Applied Materials vs Broadcom (AMAT vs AVGO)
Applied Materials (AMAT) vs Broadcom (AVGO) in plain English: P/E, growth, margins, debt and dividend side by side, key differences and which fits each investor profile.
Applied Materials (AMAT) and Broadcom (AVGO) compete in semiconductors. Here are Applied Materials and Broadcom side by side with their real figures as of November 4, 2026: what sets them apart, which fits each kind of investor and the most common questions, without telling you whether to buy Applied Materials or Broadcom.
Applied Materials vs Broadcom: the figures
| Figure | Applied Materials | Broadcom |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $369.40 (November 4, 2026) | $325.48 (November 4, 2026) |
| Market cap | $293.2 billion | $1.55 trillion |
| P/E (TTM) | 31.9x | 41.6x |
| Forward P/E | 19.9x | 16.7x |
| Revenue growth (quarter) | +24.8% | +85.5% |
| Net margin (TTM) | 30.1% | 42.9% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | Net cash | 0.7x |
| Dividend yield | 0.56% | 0.78% |
| Beta | 1.67 | 1.51 |
Applied Materials and Broadcom figures from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026; N/A means that Applied Materials or Broadcom figure is not available, and we never estimate it.
3 key differences between Applied Materials and Broadcom
- Growth: Broadcom grew sales +85.5% year on year in its latest quarter, against +24.8% for Applied Materials.
- Profitability: for every 100 of sales, Broadcom keeps 42.9 as net profit and Applied Materials keeps 30.1.
- Valuation: Broadcom trades at 41.6x its annual earnings and Applied Materials at 31.9x; the market pays more for each dollar of Broadcom profit, usually because it expects more growth.
Applied Materials or Broadcom: which fits your profile
- If you want growth: Broadcom is growing faster today, so it fits better with investors who put business growth first, usually accepting a higher P/E and a bumpier ride.
- If you want income (dividends): Broadcom pays the higher dividend relative to its price.
- If you prefer caution: Applied Materials has less debt relative to its profit, which usually gives more room in a bad year.
- If price is what matters most to you: Applied Materials trades on the lower P/E; check first whether that is an opportunity or a sign of a business that grows less.
Neither Applied Materials nor Broadcom wins on everything, and owning both is also an option: spreading money across several companies or an index fund reduces what rides on each one.
How Applied Materials and Broadcom make money
Applied Materials (AMAT)
Applied Materials builds the equipment chipmakers use to deposit, etch and inspect layers on silicon wafers. Its Semiconductor Systems segment brings in most revenue, while Applied Global Services sells spare parts, upgrades and service contracts for machines already installed. Key customers include TSMC, Samsung and Intel, with Asia as the largest market. Full Applied Materials analysis.
Broadcom (AVGO)
Broadcom has two segments. Semiconductor Solutions, the larger, sells networking chips for data centers, custom AI accelerators for big tech customers, and broadband, storage and wireless components used in smartphones. Infrastructure Software, expanded by the VMware deal, sells private cloud, mainframe and cybersecurity software to large enterprises. Full Broadcom analysis.
Frequently asked questions: Applied Materials vs Broadcom
Is Applied Materials or Broadcom the better stock?
Choosing between Applied Materials and Broadcom depends on what you are looking for. Broadcom is growing faster right now, and Applied Materials trades on the lower P/E. Fintols does not tell you whether to buy Applied Materials or Broadcom: it shows you the differences so you can decide.
Which pays a higher dividend, Applied Materials or Broadcom?
As of November 4, 2026, Broadcom yields 0.78% and Applied Materials yields 0.56%. Also check how much of their profit Applied Materials and Broadcom pay out: if it is more than they earn, it cannot last.
Which is more expensive, Applied Materials or Broadcom?
On P/E, Broadcom (41.6x) is more expensive than Applied Materials (31.9x) as of November 4, 2026. A higher P/E can be justified if earnings grow faster, so compare it with each company's growth in the table.
Can I own both Applied Materials and Broadcom?
Yes. Many people spread their money across several companies, such as Applied Materials and Broadcom, or use index funds so they do not depend on just one. If you are starting out, decide how much you want to invest and for how long before buying Applied Materials or Broadcom.
More comparisons with Applied Materials or Broadcom
- Applied Materials vs Intel
- Applied Materials vs Qualcomm
- Applied Materials vs Texas Instruments
- Broadcom vs Nvidia
More companies like Applied Materials and Broadcom: semiconductors stocks. Educational content about Applied Materials and Broadcom, not investment advice.