BUZZ - Preview: Applied Materials shares fall; earnings to be announced after market close

November 12 - ** Shares of Applied Materials (AMAT.O) fell 3.2% on Thursday. The company will announce its quarterly earnings after the market closes. Investors are closely watching the latest developments in the chip manufacturing equipment supplier's increased stake in Besi and the demand for AI chips.

** According to data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), analysts expect the company’s quarterly revenue to grow by 51% to $10.3 billion, with adjusted earnings per share of $4.05, compared to $2.17 in the same period last year.

** The company has surpassed analyst expectations in each of the past eight earning periods.

** Nvidia NVDA.O CEO Jensen Huang announced his resignation on Thursday (link), triggering significant volatility in AI-related stocks and raising concerns about the future of the broader AI ecosystem.

** In late October, AMAT stated that it would increase its stake (link) in Dutch peer BE Semiconductor Industries (Besi) BESI.AS to about 20% in order to expand cooperation in next-generation AI chip hybrid bonding technology.

** According to LSEG data, analyst ratings for AMAT include 35 “strong buy” or “buy” ratings, and 4 “hold” ratings.

** AMAT’s share price has surged 49% so far this year, far outpacing the Nasdaq index’s 9% increase .IXIC.

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