New York, Jan 26, 2026, 12:29 EST — Regular session
- Shares of Applied Materials slipped roughly 0.6%, hitting $320.56 by midday.
- Semiconductor ETFs saw little movement, even as certain chip-equipment stocks climbed.
- ASML reports on Jan. 28, with Applied’s earnings due Feb. 12, drawing investor attention.
Applied Materials (AMAT.O) shares slipped Monday, diverging from modest upticks seen in other chip-equipment stocks as investors braced for a busy earnings week in the sector.
This matters since chip-equipment stocks tend to react sharply to changes in risk appetite. This week, there are key updates expected on spending plans from major tech firms and suppliers. Traders also tracked policy risk headlines that rattled broader markets. 1
ASML (ASML.O), a key player in advanced chipmaking equipment, is set to release its quarterly results on Jan. 28. This report frequently shifts forecasts for wafer fab equipment — the essential tools behind chip production. 2
Applied slipped $1.82 to $320.56. Lam Research climbed roughly 3.0%, and KLA added about 2.4%. Shares of ASML in the U.S. were higher by around 1.6%.
The iShares Semiconductor ETF slipped roughly 0.3%, while the VanEck Semiconductor ETF barely moved, suggesting the moves were driven by individual stocks rather than a sector-wide selloff.
Applied, a key player in deposition and etch systems for both advanced and mature chip manufacturing, will release its fiscal first-quarter results on Feb. 12, the company announced in a recent statement. 3
Investors will focus on any updates about memory and foundry demand, watching closely for signs that customers are either accelerating or delaying equipment deliveries after the sector’s strong rally earlier this year.
China exposure remains a major unknown. U.S. export controls have pushed chip-equipment makers to rethink their product lines and regional outlooks. Any further restrictions could dent orders, even if AI-driven demand holds steady in other markets. 4
Applied has shifted alongside the sector’s debate on the sustainability of the upcoming spending upcycle, as chipmakers juggle hefty investments in leading-edge tech with more guarded spending on older-node capacity.
Traders are set to focus on ASML’s earnings on Jan. 28, looking for clues about order momentum heading into 2026. Attention will then turn swiftly to Applied’s report on Feb. 12 for insights into customer spending patterns and regional demand. 2
