Applied Materials (AMAT) vs Micron Technology (MU)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Micron Technology (MU) has outperformed Applied Materials (AMAT) over the past year, gaining 427.0% versus a gain of 146.1%. Over five years, MU leads with a +1430.5% price change compared with +295.7% for AMAT. Micron Technology is the larger company by market cap ($1.17 trillion vs $404.39 billion), about 2.9 times the size.
On valuation, Micron Technology trades at a lower forward P/E (5.0x vs 27.6x for Applied Materials). Applied Materials offers the higher dividend yield (0.39% vs 0.05%). Applied Materials converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 24.7% versus 22.8%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AMAT | MU |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $509.57 | $1,035.84 |
| Market cap | $404.39B | $1.17T |
| 1-day change | -2.13% | -4.79% |
| YTD return | +102.60% | +262.93% |
| 1-year return | +146.10% | +427.04% |
| 5-year return | +295.66% | +1430.50% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 43.97 | 13.94 |
| Forward P/E | 27.58 | 5.02 |
| EPS (TTM) | $11.59 | $74.33 |
| Dividend yield | 0.39% | 0.05% |
| Annual dividend | $1.98 | $0.565 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $28.37B | $37.38B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +4.39% | +48.85% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $7.00B | $8.54B |
| Gross margin | 48.67% | 39.79% |
| Operating margin | 29.22% | 26.14% |
| Net margin | 24.67% | 22.84% |
| 52-week high | $739.67 | $1,255.00 |
| 52-week low | $203.40 | $179.61 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -31.11% | -17.46% |
| Analyst consensus | strong_buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +25.39% | +48.24% |
| Average volume | 7.05M | 32.84M |
| Shares outstanding | 793.60M | 1.13B |
| Employees | 38,900 | — |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Semiconductors |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Micron Technology is about 2.9 times larger than Applied Materials by market value ($1.17T vs $404.39B).
- MU has outperformed AMAT by 280.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Applied Materials trades at a higher earnings multiple (44.0x vs 13.9x trailing P/E).
- Micron Technology grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+48.85% vs +4.39%).
About Applied Materials
AMAT stock →Applied Materials, Inc. provides materials engineering solutions, equipment, services, and software to the semiconductor and related industries in the United States, China, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Southeast Asia, Europe, and internationally.
Technology · Semiconductors · 38,900 employees
About Micron Technology
MU stock →Micron Technology, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and sells memory and storage products in the United States, Taiwan, Japan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Europe, and internationally.
Technology · Semiconductors
AMAT vs MU FAQ
Which is bigger, Applied Materials or Micron Technology?
Micron Technology (MU) is larger, with a market capitalization of $1.17T compared with $404.39B for Applied Materials (AMAT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AMAT or MU?
MU returned +427.04% over the past 12 months, compared with +146.10% for AMAT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AMAT or MU?
MU has the lower trailing P/E at 13.9, versus 44.0 for AMAT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Applied Materials or Micron Technology?
Applied Materials has the higher yield at 0.39%, compared with 0.05% for Micron Technology.
Are Applied Materials and Micron Technology in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Semiconductors industry within the Technology sector.