Applied Matls Inc Stock Price, News & Analysis

Applied Materials has joined the SEMI Semiconductor Climate Consortium (SCC) Governing Council to drive greenhouse gas emission reductions across the semiconductor industry. This initiative seeks collaboration, transparency, and ambitious decarbonization targets, aiming for net zero emissions by 2050. Key objectives include aligning on technology innovations and publicly reporting progress on emissions annually. Chris Librie, Senior Director of ESG at Applied Materials, emphasizes the company's commitment to decarbonization and collaboration with industry leaders like Intel and Google.

Applied Materials has been recognized in the 2023 Clean200 list by Corporate Knights and As You Sow, highlighting its commitment to sustainability. The Clean200 list tracks companies earning revenue from sustainable economy themes, including energy efficiency. Applied achieved its goal of 100% renewable electricity use in the U.S. in 2022 and aims for global adoption by 2030. The company emphasizes its role in transforming the economy through telecommunication technologies and sustainability efforts.

Applied Materials announced a 23.1% increase in its quarterly cash dividend, raising it from $0.26 to $0.32 per share, effective June 15, 2023. This marks the largest increase in five years. Additionally, the company has authorized a $10 billion share repurchase program, complementing the remaining $4.7 billion from a previous authorization. President and CEO Gary Dickerson highlighted this as a reflection of their strong outlook for the semiconductor market and commitment to returning value to shareholders. Historical trends show an 11% compound annual growth rate in dividends paid over the past decade.

Applied Materials is focusing on empowering girls in technology through its Generation Girl initiative. Since 2018, over 36,000 girls have benefitted, with significant participation from low-income and minority households. In 2022, Applied Materials employees volunteered over 200 hours, fostering interest in STEM subjects among young girls. The initiative's workshops prioritize overall well-being, supporting girls experiencing trauma and enhancing STEM engagement. Notably, 100% of girls in Manor Independent School District are now enrolled in advanced math, reflecting positive educational outcomes. This program aims to create diverse future leaders in tech.

Applied Materials has introduced the Centura Sculpta patterning system, a groundbreaking technology aimed at streamlining chip production. By reducing EUV double-patterning steps, this system can save approximately $250 million in capital costs and $50 in manufacturing costs per wafer. Additionally, it provides significant energy and water savings, with over 15 kWh and 15 liters saved per wafer respectively. This innovation addresses challenges such as process complexity and resource consumption, making it a critical tool for chipmakers striving to enhance efficiency and minimize environmental impact.

Applied Materials has launched the VeritySEM^® 10 CD-SEM^® Metrology System to enhance semiconductor manufacturing. This innovative system features an architecture that achieves 2X better resolution and a 30% faster scan rate than conventional CD-SEMs, addressing the challenges posed by thinner photoresists in EUV and High-NA EUV lithography. With strong commercial interest, over 30 units have been shipped to leading chipmakers, solidifying its role as a critical dimension metrology tool for advanced technologies like Gate-All-Around transistors and 3D NAND memories. This system represents a major advancement in semiconductor production.