Vaughan Nelson Investment Management, L.P. Adds $16M in Applied Materials, Inc. ($AMAT)

Vaughan Nelson Investment Management has significantly increased its stake in Applied Materials, Inc. (NasdaqGS: AMAT). In its latest 13F filing with the SEC, the firm reported adding 27,735 shares, boosting its position by 15.96% to a total of 201,505 shares. This stake is valued at approximately $111.3 million as of the filing.

What Changed in Vaughan Nelson's Applied Materials Position

Vaughan Nelson's latest move reflects a notable increase in its investment in Applied Materials. The firm previously held 173,770 shares and has now expanded its holdings to 201,505 shares, an increase of 27,735 shares, or 15.96%. This adjustment indicates a strengthened confidence in the company's prospects.

Other Institutional Activity in Applied Materials

Other major institutional investors have also been active in Applied Materials. BlackRock, Inc. increased its holdings by 3,715,744 shares, bringing its total to 78,974,833 shares valued at about $26.99 billion. Meanwhile, State Street Corp reduced its position by 423,673 shares, now holding 37,506,950 shares worth $12.82 billion. Geode Capital Management, LLC added 3,313,100 shares, ending with 21,921,798 shares valued at $7.48 billion. In contrast, Capital Research Global Investors trimmed its stake by 3,251,625 shares, leaving it with 29,455,424 shares valued at $10.07 billion.

Applied Materials Stock Snapshot

Shares of Applied Materials (NasdaqGS: AMAT) are currently trading near $552.50. The company boasts a market capitalization of $450.37 billion and a P/E ratio of 53.46. Its forward P/E stands at 34.89, with a beta of 1.672, indicating some volatility compared to the market. The stock's 52-week range is between $154.47 and $569.95, with a 50-day moving average of $427.21 and a 200-day moving average of $309.24.

Recent Earnings

Applied Materials reported revenue of $29.02 billion, reflecting a growth rate of 11.4%. The company achieved a net margin of 29.31% and a return on equity of 39.69%. Earnings per share were $10.61. The next earnings report is scheduled for August 13, 2026.

Dividend

Applied Materials offers a dividend rate of $2.12 per share, yielding 0.37%. The company's dividend payout ratio is 17.31%, indicating a conservative approach to dividend distribution.

Insider Buying and Selling at Applied Materials, Inc.

Several insiders at Applied Materials have recently sold shares. On June 4, 2026, Raja Prabu, President of the Semiconductor Products Group, sold 50,000 shares at an average price of $505.28. On June 3, 2026, CFO Hill Brice sold 2,500 shares at $498.86. Other notable sales include Judy Bruner's sale of 1,128 shares at $450 on May 26, 2026, and Adam Sanders, the Corporate Controller & CAO, selling 268 shares at $434.22 on May 22, 2026.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Recent analyst activity includes Barclays maintaining a 'buy' rating with a price target of $590 on June 11, 2026. UBS also maintained its 'buy' rating with a target of $570 on June 10, 2026. Cantor Fitzgerald set a high target of $650, while Mizuho, Argus Research, and Citigroup maintained 'buy' ratings with targets of $540, $500, and $550, respectively. The consensus among 36 analysts is a 'strong buy', with a mean target price of $517.28.

About Applied Materials

Applied Materials, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is a leading provider of materials engineering solutions. The company serves the semiconductor industry, offering equipment, services, and software. Its operations are divided into Semiconductor Systems and Applied Global Services segments. Led by CEO Gary E. Dickerson, Applied Materials employs approximately 36,400 people worldwide.

Bottom Line

Vaughan Nelson's increased investment in Applied Materials suggests confidence in the company's growth prospects. As a major player in the semiconductor industry, Applied Materials' performance is closely watched by investors. It's important to remember that 13F filings are historical and may not reflect the firm's current position. Investors should consider these filings as part of a broader research strategy.