WallStSmart

Applied Materials Inc (AMAT)vsMicrosoft Corporation (MSFT)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Microsoft Corporation generates 976% more annual revenue ($331.84B vs $30.84B). MSFT leads profitability with a 40.3% profit margin vs 30.0%. AMAT appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.90. AMAT earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 78/100 (B+).

AMAT

Strong Buy

78

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 7.3Profit: 10.0Value: 5.7Quality: 8.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.98

MSFT

Strong Buy

72

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.7Profit: 9.5Value: 5.0Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.68

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

AMAT6 strengths · Avg: 9.8/10
Market CapQuality
$362.27B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
36.2%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 36 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
30.0%10/10

Keeps 30 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
33.7%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 33.7%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.9810/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Debt/EquityHealth
0.299/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

MSFT6 strengths · Avg: 9.8/10
Market CapQuality
$3.68T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
30.2%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 30 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
40.3%10/10

Keeps 40 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
45.1%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 45.1%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$19.64B10/10

Generating 19.6B in free cash flow

Debt/EquityHealth
0.299/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Areas to Watch

AMAT2 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
39.4x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
14.1x4/10

Trading at 14.1x book value

MSFT3 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.604/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
27.4x4/10

Moderate valuation

Price/BookValuation
8.3x4/10

Trading at 8.3x book value

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : AMAT

The strongest argument for AMAT centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 30.0% and operating margin at 33.7%. Revenue growth of 24.8% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : MSFT

The strongest argument for MSFT centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 40.3% and operating margin at 45.1%. Revenue growth of 17.7% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : AMAT

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

Bear Case : MSFT

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

Key Dynamics to Monitor

AMAT carries more volatility with a beta of 1.60 — expect wider price swings.

AMAT is growing revenue faster at 24.8% — sustainability is the question.

MSFT generates stronger free cash flow (19.6B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

AMAT scores higher overall (78/100 vs 72/100), backed by strong 30.0% margins and 24.8% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong 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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Microsoft Corporation

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company which produces computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services. Its best known software products are the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, the Microsoft Office suite, and the Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers. Its flagship hardware products are the Xbox video game consoles and the Microsoft Surface lineup of touchscreen personal computers. Microsoft ranked No. 21 in the 2020 Fortune 500 rankings of the largest United States corporations by total revenue; it was the world's largest software maker by revenue as of 2016. It is considered one of the Big Five companies in the U.S. information technology industry, along with Google, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook.

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