WallStSmart

Applied Materials Inc (AMAT)vs3M Company (MMM)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Applied Materials Inc generates 13% more annual revenue ($28.21B vs $24.95B). AMAT leads profitability with a 27.8% profit margin vs 13.0%. MMM appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.43. AMAT earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 64/100 (C+).

AMAT

Buy

64

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 5.3Profit: 9.5Value: 9.3Quality: 8.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.98

MMM

Buy

54

out of 100

Grade: C-

Growth: 2.7Profit: 7.0Value: 7.3Quality: 5.5
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 2.82
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

AMATUndervalued (+19.1%)

Margin of Safety

+19.1%

Fair Value

$456.30

Current Price

$369.34

$86.96 discount

UndervaluedFair: $456.30Overvalued
MMMSignificantly Overvalued (-323.6%)

Margin of Safety

-323.6%

Fair Value

$40.80

Current Price

$148.05

$107.25 premium

UndervaluedFair: $40.80Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

AMAT6 strengths · Avg: 9.5/10
Market CapQuality
$293.11B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
38.9%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 39 in profit

EPS GrowthGrowth
75.2%10/10

Earnings expanding 75.2% YoY

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.9810/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Profit MarginProfitability
27.8%9/10

Keeps 28 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
29.9%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 29.9%

MMM3 strengths · Avg: 9.0/10
Return on EquityProfitability
75.5%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 76 in profit

Market CapQuality
$77.25B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.33B8/10

Generating 1.3B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

AMAT4 concerns · Avg: 3.5/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.704/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
37.9x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
13.5x4/10

Trading at 13.5x book value

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-2.1%2/10

Revenue declined 2.1%

MMM4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
Price/BookValuation
16.7x4/10

Trading at 16.7x book value

Revenue GrowthGrowth
2.0%4/10

2.0% revenue growth

EPS GrowthGrowth
-19.9%2/10

Earnings declined 19.9%

Debt/EquityHealth
2.751/10

Elevated debt levels

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : AMAT

The strongest argument for AMAT centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, EPS Growth. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.8% and operating margin at 29.9%.

Bull Case : MMM

The strongest argument for MMM centers on Return on Equity, Market Cap, Free Cash Flow. PEG of 1.43 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bear Case : AMAT

The primary concerns for AMAT are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book.

Bear Case : MMM

The primary concerns for MMM are Price/Book, Revenue Growth, EPS Growth. Debt-to-equity of 2.75 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

AMAT profiles as a declining stock while MMM is a value play — different risk/reward profiles.

AMAT carries more volatility with a beta of 1.63 — expect wider price swings.

MMM is growing revenue faster at 2.0% — sustainability is the question.

MMM generates stronger free cash flow (1.3B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

AMAT scores higher overall (64/100 vs 54/100), backed by strong 27.8% margins. Both earn "Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Applied Materials Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS · USA

Applied Materials, Inc. is an American corporation that supplies equipment, services and software for the manufacture of semiconductor (integrated circuit) chips for electronics, flat panel displays for computers, smartphones and televisions, and solar products. The company also supplies equipment to produce coatings for flexible electronics, packaging and other applications. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, in Silicon Valley.

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3M Company

INDUSTRIALS · CONGLOMERATES · USA

The 3M Company is an American multinational conglomerate corporation operating in the fields of industry, worker safety, US health care, and consumer goods. The company produces over 60,000 products under several brands, including adhesives, abrasives, laminates, passive fire protection, personal protective equipment, window films, paint protection films, dental and orthodontic products, electrical and electronic connecting and insulating materials, medical products, car-care products, electronic circuits, healthcare software and optical films. It is based in Maplewood, a suburb of Saint Paul, Minnesota.

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