Applied Materials Inc. posted fourth‑quarter fiscal 2026 results that beat Wall Street expectations, prompting its shares to trade about 1.5% higher in after‑hours trading. The company recorded revenue of $10.41 billion, exceeding the consensus estimate of $10.3 billion, and delivered adjusted earnings per share of $4.16 versus the projected $4.06. Non‑GAAP gross margin stood at 50.6%, while operating income reached $3.68 billion, representing 35.3% of revenue. Cash generated from operations amounted to $3.30 billion. Shareholder returns totaled $2.42 billion, comprising $2.00 billion in share repurchases and $421 million in dividend payments. CEO Gary Dickerson said the firm achieved record results for fiscal 2026 and is on track to grow its Semiconductor Systems business by more than 40% in calendar 2026, driven by AI‑related demand. Looking ahead, Applied Materials provided guidance for the first quarter of fiscal 2027, forecasting total revenue of $11.1 billion plus or minus $500 million and adjusted earnings per share of $4.35 plus or minus $0.20, both above analyst expectations of $10.84 billion and $4.25 respectively.