Overview

• Applied Materials reported third-quarter adjusted earnings of $2.48 per share on $7.3 billion in revenue, exceeding analysts’ estimates.
• Its guidance for the fiscal fourth quarter forecasts approximately $6.7 billion in revenue and $2.11 per share in adjusted earnings, both below consensus, triggering a 13–14 percent slide in premarket trading.
• CEO Gary Dickerson warned that volatile demand in China and shifting U.S. export controls are creating ‘increased uncertainty and lower visibility’ for the business.
• CFO Brice Hill said the expected downturn reflects digestion of capacity in China and non-linear leading-edge customer spending tied to fab timing.
• Analysts remain split on whether the pullback signals a temporary timing delay or a deeper slowdown, as peers such as ASML have issued similar policy-related cautions.