Applied Materials, a leading force in the semiconductor equipment industry, has announced a forecast for second-quarter revenue and profit that surpasses market expectations. With a significant surge in demand for AI processors and a global memory chip shortage, the company anticipates robust sales of its chipmaking machinery. This optimistic outlook has seen its shares soar more than 9 per cent in after-hours trading, a sign of renewed confidence that has also positively influenced the stock prices of competitors like Lam Research and KLA, both of which saw increases exceeding 2 per cent.
Positive Revenue Forecast
The semiconductor giant is projecting second-quarter sales to reach approximately US$7.65 billion, with a margin of error of US$500 million. This figure stands in stark contrast to analysts’ estimates, which averaged around US$7.01 billion, as reported by LSEG. Additionally, Applied Materials has forecasted an adjusted profit of around US$2.64 per share, allowing for a variation of 20 cents. This is a notable increase from the expected figure of US$2.28 per share.
CEO Gary Dickerson highlighted the driving force behind these promising figures, attributing them to a significant increase in industry investments focused on AI computing. He noted, “The need for higher performance and more energy-efficient chips is driving high growth rates for leading-edge logic, high-bandwidth memory and advanced packaging.”
AI Infrastructure Demands
The rise in AI infrastructure development has had a profound impact on the global memory chip supply. High-bandwidth memory (HBM), a critical component used alongside high-end AI processors like those from Nvidia, has seen its demand skyrocket. As manufacturers concentrate on fulfilling the needs for HBM, prices have surged due to the constrained availability of these essential components.
Applied Materials recently revealed its first-quarter revenue, which reached US$7.01 billion, exceeding estimates of US$6.87 billion. In its chip segment, revenue from equipment used for dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chips witnessed a remarkable 34 per cent increase compared to 27 per cent in the same quarter the previous year.
Strong First-Quarter Performance
In the first quarter, the company reported a profit of US$2.38 per share, excluding certain items, surpassing analyst expectations of US$2.20 per share. This solid performance underscores the company’s resilience and adaptability in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, particularly as demand for chips continues to rise.
The forecasted growth for the upcoming quarter reflects not just optimism but also the broader trends influencing the semiconductor sector. The ongoing push towards AI and related technologies is reshaping the market, leading to unprecedented investments and innovations.
Why it Matters
The projections from Applied Materials serve as an indicator of the wider health of the semiconductor industry and its pivotal role in the advancing AI sector. As companies ramp up production to meet the soaring demand for advanced chips, the implications extend beyond just financial performance. The ongoing developments in chip technology are set to redefine various sectors, from consumer electronics to automotive industries, making this a critical moment for stakeholders across the board. As the demand for high-performance computing grows, the industry must navigate challenges related to supply and pricing, which will ultimately shape the technological landscape for years to come.
