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

Updated on July 7, 2025

Here’s a clear look at AMAT and WDC, 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 WDC’s 23.05 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.

With betas of 1.66 for AMAT and 1.54 for WDC, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.

Symbol	AMAT	WDC
Company Name	Applied Materials, Inc.	Western Digital Corporation
Country	US	US
Sector	Technology	Technology
Industry	Semiconductors	Computer Hardware
CEO	Gary E. Dickerson	Tiang Yew Tan
Price	191.05 USD	66.08 USD
Market Cap	153.32 billion USD	23.05 billion USD
Beta	1.66	1.54
Exchange	NASDAQ	NASDAQ
IPO Date	March 17, 1980	October 31, 1978
ADR	No	No

Historical Performance

This chart compares the performance of AMAT and WDC 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. WDC: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past one year.

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.

WDC

16.28%

Computer Hardware Industry

Max: 123.03%
Q3: 15.78%
Median: -13.44%
Q1: -119.16%
Min: -227.95%

In the upper quartile for the Computer Hardware industry, WDC’s Return on Equity of 16.28% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.

AMAT vs. WDC: A comparison of their ROE against their respective Semiconductors and Computer Hardware industry benchmarks.

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.

WDC

23.19%

Computer Hardware Industry

Max: 30.37%
Q3: 20.44%
Median: 7.03%
Q1: -12.47%
Min: -31.70%

In the upper quartile for the Computer Hardware industry, WDC’s Return on Invested Capital of 23.19% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.

AMAT vs. WDC: A comparison of their ROIC against their respective Semiconductors and Computer Hardware industry benchmarks.

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.

WDC

11.34%

Computer Hardware Industry

Max: 40.72%
Q3: 10.87%
Median: 4.33%
Q1: -378.64%
Min: -753.20%

A Net Profit Margin of 11.34% places WDC in the upper quartile for the Computer Hardware industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.

AMAT vs. WDC: A comparison of their Net Profit Margin against their respective Semiconductors and Computer Hardware industry benchmarks.

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.

WDC

17.80%

Computer Hardware Industry

Max: 42.27%
Q3: 13.53%
Median: 4.56%
Q1: -295.01%
Min: -592.84%

An Operating Profit Margin of 17.80% places WDC in the upper quartile for the Computer Hardware industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.

AMAT vs. WDC: A comparison of their Operating Margin against their respective Semiconductors and Computer Hardware industry benchmarks.

Profitability at a Glance

Symbol	AMAT	WDC
Return on Equity (TTM)	35.84%	16.28%
Return on Assets (TTM)	20.09%	10.00%
Return on Invested Capital (TTM)	25.68%	23.19%
Net Profit Margin (TTM)	24.06%	11.34%
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)	29.66%	17.80%
Gross Profit Margin (TTM)	48.14%	36.93%

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.

WDC

1.56

Computer Hardware Industry

Max: 20.73
Q3: 11.54
Median: 2.69
Q1: 1.40
Min: 0.73

WDC’s Current Ratio of 1.56 aligns with the median group of the Computer Hardware industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.

AMAT vs. WDC: A comparison of their Current Ratio against their respective Semiconductors and Computer Hardware industry benchmarks.

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.

WDC

1.36

Computer Hardware Industry

Max: 1.36
Q3: 0.67
Median: 0.04
Q1: 0.03
Min: 0.00

WDC’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Computer Hardware industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.36. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.

AMAT vs. WDC: A comparison of their D/E Ratio against their respective Semiconductors and Computer Hardware industry benchmarks.

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.

WDC

8.65

Computer Hardware Industry

Max: 32.50
Q3: 21.85
Median: 4.98
Q1: -7.71
Min: -34.24

WDC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 8.65 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Computer Hardware industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.

AMAT vs. WDC: A comparison of their Interest Coverage against their respective Semiconductors and Computer Hardware industry benchmarks.

Financial Strength at a Glance

Symbol	AMAT	WDC
Current Ratio (TTM)	2.46	1.56
Quick Ratio (TTM)	1.76	1.31
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM)	0.33	1.36
Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM)	0.19	0.45
Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM)	0.01	1.32
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)	31.92	8.65

Growth

The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AMAT and WDC. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.

Revenue Growth

AMAT vs. WDC: A comparison of their annual year-over-year Revenue Growth.

Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth

AMAT vs. WDC: A comparison of their annual year-over-year Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth.

Free Cash Flow Growth

AMAT vs. WDC: A comparison of their annual year-over-year 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.

WDC

0.15%

Computer Hardware Industry

Max: 9.24%
Q3: 1.58%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

WDC’s Dividend Yield of 0.15% is consistent with its peers in the Computer Hardware industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.

AMAT vs. WDC: A comparison of their Dividend Yield against their respective Semiconductors and Computer Hardware industry benchmarks.

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.

WDC

0.00%

Computer Hardware Industry

Max: 193.79%
Q3: 30.72%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

WDC 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. WDC: A comparison of their Payout Ratio against their respective Semiconductors and Computer Hardware industry benchmarks.

Dividend at a Glance

Symbol	AMAT	WDC
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.87%	0.15%
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.

WDC

13.97

Computer Hardware Industry

Max: 24.60
Q3: 24.01
Median: 20.31
Q1: 18.24
Min: 13.38

In the lower quartile for the Computer Hardware industry, WDC’s P/E Ratio of 13.97 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.

AMAT vs. WDC: A comparison of their P/E Ratio against their respective Semiconductors and Computer Hardware industry benchmarks.

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.

WDC

25.87

Computer Hardware Industry

Max: 9.77
Q3: 5.18
Median: 1.77
Q1: 1.17
Min: 0.02

The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Computer Hardware industry.

AMAT vs. WDC: A comparison of their Forward PEG Ratio against their respective Semiconductors and Computer Hardware industry benchmarks.

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.

WDC

1.60

Computer Hardware Industry

Max: 57.61
Q3: 47.40
Median: 3.37
Q1: 1.56
Min: 0.43

WDC’s P/S Ratio of 1.60 aligns with the market consensus for the Computer Hardware industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.

AMAT vs. WDC: A comparison of their P/S Ratio against their respective Semiconductors and Computer Hardware industry benchmarks.

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.

WDC

4.23

Computer Hardware Industry

Max: 21.21
Q3: 14.71
Median: 9.28
Q1: 3.74
Min: 0.43

WDC’s P/B Ratio of 4.23 is within the conventional range for the Computer Hardware 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.

AMAT vs. WDC: A comparison of their P/B Ratio against their respective Semiconductors and Computer Hardware industry benchmarks.

Valuation at a Glance

Symbol	AMAT	WDC
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM)	22.93	13.97
Forward PEG Ratio (TTM)	3.41	25.87
Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM)	5.46	1.60
Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM)	8.17	4.23
Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM)	25.83	27.00
EV-to-EBITDA (TTM)	17.57	9.21
EV-to-Sales (TTM)	5.46	1.86