Brevan Howard Capital Management 13F: Adds $11M to AMAT Stake

Brevan Howard Capital Management has significantly increased its stake in Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) by adding 16,279 shares. This boost brings its total holdings to 32,721 shares, valued at about $22.88 million as of May 15, 2026. The latest data comes from a Form 13F filing with the SEC, which reflects positions as of this reporting period.

The fund's increase represents a 99% rise in its holdings. Previously, Brevan Howard owned 16,442 shares, indicating strong confidence in Applied Materials' future. With shares trading at $699.39, the stock is nearing its 52-week high of $739.67, suggesting a favorable market outlook.

Other Institutional Activity in Applied Materials

BlackRock Inc. increased its holdings by 1,239,871 shares, resulting in a total of 80,212,518 shares valued at approximately $33.25 billion. Vanguard Capital Management LLC added 268,217 shares, bringing its total to 51,848,358 shares worth about $21.49 billion. State Street Corporation raised its stake by 731,418 shares to 38,240,019 shares valued at around $15.85 billion. Invesco Ltd. boosted its holdings by 1,900,912 shares for a total of 28,265,844 shares worth about $11.72 billion. Meanwhile, Capital Research Global Investors reduced its position by 7,296,037 shares, now holding 22,159,097 shares valued at about $9.19 billion.

Applied Materials, Inc. Stock Up 62.6%

Applied Materials has been performing well, with shares priced at $699.39 on Saturday. This price reflects a strong position, especially as it is close to the stock's 52-week high of $739.67. The company operates in the semiconductor equipment and materials sector, which has seen robust demand lately.

Recent Earnings

In its latest earnings report, Applied Materials announced revenue of approximately $30.84 billion, marking a revenue growth of 24.8%. The company reported an EPS of $11.60 and a net margin of 30.05%. The next earnings date is set for November 12, 2026.

Dividend

Applied Materials pays an annual dividend of $2.12 per share, yielding about 0.48% with a payout ratio of approximately 16.48%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Applied Materials, Inc.

Insider transactions have occurred, including Chief Executive Officer Gary E. Dickerson, who sold 78,321 shares on June 30, 2026, valued at about $55.55 million. Additionally, Chief Financial Officer Brice Hill sold 7,500 shares at an average price of $479.25 on August 25, 2026, totaling around $3.59 million. Other notable sales include Judy Bruner, a director, who sold 1,000 shares at $465 on September 8, 2026, valued at $465,000. These transactions indicate ongoing activity among executives.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Analysts have been active in adjusting their ratings for Applied Materials. On October 16, 2026, Needham maintained a Buy rating but reduced its price target to $580 from $740. Evercore ISI Group also maintained an Outperform rating with a target of $590, down from $700. Morgan Stanley kept an Equal-Weight rating, lowering its target to $563 from $642. Overall, the average target price from 35 analysts is around $640.89, reflecting a strong buy consensus.

About Applied Materials

Applied Materials, Inc. is a key player in offering materials engineering solutions and equipment for the semiconductor and related industries. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, the company serves a global market through its Semiconductor Systems and Applied Global Services segments. The recent boost in Brevan Howard's position underscores the interest in Applied's contributions to the semiconductor sector's growth.

Bottom Line

Looking ahead, investors will watch for Applied Materials' upcoming earnings report on November 12, 2026. The recent boost in institutional ownership reflects confidence in the company's performance, although the 13F filing indicates past holdings that may not represent current positions. As institutional investors continue to adjust their stakes, Applied Materials remains a focal point in the semiconductor industry.