Categories: BusinessFinance

Applied Materials announces new $10 bln share buyback plan, hikes dividend

Applied Materials, which makes equipment to produce chips, said on Monday that its board has approved a new $10 billion share repurchase scheme, and also raised its quarterly dividend.

Shares of the Santa Clara, California-based company rose more than 1% in trading before the bell.

The newly approved buyback scheme adds to its previous authorization, which had $4.7 billion remaining at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2023, the company said.

Applied Materials said its board also approved a 23% increase in its quarterly dividend, the largest in five years, to 32 cents per share, up from 26 cents per share.

The semiconductor industry has been facing a downturn in demand for chips used in personal computers and mobile devices, although, in a bright spot, demand from data center and automotive sectors has been steady.

Last month, Applied Materials forecast quarterly revenue that was largely above analysts’ expectations as it benefited from resilient demand for its tools used to make chips for the automotive and artificial intelligence industries.

Applied Materials said its services business has become larger and more subscription-based helping its revenue and profitability become more predictable.

Source : Reuters

GLOBAL BUSINESS AND FINANCE MAGAZINE

Recent Posts

Less focus on poverty reduction? An evaluation of the EU 2028-2034 development aid plan

European Union development aid is emphasising poverty reduction less and directing attention to other geopolitical…

8 hours ago

The impact of the US exit from free trade on trade cooperation elsewhere in the world

The large US tariffs announced in April 2025 led other countries to debate the best…

8 hours ago

Measuring organisational capital from employee reviews

The way firms coordinate activities, motivate employees, accumulate knowledge, and adapt to changing environments evolves…

9 hours ago

When central banks over-deliver, markets listen differently

Financial markets pay close attention to monetary policy, and surprise policy decisions can strongly affect…

9 hours ago

The impact of global versus regional energy shocks on the EU

Not all energy shocks are alike. This column uses a multi-country, multi-sector DSGE model with…

9 hours ago

Regulating platform work where informality matters: The Chilean case

Chile’s 2022 Platform Work Law was the first reform to address concerns about independent contractors…

9 hours ago