Seek Returns logo

AMAT vs. PLTR: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison

Updated on

Here’s a clear look at AMAT and PLTR, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.

Company Profile

SymbolAMATPLTR
Company NameApplied Materials, Inc.Palantir Technologies Inc.
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyInformation Technology
GICS IndustrySemiconductors & Semiconductor EquipmentSoftware
Market Capitalization130.40 billion USD376.59 billion USD
ExchangeNasdaqGSNasdaqGS
Listing DateMarch 17, 1980September 30, 2020
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of AMAT and PLTR by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.

AMAT vs. PLTR: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

Historical Performance at a Glance

SymbolAMATPLTR
5-Day Price Return-0.64%-8.79%
13-Week Price Return0.16%31.65%
26-Week Price Return-5.53%27.38%
52-Week Price Return-22.30%387.83%
Month-to-Date Return-9.76%0.25%
Year-to-Date Return-0.09%109.89%
10-Day Avg. Volume10.66M89.62M
3-Month Avg. Volume7.24M84.05M
3-Month Volatility39.37%50.92%
Beta1.792.63

Profitability

Return on Equity (TTM)

AMAT

35.84%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max
52.74%
Q3
23.49%
Median
11.60%
Q1
3.23%
Min
-20.69%

In the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, AMAT’s Return on Equity of 35.84% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

PLTR

14.64%

Software Industry

Max
59.01%
Q3
21.98%
Median
7.15%
Q1
-11.12%
Min
-51.24%

PLTR’s Return on Equity of 14.64% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.

AMAT vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Return on Equity (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Net Profit Margin (TTM)

AMAT

24.06%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max
44.17%
Q3
22.38%
Median
11.95%
Q1
3.21%
Min
-25.16%

A Net Profit Margin of 24.06% places AMAT in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

PLTR

22.18%

Software Industry

Max
48.14%
Q3
18.23%
Median
5.60%
Q1
-9.22%
Min
-49.36%

A Net Profit Margin of 22.18% places PLTR in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

AMAT vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Operating Profit Margin (TTM)

AMAT

29.66%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max
58.03%
Q3
27.84%
Median
12.45%
Q1
5.15%
Min
-28.61%

An Operating Profit Margin of 29.66% places AMAT in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

PLTR

16.55%

Software Industry

Max
57.34%
Q3
20.60%
Median
7.84%
Q1
-8.72%
Min
-51.37%

PLTR’s Operating Profit Margin of 16.55% is around the midpoint for the Software industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.

AMAT vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Operating Profit Margin (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

SymbolAMATPLTR
Return on Equity (TTM)35.84%14.64%
Return on Assets (TTM)20.02%11.65%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)24.06%22.18%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)29.66%16.55%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)48.14%80.03%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

AMAT

2.46

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max
8.42
Q3
4.70
Median
2.75
Q1
2.07
Min
1.04

AMAT’s Current Ratio of 2.46 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

PLTR

6.32

Software Industry

Max
3.83
Q3
2.31
Median
1.45
Q1
1.03
Min
0.24

PLTR’s Current Ratio of 6.32 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Software industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.

AMAT vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Current Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)

AMAT

0.33

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max
1.09
Q3
0.45
Median
0.22
Q1
0.01
Min
0.00

AMAT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.33 is typical for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

PLTR

0.00

Software Industry

Max
2.14
Q3
0.90
Median
0.29
Q1
0.00
Min
0.00

PLTR’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.00 is typical for the Software industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.

AMAT vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)

AMAT

41.21

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max
174.00
Q3
81.10
Median
27.22
Q1
7.28
Min
-4.26

AMAT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 41.21 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

PLTR

-1.53

Software Industry

Max
67.02
Q3
19.86
Median
0.70
Q1
-12.50
Min
-53.00

PLTR has a negative Interest Coverage Ratio of -1.53. This indicates that its earnings were insufficient to cover even its operational costs, let alone its interest payments, signaling significant financial distress.

AMAT vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

SymbolAMATPLTR
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.466.32
Quick Ratio (MRQ)1.676.19
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)0.330.00
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)41.21-1.53

Growth

Revenue Growth

AMAT vs. PLTR: A side-by-side comparison of their Revenue Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

EPS Growth

AMAT vs. PLTR: A side-by-side comparison of their EPS Growth for the MRQ (YoY), TTM (YoY), 3-Year CAGR, and 5-Year CAGR periods.

Dividend

Dividend Yield (TTM)

AMAT

1.02%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max
4.16%
Q3
1.78%
Median
0.74%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

AMAT’s Dividend Yield of 1.02% is consistent with its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

PLTR

0.00%

Software Industry

Max
0.08%
Q3
0.03%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

PLTR currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.

AMAT vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Dividend Yield (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

AMAT

19.40%

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max
196.12%
Q3
87.72%
Median
26.57%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

AMAT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 19.40% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.

PLTR

0.00%

Software Industry

Max
1.32%
Q3
0.53%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

PLTR has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.

AMAT vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

SymbolAMATPLTR
Dividend Yield (TTM)1.02%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)19.40%0.00%

Valuation

Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)

AMAT

19.07

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max
109.37
Q3
57.11
Median
28.95
Q1
22.13
Min
11.14

In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, AMAT’s P/E Ratio of 19.07 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

PLTR

485.17

Software Industry

Max
149.35
Q3
100.21
Median
47.97
Q1
26.77
Min
11.68

At 485.17, PLTR’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Software industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.

AMAT vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)

AMAT

4.59

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max
16.09
Q3
10.10
Median
4.82
Q1
2.60
Min
0.93

AMAT’s P/S Ratio of 4.59 aligns with the market consensus for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

PLTR

107.63

Software Industry

Max
25.24
Q3
13.52
Median
8.15
Q1
4.87
Min
0.98

With a P/S Ratio of 107.63, PLTR trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Software industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.

AMAT vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)

AMAT

6.46

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry

Max
13.56
Q3
6.75
Median
3.68
Q1
1.89
Min
0.60

AMAT’s P/B Ratio of 6.46 is within the conventional range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.

PLTR

54.26

Software Industry

Max
30.95
Q3
14.91
Median
7.75
Q1
3.60
Min
0.38

At 54.26, PLTR’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Software industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.

AMAT vs. PLTR: A comparison of their Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Software industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

SymbolAMATPLTR
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)19.07485.17
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)4.59107.63
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)6.4654.26
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM)21.99216.73