Franklin Resources Inc. Sells 199,881 Shares of Applied Materials, Inc.

Institutional investor reduces stake in semiconductor equipment manufacturer

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:34am

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Franklin Resources Inc., a major institutional investor, has reduced its position in Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT) by selling 199,881 shares during the third quarter. The firm now owns 3,377,917 shares of the manufacturing equipment provider's stock, representing about 0.42% of the company's outstanding shares.

Why it matters

This transaction by a prominent institutional investor provides insight into the market's sentiment towards Applied Materials, a leading supplier of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Institutional investors' trading activity can signal broader trends and investor confidence in a company's prospects.

The details

According to a recent SEC filing, Franklin Resources Inc. sold 199,881 shares of Applied Materials stock in the third quarter. The firm now holds 3,377,917 shares, down 5.6% from the prior quarter. Applied Materials is a major supplier of equipment, services and software used in the production of semiconductors, flat panel displays and other advanced materials.

  • The share sale occurred during the third quarter of 2026.

The players

Franklin Resources Inc.

A global investment management organization that provides a range of investment management and related services to institutional and individual investors around the world.

Applied Materials, Inc.

A U.S.-based supplier of equipment, services and software used to manufacture semiconductor chips, flat panel displays and other advanced materials. Headquartered in Santa Clara, California.

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The takeaway

This transaction by a major institutional investor highlights the ongoing volatility and shifting sentiment in the semiconductor equipment market, which is closely tied to broader trends in the technology sector. Investors will likely continue to monitor institutional trading activity in Applied Materials and other industry players as an indicator of market dynamics.