AMAT vs. VRSN: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AMAT and VRSN, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AMAT’s market capitalization of 153.32 billion USD is substantially larger than VRSN’s 26.89 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
AMAT’s beta of 1.66 points to significantly higher volatility compared to VRSN (beta: 0.77), suggesting AMAT has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
| Symbol | AMAT | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Applied Materials, Inc. | VeriSign, Inc. |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Software - Infrastructure |
| CEO | Gary E. Dickerson | D. James Bidzos |
| Price | 191.05 USD | 286.32 USD |
| Market Cap | 153.32 billion USD | 26.89 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.66 | 0.77 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | March 17, 1980 | January 30, 1998 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AMAT and VRSN 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.
Profitability
Return on Equity
AMAT
35.84%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 41.84%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- -5.54%
- Min
- -30.12%
In the upper quartile for the Semiconductors 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.
VRSN
-50.93%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 80.61%
- Q3
- 29.97%
- Median
- 2.84%
- Q1
- -8.35%
- Min
- -56.26%
VRSN has a negative Return on Equity of -50.93%. This indicates the company is generating a loss for its shareholders, which can be a result of unprofitability or negative shareholder equity and is often a sign of financial distress.
Return on Invested Capital
AMAT
25.68%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 30.91%
- Q3
- 11.34%
- Median
- 4.08%
- Q1
- -2.17%
- Min
- -19.59%
In the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, AMAT’s Return on Invested Capital of 25.68% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
VRSN
495.47%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 39.31%
- Q3
- 11.97%
- Median
- 1.67%
- Q1
- -7.10%
- Min
- -34.29%
VRSN’s Return on Invested Capital of 495.47% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This demonstrates an outstanding ability to deploy capital efficiently and create significant value.
Net Profit Margin
AMAT
24.06%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 51.69%
- Q3
- 19.67%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- -5.44%
- Min
- -38.60%
A Net Profit Margin of 24.06% places AMAT in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
VRSN
50.20%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 46.46%
- Q3
- 14.65%
- Median
- 2.66%
- Q1
- -7.70%
- Min
- -35.45%
VRSN’s Net Profit Margin of 50.20% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin
AMAT
29.66%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 58.03%
- Q3
- 22.12%
- Median
- 8.40%
- Q1
- -3.73%
- Min
- -36.14%
An Operating Profit Margin of 29.66% places AMAT in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
VRSN
67.95%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.51%
- Q3
- 16.56%
- Median
- 4.48%
- Q1
- -6.43%
- Min
- -40.18%
VRSN’s Operating Profit Margin of 67.95% is exceptionally high, placing it well above the typical range for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This demonstrates outstanding efficiency in managing its core operations, which can be a result of strong pricing power or superior cost control.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | AMAT | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 35.84% | -50.93% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 20.09% | 54.63% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 25.68% | 495.47% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 24.06% | 50.20% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 29.66% | 67.95% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 48.14% | 87.83% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AMAT
2.46
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 9.10
- Q3
- 5.23
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 1.02
AMAT’s Current Ratio of 2.46 falls into the lower quartile for the Semiconductors industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
VRSN
0.56
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 3.80
- Q3
- 2.25
- Median
- 1.51
- Q1
- 1.10
- Min
- 0.23
VRSN’s Current Ratio of 0.56 falls into the lower quartile for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
AMAT
0.33
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 0.97
- Q3
- 0.46
- Median
- 0.21
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
AMAT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.33 is typical for the Semiconductors industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
VRSN
-1.28
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 2.56
- Q3
- 1.12
- Median
- 0.33
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
VRSN has a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of -1.28, which indicates negative shareholder equity where liabilities exceed assets. This is a critical sign of financial distress.
Interest Coverage Ratio
AMAT
31.92
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 36.25
- Q3
- 29.12
- Median
- 7.01
- Q1
- -1.22
- Min
- -18.18
AMAT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 31.92 is in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
VRSN
13.94
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 32.21
- Q3
- 5.24
- Median
- 0.95
- Q1
- -17.99
- Min
- -50.82
VRSN’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 13.94 is in the upper quartile for the Software - Infrastructure industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | AMAT | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 2.46 | 0.56 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.76 | 0.56 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.33 | -1.28 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.19 | 1.24 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | 1.07 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 31.92 | 13.94 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AMAT and VRSN. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
AMAT
0.87%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 6.48%
- Q3
- 0.93%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AMAT’s Dividend Yield of 0.87% is consistent with its peers in the Semiconductors industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
VRSN
0.27%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 4.07%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 0.27%, VRSN offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Software - Infrastructure industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
Dividend Payout Ratio
AMAT
18.53%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 204.29%
- Q3
- 31.85%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AMAT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 18.53% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
VRSN
0.00%
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 48.68%
- Q3
- 0.00%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
VRSN 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | AMAT | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.87% | 0.27% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 18.53% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AMAT
22.93
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 86.15
- Q3
- 47.38
- Median
- 27.87
- Q1
- 18.89
- Min
- 4.73
AMAT’s P/E Ratio of 22.93 is within the middle range for the Semiconductors industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
VRSN
34.25
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 107.77
- Q3
- 54.40
- Median
- 28.10
- Q1
- 18.03
- Min
- 5.32
VRSN’s P/E Ratio of 34.25 is within the middle range for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
AMAT
3.41
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 4.73
- Q3
- 2.80
- Median
- 1.11
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.01
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Semiconductors industry.
VRSN
-0.34
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 8.12
- Q3
- 3.94
- Median
- 2.13
- Q1
- 0.94
- Min
- 0.01
VRSN has a negative Forward PEG Ratio of -0.34. This typically results from negative earnings or forecasts of declining future earnings, making the ratio not meaningful for valuation.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
AMAT
5.46
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 21.96
- Q3
- 10.21
- Median
- 4.45
- Q1
- 2.32
- Min
- 0.48
AMAT’s P/S Ratio of 5.46 aligns with the market consensus for the Semiconductors industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
VRSN
17.07
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 18.25
- Q3
- 9.05
- Median
- 4.77
- Q1
- 2.30
- Min
- 0.11
VRSN’s P/S Ratio of 17.07 is in the upper echelon for the Software - Infrastructure industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio
AMAT
8.17
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 13.12
- Q3
- 6.49
- Median
- 3.31
- Q1
- 1.74
- Min
- 0.23
AMAT’s P/B Ratio of 8.17 is in the upper tier for the Semiconductors industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
VRSN
-19.29
Software - Infrastructure Industry
- Max
- 19.94
- Q3
- 10.91
- Median
- 6.33
- Q1
- 2.95
- Min
- 0.51
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Software - Infrastructure industry.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | AMAT | VRSN |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 22.93 | 34.25 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 3.41 | -0.34 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 5.46 | 17.07 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 8.17 | -19.29 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 25.83 | 29.66 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 17.57 | 24.67 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 5.46 | 17.84 |