Applied Materials has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 21.84% on an annualized basis, producing an average annual return of 35.2%. The company currently holds a market capitalization of $384.67 billion.

Investment Growth Analysis

If an investor had purchased $100 of Applied Materials stock 10 years ago, the investment would be worth $2,024.27 today. This valuation is based on a current share price of $484.63.

Performance Metrics

The following table outlines the key performance indicators for Applied Materials over the specified period:

The significant growth in investment value highlights the impact of compounded returns over a long-term horizon.

Applied Materials, Inc. today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.53 per share payable on the company's common stock. The dividend is payable on Sept. 10, 2026 to shareholders of record as of Aug. 20, 2026. This announcement underscores the company's commitment to returning capital to shareholders as part of its broader allocation strategy.

The cash dividend is a key component of Applied's capital allocation strategy. In March 2026, Applied announced a 15-percent increase in the quarterly dividend per share, from $0.46 to $0.53, which more than doubled the dividend per share from four years ago and marked nine consecutive years of dividend increases. With the increase announced in March 2026, Applied has grown its dividend per share at a compound annual growth rate of 18 percent over the past decade.

Capital Allocation and Shareholder Returns

Over the past 10 fiscal years, the company has distributed nearly 90 percent of free cash flow to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. In the second quarter of fiscal 2026, Applied distributed $765 million to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. The company had approximately $13.2 billion remaining in its share repurchase authorization at the end of the period.

Key Financial Metrics

The declaration of future dividends and the timing of share repurchases remain subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors, depending on the company's financial condition, results of operations, and market conditions.