 6.7Profit: 9.5Value: 4.3Quality: 8.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.98

PLAB

Buy

64

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 5.3Profit: 7.0Value: 5.7Quality: 8.5
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 6.56

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

AMAT6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Market CapQuality
$389.08B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
35.6%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 36 in profit

Operating MarginProfitability
31.9%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 31.9%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.9810/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Profit MarginProfitability
29.3%9/10

Keeps 29 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Debt/EquityHealth
0.279/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

PLAB6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
P/E RatioValuation
11.9x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Price/BookValuation
1.4x10/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
270.5%10/10

Earnings expanding 270.5% YoY

Debt/EquityHealth
0.0010/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
6.5610/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Operating MarginProfitability
20.1%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 20.1%

Areas to Watch

AMAT3 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.564/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
15.0x4/10

Trading at 15.0x book value

P/E RatioValuation
46.1x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

PLAB4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Market CapQuality
$1.91B3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
2.642/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-0.5%2/10

Revenue declined 0.5%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : AMAT

The strongest argument for AMAT centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 29.3% and operating margin at 31.9%. Revenue growth of 11.4% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : PLAB

The strongest argument for PLAB centers on P/E Ratio, Price/Book, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 18.5% and operating margin at 20.1%.

Bear Case : AMAT

The primary concerns for AMAT are PEG Ratio, Price/Book, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 46.1x leaves little room for execution misses.

Bear Case : PLAB

The primary concerns for PLAB are Market Cap, Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

AMAT profiles as a mature stock while PLAB is a declining play — different risk/reward profiles.

AMAT carries more volatility with a beta of 1.65 — expect wider price swings.

AMAT is growing revenue faster at 11.4% — sustainability is the question.

AMAT generates stronger free cash flow (208M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

AMAT scores higher overall (72/100 vs 64/100), backed by strong 29.3% margins and 11.4% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Applied Materials Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS · USA

Applied Materials, Inc. is an American corporation that supplies equipment, services and software for the manufacture of semiconductor (integrated circuit) chips for electronics, flat panel displays for computers, smartphones and televisions, and solar products. The company also supplies equipment to produce coatings for flexible electronics, packaging and other applications. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, in Silicon Valley.

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Photronics Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS · USA

Photronics, Inc. manufactures and sells photomask products and services in the United States, Taiwan, Korea, Europe, China, and internationally. The company is headquartered in Brookfield, Connecticut.

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