APPLIED MATERIALS INC /DE vs INTEL CORP, two Semiconductors stocks. A side-by-side on valuation, growth, margins, returns, and what each price is betting.
Applied Materials and Intel show the two sides of the foundry trade. Intel, rebuilding its manufacturing, is posting negative margins and a negative return on equity, the cost of catching up. Applied, which sells the tools every foundry needs, earns a steady 27% net margin and a 33% return on equity regardless of which chipmaker is winning. Applied trades near 60 times earnings; Intel carries no clean multiple while it loses money. The equipment maker is the calmer way to own the semiconductor buildout.
Comparison updated 2026-06-15.
| Metric | AMAT | INTC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $602.31 | $109.68 |
| Market cap | $481.2B | $557.5B |
| Sector | Semiconductors | Semiconductors |
| Stage | Mature | Mature |
| P/E | 56.7 | — |
| P/B | 20.13 | 4.46 |
| P/S | 16.58 | 10.37 |
| EV/EBITDA | 56.2 | 426.6 |
| Revenue growth | +3.4% | +1.5% |
| Gross margin | 49.9% | 39.4% |
| Operating margin | 31.9% | -23.1% |
| Net margin | 27.3% | -12.6% |
| Return on equity | 33.1% | -5.4% |
| Return on assets | 19.6% | -3.3% |
| Return on invested capital | 23.8% | -0.7% |
| FCF yield | 1.1% | -0.6% |
| Dividend yield | 0.3% | 0.3% |
| Debt / equity | 0.27 | 0.36 |
| Current ratio | 2.51 | 2.31 |
| Altman Z (solvency) | 9.39 | 6.73 |
| Piotroski F (quality) | 6 / 9 | 4 / 9 |
Each week boothcheck ranks the stocks whose prices are betting on the most. Read the most stretched bets archive →
boothcheck is also on Android. Get the app on Google Play →
The stronger value is highlighted per metric where one is strictly better on that single number; it is not an overall verdict on either company. For informational and research purposes only. Not investment advice. Not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. boothcheck is not a registered investment adviser. Past performance does not guarantee future results.