Applied Materials Inc

Market and investment · Asset valuation and impairment

We have a significant amount of goodwill and other acquired intangible assets related to acquisitions. Goodwill and purchased intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are reviewed for impairment annually during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year and more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.

Capital structure and performance · Credit rating and cost of capital

Significant changes in our credit rating, disruptions in the global financial markets, or incurrence of new or refinancing of existing indebtedness at higher interest rates could have a material and adverse impact on our access to and cost of capital for future financings and our financial condition.

Market and investment · Investment portfolio performance

Our investment portfolio is subject to general credit, liquidity, market and interest rate risks, which may be exacerbated by rising inflation, rising interest rates, bank failures or economic recession and the value and liquidity of our portfolio and returns on pension assets could be negatively impacted and lead to impairment charges. We also maintain cash balances in various bank accounts globally and if any of these financial institutions become insolvent, it could limit our ability to access our cash and affect our ability to manage our operations.

Capital structure and performance · Financial performance volatility

We are a supplier to the global display industry, which has experienced considerable volatility in capital equipment investment levels, due in part to the limited number of display manufacturers, the concentrated nature of end-use applications, production capacity relative to end-use demand, the speed of adopting new technologies and panel manufacturer profitability.

International and currency · Transfer pricing and taxation

Various countries where we do business have enacted or plan to enact new tax laws to implement the global minimum tax regimes based on the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Base Erosion and Profit Shifting Project, and where enacted, the rules began to be effective in fiscal 2025.

Credit and liquidity · Access to capital and financing

Capital requirements for building and operating new fabrication plants and customers' ability to raise the necessary capital; trade, regulatory, tax or government incentives impacting customers' investment in new or expanded fabrication plants and semiconductor research and development.

Digital transformation and innovation · Artificial intelligence and automation

We are increasingly incorporating AI capabilities into the development of technologies, our business operations and our products and services. AI technology is complex and rapidly evolving and may subject us to significant competitive, legal, regulatory, operational and other risks. The implementation of AI can be costly, and there is no guarantee that our use of AI will enhance our technologies, benefit our business operations, or produce products and services that are preferred by our customers. Our competitors may be more successful in their AI strategy and develop superior products and services with the aid of AI technology.

Digital transformation and innovation · Technology obsolescence and evolution

If we do not successfully anticipate technology inflections, develop and commercialize new products and technologies, and respond to changes in customer requirements and market trends, our business performance and operating results may be materially and adversely impacted.

Market position and competition · Market cyclicality and demand volatility

The industries in which we operate, including the global semiconductor industry, have historically been cyclical and are subject to volatility in customer demand. Demand for our products and services is impacted by technology inflections and advances in fabrication processes, new and emerging technologies and market drivers, production capacity relative to demand for semiconductor chips and electronic devices, end-user demand, the timing of customers' investment in new or expanded fabrication plants, customers' capacity utilization, production volumes, access to affordable capital, business and consumer buying patterns and general economic and political conditions.

Innovation and product development · Intellectual property protection and infringement

Our success depends on the protection of our technology using patents, trade secrets, copyrights and other intellectual property rights. Infringement or misappropriation of our intellectual property rights, such as the manufacture or sale of equipment or spare parts that use our technology without authorization, could result in uncompensated lost market and revenue opportunities.

Customer and revenue · Customer concentration and key customer dependence

A relatively limited number of customers account for a substantial portion of our business. As a result, the actions of even a single customer have exposed and can further expose our business and operating results to greater volatility. Our customer base is geographically concentrated, particularly in China, Taiwan and Korea, and export regulations that apply to customers in certain countries, such as those in China, have exposed and can further expose our business and operating results to greater volatility.

Strategic execution · Merger acquisition and divestiture risks

We may engage in acquisitions of or investments in companies, technologies or products in existing, related or new markets. Business combinations, acquisitions and investments involve numerous risks to our business, financial condition and operating results, including: inability to complete proposed transactions timely or at all due to the failure to obtain regulatory or other approvals, including through expanding global national security regimes that impose prohibitions on foreign investments in or acquisitions of local businesses.

Market position and competition · Disruptive competitors and new market entrants

The industries in which we operate are highly competitive and subject to rapid technological and market changes. We operate in a highly competitive environment in which innovation is critical, and our future success depends on many factors, including the development of new technologies, commercialization of our products and services, and our ability to increase our position in our current markets and expand into adjacent and new markets.

Tax and financial reporting · Tax compliance and changes in tax law

Additionally, on July 4, 2025, the U.S. government enacted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Key tax provisions of the OBBBA are designed to accelerate tax deductions, but that may have a detrimental impact on our ability to use certain deferred tax assets. For example, as a result of the acceleration of certain tax deductions under the OBBBA, we are unable to forecast utilization of our existing corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) credit deferred tax asset. We have recorded a full valuation allowance against the CAMT credit deferred tax asset, which increased our effective tax rate and provision for income taxes in fiscal 2025.

Legal and litigation · Intellectual property disputes

From time to time third parties have asserted, and may continue to assert, intellectual property claims against us and our products. Claims that our products infringe the rights of others, whether or not meritorious, can be expensive and time-consuming to defend and resolve, and may divert the efforts and attention of management and personnel.

Industry regulation · Safety and environmental regulations

We are subject to environmental, health and safety regulations in connection with our global business operations, including but not limited to: regulations related to the design, manufacture, sale, shipping, import, export and use of our products; use, handling, discharge, recycling, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials used in our products or in producing our products; the operation of our facilities; and the use of our real property, including in connection with construction of our infrastructure projects.

Geopolitical and trade · Government funding and budget changes

From time to time, we enter into agreements with government entities for grants, tax benefits and other incentives, other funding related to our investment, research and development and production activities or for sale of our products to government entities or government-funded programs. These agreements typically include terms that are not common in similar agreements with non-governmental entities, including representations and warranties, covenants and certifications, and record-keeping, accounting, audit, intellectual property rights-sharing, information handling, supply chain management, headcount, security, disclosure and other requirements.

Geopolitical and trade · International conflicts and tensions

We have product development, engineering, manufacturing, sales and other operations distributed throughout many countries, and some of our business activities are concentrated in certain geographic areas. In fiscal 2025, approximately 89% of our net revenue was to customers in regions outside of the United States. As a result of the global nature of our operations, we are subject to a number of factors that could have an adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. These factors include global political and social conditions, such as policies or regulations within countries, including in China, the United States and countries in Europe and Asia, that favor domestic companies over non-domestic companies, including efforts to promote the development and growth of local competitors to us, or regarding national, commercial or security issues. Other factors include geopolitical turmoil, acts of war or social unrest.

Geopolitical and trade · Trade policies tariffs and sanctions

Global trade issues and changes in and uncertainties with respect to trade policies and export regulations, including import and export license requirements, trade sanctions, tariffs and international trade disputes, have adversely impacted and could further adversely impact our business and operations, and reduce the competitiveness of our products and services relative to local and global competitors.

Human capital and workforce · Talent acquisition and retention

Our success depends in large part on our ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified employees and leaders with the necessary expertise and capabilities, representing diverse backgrounds and experiences. Achieving this objective may be difficult due to many factors, including fluctuations in global economic and industry conditions, management or organizational changes, ongoing competition for talent, the availability of qualified employees.