What happened
Shares of the semiconductor equipment maker Applied Materials (AMAT +1.05%) have risen 46% this year, according to data provided by S&P Global Market Intelligence, after the company reported two strong quarters that surpassed analysts' expectations.
So what
Applied Materials began its slow and steady ascent this year after the company reported a strong first-quarter 2017 in February. Sales increased 45% year over year to $3.28 billion, and the company's non-GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings per share of $0.67 set an all-time record for the company. That bested analysts' consensus forecast of $0.66 EPS and helped start the company's share-price rise.
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Then in May, Applied reported its second-quarter 2017 earnings, with sales jumping by 45% year over year to $3.55 billion and non-GAAP earnings per share popping 132% to $0.79. That easily beat the analysts' consensus earnings of $0.76 for the quarter.
It was a banner quarter for the company, with CEO Gary Dickerson saying in a press release: "Applied Materials delivered the highest quarterly revenue and earnings in our history, and we've now set new earnings records for four quarters in a row."
All of that good news continued to push investor sentiment for Applied Material's shares even higher through May and into June.
Now what
Investors likely have more to look forward to with Applied's stock price, as the company is forecasting third-quarter revenue between $3.6 billion and $3.75 billion, which would be about a 30% increase at the midpoint. Earnings per share are expected to rise 66% year over year at the midpoint, and if they come in at the high end of management's guidance of $0.87, the company will surpass analysts' consensus once again.
