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AMAT vs UCTT
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Applied Materials (AMAT) vs. Ultra Clean Holdings (UCTT) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both AMAT and UCTT operate in the semiconductor equipment sector and have benefited from AI-driven demand, with strong year-to-date gains through mid-2026 followed by recent pullbacks.
- AMAT maintains a significantly larger scale, with a market capitalization exceeding $362 billion compared to UCTT’s approximately $3.35 billion, reflecting greater revenue and earnings stability.
- Recent market activity shows both stocks declining from June 2026 peaks, with AMAT trading near $456 and UCTT near $74 as of September 11, 2026, amid broader sector corrections.
- UCTT reported robust Q2 2026 revenue growth of 24% year-over-year to $644.9 million, supported by AI-related complexity, though it remains more exposed to customer concentration risks.
- AMAT demonstrates stronger profitability metrics and analyst targets, while UCTT offers higher relative volatility and potential upside in a recovering environment.
- Sector exposure to semiconductor capital equipment links their performance, with AMAT positioned as a broader leader and UCTT as a specialized subsystems provider.
Introduction
This comparison examines AMAT and UCTT within the semiconductor equipment industry, where both companies supply critical tools and components amid ongoing AI infrastructure expansion. The analysis focuses on recent market activity, business models, and relative positioning to assist institutional investors, active traders, and portfolio managers evaluating sector exposure. Readers seeking insights into large-cap stability versus small-cap growth opportunities in a high-volatility environment will find the review relevant for assessing trade-offs in momentum and risk profiles.
AMAT Overview and Recent Performance
Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) develops equipment, services, and software for semiconductor, display, and related industries, serving as a leading supplier of deposition, etch, and inspection tools. In recent weeks, the stock has traded near $456 following a substantial correction from its June 2026 peak above $739, with one-month declines around 15% amid broader market rotation. Year-to-date performance remains strongly positive, supported by elevated AI-related order visibility and upward revisions to forward earnings estimates. Sentiment has been influenced by robust demand for advanced logic and memory production tools, though recent activity reflects profit-taking after an exceptional first-half rally.
UCTT Overview and Recent Performance
Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc. (UCTT) supplies critical subsystems, components, and parts for semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers. Recent market activity shows the stock near $74 after retreating from June 2026 highs above $142, with one-month declines exceeding 15% and three-month drops near 35%. Year-to-date gains surpass 190%, driven by AI-induced complexity in chip manufacturing. Q2 2026 results highlighted 24% year-over-year revenue growth to $644.9 million, with management citing capacity expansions and customer diversification. Performance has been shaped by strong end-market demand tempered by inventory dynamics and customer concentration considerations.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
AMAT operates as a comprehensive equipment provider with diversified revenue streams and substantial scale, while UCTT focuses on specialized subsystems, resulting in higher customer concentration and greater earnings volatility. Growth drivers for both center on AI semiconductor demand, yet AMAT benefits from broader exposure to logic and memory fabrication cycles. Recent momentum shows parallel corrections, though AMAT exhibits lower relative drawdowns and stronger profitability. Risk factors include macroeconomic sensitivity for both, with UCTT facing additional margin pressure from its smaller operational footprint. Market sentiment favors AMAT for defensive positioning within the sector, whereas UCTT may appeal to those seeking amplified upside in a sustained recovery.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including trend consistency, earnings stability, and relative market positioning, Tickeron’s AI models currently assign a higher probabilistic preference to AMAT over UCTT. The larger company’s scale, diversified customer base, and more consistent forward visibility in AI-related orders contribute to this assessment, though both remain subject to sector cyclicality.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
Disclaimers and LimitationsTo compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is AMAT is a Buy and UCTT is a Buy.
AMAT | UCTT | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 50 | 50 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 69 Overvalued | 52 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 42 | 73 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 25 | 92 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 38 | 38 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 9 | 100 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
UCTT's Valuation (52) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as AMAT (69). This means that UCTT’s stock grew similarly to AMAT’s over the last 12 months.
AMAT's Profit vs Risk Rating (42) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as UCTT (73). This means that AMAT’s stock grew similarly to UCTT’s over the last 12 months.
AMAT's SMR Rating (25) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is significantly better than the same rating for UCTT (92). This means that AMAT’s stock grew significantly faster than UCTT’s over the last 12 months.
AMAT's Price Growth Rating (38) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as UCTT (38). This means that AMAT’s stock grew similarly to UCTT’s over the last 12 months.
AMAT's P/E Growth Rating (9) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is significantly better than the same rating for UCTT (100). This means that AMAT’s stock grew significantly faster than UCTT’s over the last 12 months.
| AMAT | UCTT | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 89% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 66% | 3 days ago 76% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 70% | 3 days ago 78% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 80% | 3 days ago 83% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 77% | 3 days ago 80% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 79% | 3 days ago 82% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 79% | 5 days ago 75% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 12 days ago 65% | 13 days ago 73% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | N/A | 7 days ago 76% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 72% | 3 days ago 80% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
AMAT’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green while UCTT’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- AMAT’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- UCTT’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
AMAT’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while UCTT’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AMAT’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 3 bearish.
- UCTT’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
AMAT (@Electronic Production Equipment) experienced а +9.09% price change this week, while UCTT (@Electronic Production Equipment) price change was +9.98% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Production Equipment industry was +5.21%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +1.39%, and the average quarterly price growth was +28.33%.
Reported Earning Dates
AMAT is expected to report earnings on Nov 12, 2026.
UCTT is expected to report earnings on Oct 28, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronic Production Equipment (+5.21% weekly)The electronic production equipment industry makes equipment used to produce semiconductors. Such equipment includes wafer fabrication, plasma etching and photo-resist processing equipment. The industry also makes chemical vapor deposition processing systems and photomasks, which are high-purity quartz plates that contain patterns to define integrated circuits layouts. Applied Materials, Inc., Lam Research Corporation, and KLA-Tencor Corporation are examples of electronic production equipment manufacturing companies.
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AMAT and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, AMAT has been closely correlated with LRCX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 91% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if AMAT jumps, then LRCX could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To AMAT | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMAT | 100% | +2.27% | ||
| LRCX - AMAT | 91% Closely correlated | +2.62% | ||
| KLAC - AMAT | 87% Closely correlated | +0.43% | ||
| ONTO - AMAT | 83% Closely correlated | +2.83% | ||
| NVMI - AMAT | 82% Closely correlated | +0.39% | ||
| ASML - AMAT | 82% Closely correlated | +1.24% | ||
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UCTT and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, UCTT has been closely correlated with ICHR. These tickers have moved in lockstep 81% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if UCTT jumps, then ICHR could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To UCTT | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCTT | 100% | +1.53% | ||
| ICHR - UCTT | 81% Closely correlated | +2.60% | ||
| ONTO - UCTT | 79% Closely correlated | +2.83% | ||
| LRCX - UCTT | 78% Closely correlated | +2.62% | ||
| COHU - UCTT | 78% Closely correlated | +5.18% | ||
| AMAT - UCTT | 77% Closely correlated | +2.27% | ||
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