The largest US manufacturer of chipmaking equipment, Applied Materials, has issued a
bullish forecast for the current quarter, suggesting that an industry downturn may be
ending. Sales for the company’s fiscal fourth quarter are anticipated to be about $6.51
billion, as opposed to the $5.88 billion average analyst expectation. The shift towards
artificial intelligence computing and the rise of internet-connected devices are helping
bolster results, according to CEO Gary Dickerson.
Following the results’ announcement, shares of Applied Materials increased by around 2%.
According to experts, the sector will overcome immediate challenges and accelerate to $1
trillion in total sales by the end of the decade. With more and more chips being used in
automobiles, machinery, and items for the Internet of Things, the usage of semiconductors
has expanded significantly outside the computer sector. Analysts predict that Applied
Materials will resume sales growth in the second half of next year as the industry’s
recovery draws near. Investors frequently choose semiconductor-related stocks because
they believe they will gain from the explosion in artificial intelligence systems.