AMAT slides over 3% as stock remains pinned below key moving averages despite strong earnings
Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) fell 3.29% as short- and medium-term technical pressure continues to drive selling, even as the company reported record fiscal Q3 2026 results. The drop is supported by downside signals, with the stock pinned below key moving averages and intraday momentum remaining negative.
Highlights
- Applied Materials reported record fiscal Q3 2026 revenue of $9.12 billion with earnings per share of $3.50 reflecting robust AI chip equipment demand.
- The company set a quarterly dividend of $0.53 per share, resulting in an annualized yield of $2.12 and an 18.28% payout ratio.
- Shares of Applied Materials are under sustained selling pressure below key moving averages, with technical indicators showing strong downward momentum and a projected 5-day trading range of $428.29 to $459.04.
Analyst optimism and dividend boost fail to reverse selling trend
Applied Materials reported a record fiscal Q3 2026, with revenue of $9.12 billion and earnings per share of $3.50, driven by strong demand for AI chip equipment. The company also announced a quarterly dividend of $0.53 per share, equivalent to an annualized dividend of $2.12 with a payout ratio of 18.28%. This was accompanied by upward revisions to earnings per share estimates by some analysts, though price action has remained under broader selling pressure.
Downside bias dominates as negative momentum and oversold signals align
Applied Materials is trading below its MA-20 at $508.28 and MA-50 at $547.96, but remains above its MA-200 at $402.75, signaling ongoing short- and medium-term downward pressure while preserving a longer-term bullish structure. The nearest resistance is set at $443.55, with short-term support at $428.29. Momentum signals remain negative, as both MACD and RSI forecast "Sell." The ADX is weak at 11.98, indicating a lack of trend strength. The RSI stands at 37.05, Stochastic RSI is at 0, CCI prints -133.63, and BBP measures -23.93, all confirming sellers dominate intraday momentum and conditions are oversold. The Awesome Oscillator is also negative, reinforcing the downward movement. The asset is trading at $443.33 after starting with a downside gap of about $7.59, or 1.66%. Price is near daily lows and intraday volatility is 1.78%, with selling pressure sustained since the open and strongly aligned with the momentum bias.
Previously it was reported that Applied Materials was facing near-term technical resistance despite robust quarterly results, with analysts highlighting a divergence between strong fundamentals and weak momentum signals. The current setup deepens this narrative, as renewed downside pressure and continued negative momentum reinforce the need to watch support at $428.29 for signs of either stabilization or additional risk.