By Tae Kim

When Applied Materials reports earnings after the market close Thursday, investors will likely focus on any remarks about the impact of the recent trade war.

The company is the largest chip-equipment maker in the world. Its top customers include Intel and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing.

The consensus among analysts is for Applied Materials to report April quarter revenue of $7.13 billion with adjusted earnings per share of $2.31. For the current quarter, analysts estimate revenue of $7.22 billion and earnings per share of $2.31, according to FactSet.

China is a key area of concern for Applied Materials because the country is the largest market for spending on semicap equipment -- the equipment used to manufacture chips.

Since early April, the U.S. and China have undergone a series of trade policy changes -- from raising the tariff rates above 100% on each other's goods to lowering the rates substantially on Monday for 90 days to allow for further negotiations. Semicap equipment was exempted from the country tariffs in early April, but that might change in the future. The U.S. could impose sector specific tariffs on chips and electronics in the coming weeks, officials have said.

Investors are likely looking forward to any clarity on how the trade war has affected demand and the potential for any additional export restrictions on advanced chip-making equipment.

Write to Tae Kim at tae.kim@barrons.com

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May 15, 2025 01:30 ET (05:30 GMT)

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