- Lam Research (LRCX +4.1%), KLA-Tencor (KLAC +2.3%), ASML (ASML +2.2%), Axcelis (ACLS +3.9%), Kulicke & Soffa (KLIC +3%), Ultratech (UTEK +3.5%), Teradyne (TER +2.3%), Rudolph Technologies (RTEC +2.6%), and Xcerra (XCRA +2.7%) are outperforming after Applied Materials (AMAT +13.2%) beat FQ2 estimates, provided FQ3 guidance that was well above consensus, and reported FQ2 orders rose 52% Q/Q and 37% Y/Y to $3.45B. The Nasdaq is up 1.2%.
- Applied's order growth was fueled in large part by display equipment orders totaling $700M, up sharply from $183M in the prior quarter and $120M a year ago. On its earnings call, AMAT said display order strength is likely to continue "over the rest of 2016," and is being driven by mobile-related OLED investments - many reports have indicated Apple plans to bring iPhones sporting OLEDs to market next year.
- OLED materials/IP provider Universal Display (OLED +5.2%) is rallying. As are display panel makers LG Display (LPL +6.5%) and AU Optronics (AUO +3.2%), each of which have been stepping up their OLED investments, and industrial laser maker Coherent (COHR +2.5%), which has recently seen an OLED-related order surge.
- Also: Applied's NAND flash-related orders more than doubled Y/Y to nearly $1B thanks to its customers' 3D NAND investments. That more than offset softer DRAM and foundry-related chip equipment demand. On the call, Applied suggested NAND orders will slow a bit in the second half of FY16, but remain strong overall. Foundry demand is expected to grow somewhat this year, with Applied gaining share. Industry wafer fab equipment demand is expected to be flat to slightly up.
- B. Riley has upgraded Applied to Buy, and several firms have hiked their targets. Cowen's Tim Arcuri thinks $3 in annual EPS is now possible. Credit Suisse's Farhan Ahmad: "AMAT is clearly outgrowing peers this year, driven by favourable mix shift within WFE (NAND/Foundry increasing, DRAM declining) and strong growth in Display (China/OLED investments)."