Vaughan Nelson Investment Management, L.P. 13F: Adds $19M to AMAT Stake

Vaughan Nelson Investment Management, L.P. boosted its position in Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) on April 16, 2026, adding 27,735 shares. This increase raised their total shares to 201,505, valued at about $140.9 million. The information comes from the latest Form 13F filing with the SEC and reflects holdings as of March 31, 2026.

What Changed in Vaughan Nelson's Applied Materials Position

Vaughan Nelson added 27,735 shares to its stake in Applied Materials, marking a 15.96% increase from the previous total of 173,770 shares. The investment is based on a cost basis of $248.11 per share.

Other Institutional Activity in Applied Materials

Several other institutional investors have also adjusted their stakes in Applied Materials. Blackrock Inc. grew its holdings by 1,239,871 shares, totaling 80,212,518 shares worth about $33.2 billion. Vanguard Capital Management LLC added 268,217 shares to reach 51,848,358 shares valued at roughly $21.5 billion. State Street Corporation increased its stake with 731,418 additional shares, totaling 38,240,019 shares worth about $15.9 billion. Invesco Ltd. raised its holdings by 1,900,912 shares, now holding 28,265,844 shares valued at approximately $11.7 billion. Meanwhile, Capital Research Global Investors reduced its position by 7,296,037 shares, lowering its total to 22,159,097 shares worth about $9.2 billion.

Applied Materials, Inc. Stock Up 62.6%

Applied Materials shares are trading at around $699.39, which is significantly higher than its 52-week low of $196.20 and close to its 52-week high of $739.67. The stock has experienced notable growth, reflecting strong institutional support and a favorable outlook in the semiconductor equipment industry.

Recent Earnings

In its latest earnings report for the quarter ended July 31, 2026, Applied Materials reported revenue of approximately $30.8 billion, representing a 24.8% increase from the previous period. The company's earnings per share (EPS) were $11.60, contributing to a net margin of 30.05%. The next earnings report is scheduled for November 12, 2026.

Dividend

Applied Materials pays an annual dividend of $2.12 per share, which yields about 0.48%. The dividend payout ratio stands at approximately 16.48%, showing a commitment to returning value to shareholders.

Insider Buying and Selling at Applied Materials, Inc.

Recent insider transactions include Chief Executive Officer Gary E. Dickerson, who sold 78,321 shares on June 30, 2026, valued at approximately $55.6 million. Other insiders, like Chief Financial Officer Brice Hill and Director Judy Bruner, have also sold shares recently, indicating ongoing activity at the executive level. These transactions occurred under no planned selling arrangements and do not necessarily reflect negative sentiment regarding the company.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Analyst ratings for Applied Materials have been mixed recently. On October 16, 2026, Needham maintained a Buy rating but lowered its price target to $580 from $740. Evercore ISI Group also maintained an Outperform rating with a reduced target of $590, down from $700. RBC Capital reiterated its Outperform rating with a target of $600, while Morgan Stanley maintained an Equal-Weight rating and lowered its target to $563 from $642. UBS kept its Buy rating with a target of $695, an increase from $675.

About Applied Materials

Applied Materials, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, offers materials engineering solutions and equipment primarily for the semiconductor industry. The company plays a vital role in the technology sector, impacting various sectors that rely on semiconductor technology. The recent increase in investment by Vaughan Nelson reflects confidence in Applied Materials' growth potential.

Bottom Line

Investors will want to watch for Applied Materials' upcoming earnings report on November 12, 2026, and keep an eye on further institutional filings as they become available. The latest 13F filing from Vaughan Nelson indicates a firm belief in the company's strong market position, though the filing may not represent their current holdings.