New York, Jan 22, 2026, 13:02 (EST) — Regular session
- Applied Materials shares slipped roughly 1% by midday, retreating from an initial jump past $332
- Company scheduled fiscal first-quarter results and an investor call for Feb. 12
- Chip-equipment stocks showed mixed results: Lam Research slid, but ASML managed a slight gain
Applied Materials shares slipped roughly 0.9% to $322.24 on Thursday, following an intraday peak of $332.70. Traders pushed the stock higher before pulling back, with the day’s low hitting $320.71.
The move is significant as the stock has been hovering near the upper end of its recent range. With the next earnings report approaching, investors are beginning to adjust their positions. Chip-equipment stocks often react sharply when traders anticipate shifts in chipmakers’ capital expenditure plans.
Applied draws attention as a barometer for demand in chip manufacturing and packaging tools. Traders focus not only on the headline profit numbers but also on any changes in the order trends.
The company plans to host its fiscal first-quarter 2026 earnings call on Thursday, Feb. 12, starting at 4:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. PT). The event will be streamed live on its investor relations website, with a replay posted later that day. (GlobeNewswire)
Shares climbed 2.2% Wednesday, finishing at $325.24 amid a tech-driven rally on Wall Street. (MarketWatch)
Thursday saw mixed results among chip toolmakers. Lam Research dropped roughly 2.2%, KLA edged down 0.3%, and U.S.-listed ASML climbed around 1.7%.
Wall Street kept its risk-on stance, edging closer to record highs after President Donald Trump eased tariff threats against Europe, while new data underscored the economy’s resilience. “It’s the TACO trade follow on from yesterday,” said Dustin Thackeray, head of portfolio management at Crewe Advisors, referring to the bet that tariff fears are fading. (Reuters)
Not all signals in the chip supply chain are clear. Taiwan’s notebook manufacturer Compal issued a warning Thursday, saying soaring memory prices might pressure the PC sector through 2027. The company described the situation as “a true super cycle” in memory chips, driven by AI data centers squeezing supply. (Reuters)
For Applied, the coming weeks hinge on whether the data-center buildout continues to drive spending on cutting-edge logic, memory, and advanced packaging — or if softness in other areas cancels that out. Investors are also watching how fast orders turn into shipments, a key stress test when supply chains shift.
Still, the stock’s rise sets it up for a fall if earnings fall short or clients hint at delays. The sector remains on edge over stricter U.S. export rules that could curb shipments to China, a key market for chip equipment. (Reuters)
Applied Materials is set to report earnings and take investor questions at 4:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 12, marking the next key catalyst.
