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AMAT vs. TSM: Applied Materials vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg Stock Comparison

How do Applied Materials (AMAT) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Applied Materials (AMAT) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) both belong to the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, though AMAT is classified under Semiconductor Materials & Equipment while TSM falls under Semiconductors.

Applied Materials (AMAT) trades as ordinary local shares, while Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.

Company profile comparison for Applied Materials (AMAT) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
Profile ItemAMATTSM
NameApplied Materials Inc.Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. ADR
Country/RegionUnited StatesTaiwan
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyInformation Technology
GICS Industry GroupSemiconductors & Semiconductor EquipmentSemiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS IndustrySemiconductors & Semiconductor EquipmentSemiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS Sub-IndustrySemiconductor Materials & EquipmentSemiconductors
Market Capitalization264.04 billion USD1,947.21 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateMarch 17, 1980October 9, 1997
Security TypeCommon StockADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

AMAT
TSM
GSPC
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Applied Materials (AMAT) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Applied Materials (AMAT) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Applied Materials (AMAT) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Applied Materials (AMAT) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricAMATTSM
Total Return (1Y)62.12%37.26%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)38.42%64.12%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)19.86%28.19%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

AMAT
TSM
GSPC
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Applied Materials (AMAT) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Applied Materials (AMAT) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Applied Materials (AMAT) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricAMATTSM
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)63.72%41.69%
Beta (5Y)1.681.45
Max Drawdown (5Y)-55.80%-56.47%
Avg. Volume (3M)7.16M11.20M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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AMAT and TSM are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Applied Materials (AMAT) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricAMATTSM
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.910.79
Sortino Ratio (1Y)1.351.15

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both Applied Materials (AMAT) at 41.07% and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 41.86% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.

AMAT

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

41.07%

Max
52.82%
AMAT
41.07%
Q3
22.26%
Median
10.58%
Q1
1.29%
Min
-16.89%

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

41.86%

Max
52.82%
TSM
41.86%
Q3
22.26%
Median
10.58%
Q1
1.29%
Min
-16.89%
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Applied Materials (AMAT) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their ROE against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

For every dollar of sales, both Applied Materials (AMAT) at 30.05% and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 51.12% retain more as net profit than most peers, landing in the top net margin quartile of their industries.

AMAT

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

30.05%

Max
63.80%
AMAT
30.05%
Q3
28.36%
Median
11.44%
Q1
0.90%
Min
-37.77%

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

51.12%

Max
63.80%
TSM
51.12%
Q3
28.36%
Median
11.44%
Q1
0.90%
Min
-37.77%
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Applied Materials (AMAT) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their net margin against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Applied Materials (AMAT) at 33.74% and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 58.66% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

AMAT

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

33.74%

Max
58.66%
AMAT
33.74%
Q3
30.23%
Median
15.91%
Q1
7.54%
Min
-25.74%

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

58.66%

TSM
58.66%
Max
58.66%
Q3
30.23%
Median
15.91%
Q1
7.54%
Min
-25.74%
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Applied Materials (AMAT) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their operating margin against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Applied Materials (AMAT) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricAMATTSM
ROE (TTM)41.07%41.86%
ROA (TTM)15.48%20.58%
Net Margin (TTM)30.05%51.12%
Operating Margin (TTM)33.74%58.66%
Gross Margin (TTM)49.40%65.85%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 31.61% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while Applied Materials (AMAT) at 4.39% is closer to the peer norm — faster top-line expansion for TSM.

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Applied Materials (AMAT) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 46.41% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Applied Materials (AMAT) at 0.58% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for TSM.

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Applied Materials (AMAT) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Applied Materials (AMAT) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricAMATTSM
Revenue Growth (YoY)4.39%31.61%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)3.23%18.94%
EPS Growth (YoY)0.58%46.41%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)5.19%19.12%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Applied Materials (AMAT) at 2.42 and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 2.51 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

AMAT

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

2.42

Max
10.33
Q3
5.62
Median
3.33
AMAT
2.42
Q1
2.35
Min
1.03

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

2.51

Max
10.33
Q3
5.62
Median
3.33
TSM
2.51
Q1
2.35
Min
1.03
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Applied Materials (AMAT) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their current ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both Applied Materials (AMAT) at 0.29 and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 0.12 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.

AMAT

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.29

Max
1.46
Q3
0.65
AMAT
0.29
Median
0.27
Q1
0.04
Min
0.00

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.12

Max
1.46
Q3
0.65
Median
0.27
TSM
0.12
Q1
0.04
Min
0.00
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Applied Materials (AMAT) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Applied Materials (AMAT) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricAMATTSM
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.422.51
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.290.12
Net Debt / EBITDA-0.19-0.89

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Applied Materials (AMAT) at 0.62% pays an industry-typical yield; Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 1.70% is above its entire peer range — the higher number, but one that calls for a look at payout sustainability before treating it as an advantage.

AMAT

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.62%

Max
1.37%
Q3
0.65%
AMAT
0.62%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

1.70%

TSM
1.70%
Max
1.37%
Q3
0.65%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Applied Materials (AMAT) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Applied Materials (AMAT) at 16.48% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 24.46% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.

AMAT

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

16.48%

Max
49.64%
Q3
21.71%
AMAT
16.48%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

24.46%

Max
49.64%
TSM
24.46%
Q3
21.71%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Applied Materials (AMAT) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Applied Materials (AMAT) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricAMATTSM
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.62%1.70%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)16.48%24.46%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both Applied Materials (AMAT) at 28.71 and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 24.33 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.

AMAT

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

28.71

Max
110.34
Q3
66.81
Median
37.02
AMAT
28.71
Q1
23.96
Min
8.12

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

24.33

Max
110.34
Q3
66.81
Median
37.02
TSM
24.33
Q1
23.96
Min
8.12
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Applied Materials (AMAT) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 0.39 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Applied Materials (AMAT) at 8.56 prices around its industry’s middle — TSM costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

AMAT

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

8.56

Max
21.42
Q3
12.27
AMAT
8.56
Median
5.76
Q1
2.73
Min
0.00

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.39

Max
21.42
Q3
12.27
Median
5.76
Q1
2.73
TSM
0.39
Min
0.00
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Applied Materials (AMAT) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Both look rich against book: Applied Materials (AMAT) at 10.30 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 71.65 prices even higher, above its industry range.

AMAT

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

10.30

Max
14.06
AMAT
10.30
Q3
7.44
Median
4.29
Q1
2.30
Min
0.20

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

71.65

TSM
71.65
Max
14.06
Q3
7.44
Median
4.29
Q1
2.30
Min
0.20
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Applied Materials (AMAT) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Applied Materials (AMAT) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricAMATTSM
P/E Ratio (TTM)28.7124.33
P/S Ratio (TTM)8.560.39
P/B Ratio (MRQ)10.3071.65
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)1.16%61.78%