WallStSmart

Applied Materials Inc (AMAT)vsCharles Schwab Corp (SCHW)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Applied Materials Inc generates 14% more annual revenue ($28.21B vs $24.80B). SCHW leads profitability with a 38.0% profit margin vs 27.8%. SCHW appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.18. SCHW earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 75/100 (B+).

AMAT

Buy

64

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 5.3Profit: 9.5Value: 4.3Quality: 8.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.98

SCHW

Strong Buy

75

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 8.0Value: 6.3Quality: 8.3
Piotroski: 6/9

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

AMAT6 strengths · Avg: 9.5/10
Market CapQuality
$325.89B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
38.9%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 39 in profit

EPS GrowthGrowth
75.2%10/10

Earnings expanding 75.2% YoY

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.9810/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Profit MarginProfitability
27.8%9/10

Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
29.9%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 29.9%

SCHW6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Profit MarginProfitability
38.0%10/10

Keeps 38 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
49.2%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 49.2%

Debt/EquityHealth
0.0910/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Market CapQuality
$156.82B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

P/E RatioValuation
17.8x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Revenue GrowthGrowth
15.8%8/10

15.8% revenue growth

Areas to Watch

AMAT4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.964/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
15.9x4/10

Trading at 15.9x book value

P/E RatioValuation
42.2x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-2.1%2/10

Revenue declined 2.1%

SCHW0 concerns · Avg: 0/10

No major concerns identified

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : AMAT

The strongest argument for AMAT centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.8% and operating margin at 29.9%.

Bull Case : SCHW

The strongest argument for SCHW centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Debt/Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 38.0% and operating margin at 49.2%. Revenue growth of 15.8% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : AMAT

The primary concerns for AMAT are PEG Ratio, Price/Book, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 42.2x leaves little room for execution misses.

Bear Case : SCHW

No major red flags identified for SCHW, but monitor valuation.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

AMAT profiles as a declining stock while SCHW is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

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

SCHW is growing revenue faster at 15.8% — sustainability is the question.

SCHW generates stronger free cash flow (7.2B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

SCHW scores higher overall (75/100 vs 64/100), backed by strong 38.0% margins and 15.8% 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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Charles Schwab Corp

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CAPITAL MARKETS · USA

The Charles Schwab Corporation is an American multinational financial services company. It offers banking, commercial banking, an electronic trading platform, and wealth management advisory services to both retail and institutional clients.

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