New York, Jan 10, 2026, 16:08 EST — Market closed
Applied Materials Inc shares jumped 6.94% on Friday, closing at $301.18 and pushing the chip-equipment maker back above the $300 level heading into the new week. The rally put the stock near the top end of its recent trading range.
Chip stocks spearheaded a wider rally following a weaker U.S. jobs report that left hopes for rate cuts mostly unchanged, sending the S&P 500 to a record finish, according to Reuters. The Philadelphia semiconductor index climbed 2.7% to a new high, while Lam Research surged after Mizuho bumped up its price target. “Investors are getting granular and picking the winners and losers,” said Zachary Hill, head of portfolio management at Horizon Investments.
Applied Materials is watching the calendar closely. Inflation numbers can jolt Treasury yields, which in turn ripple through the valuations of high-growth tech stocks. The Labor Department will drop December’s consumer price index figures on Jan. 13 at 8:30 a.m. ET.
The stock dropped 3.61% the previous day, MarketWatch reported, making Thursday’s close of $281.64 a key level for short-term traders. According to Investing.com, AMAT traded between $286.50 and $302.78 in the latest session, with its 52-week range sitting at $123.74 to $302.78.
On Friday, AMAT’s shares fluctuated from $286.50 up to $302.78, with roughly 9.4 million shares changing hands, per StockAnalysis.com pricing data.
Applied Materials is set to release its earnings on Feb. 12, with the report due at 4 p.m. EST, according to Yahoo Finance’s calendar. Analysts are expecting earnings of $2.21 per share.
In November, Applied Materials forecasted revenue around $6.85 billion, with a $500 million margin either way, and non-GAAP earnings per share of $2.18, plus or minus 20 cents—this excludes certain items. Management noted that wafer fab equipment (WFE) spending, which covers chipmaking tools, is expected to pick up pace in 2026. CEO Gary Dickerson told analysts, “AI is the biggest focus for all of our customers.” The company also reported that China’s share of total systems and service revenue dropped to 28% in fiscal 2025. The Motley Fool
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co will release its full fourth-quarter earnings and update its guidance, including capital spending, on Thursday—a key near-term indicator for chip tool demand. On Friday, TSMC reported a 20.45% jump in quarterly revenue compared to last year, fueled by strong demand for AI-related chips.
Export controls continue to be the main wildcard for toolmakers linked to China. Applied has warned that stricter U.S. export regulations will hit spending in China, highlighting a shrinking accessible market, Reuters reported earlier.
Friday’s surge didn’t stand alone. According to MarketWatch data, Lam Research surged 8.66% that day, while Applied Materials added 6.94%. This highlights how closely equipment stocks are moving together as a group.
The Federal Reserve’s next meeting is set for Jan. 27-28, a key date for rate forecasts that often sway high-multiple tech stocks.
Traders will eye next week’s U.S. CPI on Jan. 13 and producer prices on Jan. 14 for any surprises that might shake yields before Monday’s open. Applied Materials faces its next major checkpoint with the Feb. 12 earnings report, where Zacks forecasts $2.21 per share.
