Korea Investment 13F: Cuts Applied Materials (AMAT) Stake by $45M

Korea Investment recently trimmed its stake in Applied Materials, Inc. (NasdaqGS: AMAT) by 63,644 shares. This reduction, reported in a Form 13F filing with the SEC, reflects a 9.3% decrease in holdings, leaving the fund with 620,101 shares valued at approximately $342.6 million as of the end of the reporting period.

What Changed in Korea Investment's Applied Materials Position

Korea Investment reduced its holdings in Applied Materials from 683,745 shares to 620,101 shares, a cut of 63,644 shares or about 9.3%. This adjustment shows a strategic decision to trim its investment in the semiconductor equipment provider, with the remaining shares valued at $342.6 million.

Other Institutional Activity in Applied Materials

Several other major institutional investors also adjusted their positions in Applied Materials. BlackRock, Inc. increased its holdings by 3,715,744 shares, ending with 78,974,833 shares valued at approximately $26.99 billion. Vanguard Capital Management LLC maintained its position with 51,577,799 shares worth around $17.63 billion. State Street Corp reduced its stake by 423,673 shares, now holding 37,506,950 shares valued at $12.82 billion. Meanwhile, Capital Research Global Investors cut its position by 3,251,625 shares, leaving it with 29,455,424 shares worth about $10.07 billion. Geode Capital Management, LLC increased its holdings by 3,313,100 shares, resulting in 21,921,798 shares valued at $7.48 billion.

Applied Materials, Inc. Stock Up 62.6%

Shares of Applied Materials are trading near $552.5. The company has a market capitalization of approximately $450.4 billion and a P/E ratio of 53.46. Its forward P/E stands at 34.89, with a beta of 1.67. The stock's 52-week range is between $154.47 and $569.95, with a 50-day moving average of $427.21 and a 200-day moving average of $309.24. Applied Materials maintains a current ratio of 2.51 and a quick ratio of 1.62, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 30.40.

Recent Earnings

In its most recent earnings report, Applied Materials posted revenue of $29.02 billion, reflecting a growth of 11.4%. The company reported an EPS of $10.61, with a net margin of 29.31% and a return on equity of 39.69%. The next earnings report is expected on August 13, 2026.

Dividend

Applied Materials offers an annual dividend rate of $2.12 per share, yielding 0.37%. The dividend payout ratio is 17.31%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Applied Materials, Inc.

Recent insider activity at Applied Materials includes several sales. Raja Prabu, President of the Semiconductor Products Group, sold 50,000 shares on June 4, 2026, at an average price of $505.28. On June 3, 2026, SVP and CFO Hill Brice sold 2,500 shares at $498.86. Judy Bruner sold 1,128 shares on May 26, 2026, at $450. Adam Sanders, Corporate Controller & CAO, sold shares on multiple occasions, including 268 shares on May 22, 2026, at $434.22.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Analysts remain optimistic about Applied Materials, with Barclays maintaining a 'buy' rating and a price target of $590 on June 11, 2026. UBS also maintained its 'buy' rating, setting a target of $570 on June 10, 2026. Cantor Fitzgerald sees the stock reaching $650, while Mizuho set a target of $540 on May 27, 2026. The consensus among 36 analysts is a 'strong buy', with a mean target price of $517.28.

About Applied Materials

Applied Materials, Inc., based in Santa Clara, California, is a leading provider of materials engineering solutions used in semiconductor manufacturing. The company operates through two segments: Semiconductor Systems and Applied Global Services. It offers a broad range of equipment, services, and software used for semiconductor fabrication. Applied Materials serves customers worldwide, including manufacturers of semiconductor wafers and chips.

Bottom Line

Korea Investment's decision to trim its stake in Applied Materials reflects a strategic portfolio adjustment. Investors often track such institutional moves for insights into market sentiment. However, it's important to remember that 13F filings are historical and may not represent current positions. Applied Materials remains a significant player in the semiconductor industry, with analysts maintaining positive outlooks.