Applied Materials’ revenue forecast signals weak spending outside AI chips

By Jaspreet Singh

(Reuters) -Applied Materials forecast first-quarter revenue below Wall Street estimates on Thursday, a sign of sluggish demand for the chipmaking equipment outside of AI-powered chips, sending its shares down nearly 5% in extended trading.

Despite the strong need for leading-edge equipment for AI chips, the weakness in certain markets has kept the spending slow, hitting demand for firms such as Applied Materials (NASDAQ:).

“Any sign of slowing momentum for recent explosive, AI-related growth … is being penalized by investors,” said Brooks Idlet, analyst at CFRA.

Moreover, stricter export curbs on high-end chips and certain equipment to China from the United States have kept the uncertainty lingering on both tools suppliers and chip firms.

Applied also faces competition from other chipmaking equipment suppliers such as KLA Corp, Lam Research (NASDAQ:) and Europe’s ASML Holding (AS:).

Rival ASML had forecast lower-than-expected 2025 sales and bookings earlier in October on sustained weakness in parts of the semiconductor market despite a boom in AI-related chips.

The largest U.S. semiconductor equipment maker expects first-quarter revenue of about $7.15 billion, plus or minus $400 million, below analysts’ average estimate of $7.22 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.

It forecast adjusted profit per share of about $2.29, plus or minus $0.18, which was above estimates of $2.27.

Revenue rose 5% to $7.05 billion for the fourth quarter ended Oct. 27, beating estimates of $6.95 billion. China accounted for 30% of company’s revenue in the quarter, compared with 44% in the same period last year.

Adjusted profit per share of $2.32 also beat estimates of $2.19 in the fourth quarter.