WallStSmart

Applied Materials Inc (AMAT)vsTarget Corporation (TGT)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Target Corporation generates 271% more annual revenue ($104.78B vs $28.21B). AMAT leads profitability with a 27.8% profit margin vs 3.5%. AMAT appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.70. 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

TGT

Hold

46

out of 100

Grade: D+

Growth: 2.0Profit: 5.5Value: 4.7Quality: 5.3
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.48
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
TGTSignificantly Overvalued (-107.3%)

Margin of Safety

-107.3%

Fair Value

$55.28

Current Price

$116.37

$61.09 premium

UndervaluedFair: $55.28Overvalued

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%

TGT4 strengths · Avg: 8.5/10
Market CapQuality
$52.70B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Return on EquityProfitability
24.0%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 24 in profit

P/E RatioValuation
14.3x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Free Cash FlowQuality
$2.29B8/10

Generating 2.3B 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%

TGT4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Profit MarginProfitability
3.5%3/10

3.5% margin — thin

Operating MarginProfitability
4.9%3/10

Operating margin of 4.9%

PEG RatioValuation
3.222/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-1.5%2/10

Revenue declined 1.5%

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 : TGT

The strongest argument for TGT centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, P/E Ratio.

Bear Case : AMAT

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

Bear Case : TGT

The primary concerns for TGT are Profit Margin, Operating Margin, PEG Ratio. Thin 3.5% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

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

TGT is growing revenue faster at -1.5% — sustainability is the question.

TGT generates stronger free cash flow (2.3B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

AMAT scores higher overall (64/100 vs 46/100), backed by strong 27.8% margins. Both earn "Buy" and "Hold" 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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Target Corporation

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · DISCOUNT STORES · USA

Target Corporation is an American retail corporation. Their retail formats include the discount store Target, the hypermarket SuperTarget, and small-format stores previously named CityTarget and TargetExpress before being consolidated under the Target branding.

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