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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark one)
þ

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended October 28, 201825, 2020
or
¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                     to                     
Commission file number 000-06920
Applied Materials, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware94-1655526
(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)
3050 Bowers Avenue, P.O. Box 58039
Santa Clara, California
95052-8039
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
3050 Bowers Avenue
P.O. Box 58039
Santa Clara, California 95052-8039
(Address of principal executive offices)
(408) 727-5555
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(408) 727-5555code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each ClassTrading SymbolName of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, par value $.01 per shareAMATThe NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  þ        No  ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨        No  þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  þ        No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit).    Yes  þ        No  ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    þ
 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 
Large accelerated filer 
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Large accelerated filer þ
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨
Smaller reporting company ¨
Emerging growth company¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C.7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨        No  þ
Aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of April 29, 2018,26, 2020, based upon the closing sale price reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market on that date: $49,674,881,854$47,228,292,437
Number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock, $.01 par value, as of December 7, 2018: 958,606,0934, 2020: 914,344,189
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Portions of Part III will be provided in accordance with Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K no later than February 25, 2019.22, 2021.



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Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Annual Report on Form 10-K of Applied Materials, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7, contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.
This report contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Examples of forward-looking statements include those regarding Applied’s future financial or operating results, customer demand and spending, end-useend-user demand, Applied’s and market and industry trends and outlooks, the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and responses thereto on Applied’s operations and financial results, cash flows and cash deployment strategies, declaration of dividends, share repurchases, business strategies and priorities, costs and cost controls, products, competitive positions, management’s plans and objectives for future operations, research and development, strategic acquisitions and investments, including the proposed acquisition of Kokusai Electric Corporation (Kokusai Electric), growth opportunities, restructuring activities, backlog, working capital, liquidity, investment portfolio and policies, taxes, supply chain, manufacturing, properties, legal proceedings and claims, and other statements that are not historical facts, as well as their underlying assumptions. Forward-looking statements may contain words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “intend,” “potential” and “continue,” the negative of these terms, or other comparable terminology. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and other important factors, including those discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” below and elsewhere in this report. These and many other factors could affect Applied’s future financial condition and operating results and could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations based on forward-looking statements made in this document or elsewhere by Applied or on its behalf. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s estimates, projections and expectations as of the date hereof, and Applied undertakes no obligation to revise or update any such statements.
The following information should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this report.

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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 28, 201825, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Page
PART IPage
PART I
Item 1:
Item 1A:
Item 1B:
Item 2:
Item 3:
Item 4:
PART II
Item 5:
Item 6:
Item 7:
Item 7A:
Item 8:
Item 9:
Item 9A:
Item 9B:
PART III
Item 10:
Item 11:
Item 12:
Item 13:
Item 14:
PART IV
Item 15:
Item 16:


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PART I
Item 1:Business
Item 1:     Business
Incorporated in 1967, Applied Materials, Inc. (Applied) is a Delaware corporation. A global company with a broad set of capabilities in materials engineering, Applied provides manufacturing equipment, services and software to the semiconductor, display and related industries. With its diverse technology capabilities, Applied delivers products and services that improve device performance, yield and cost. Applied’s customers include manufacturers of semiconductor chips, liquid crystal and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, and other electronic devices. These customers may use what they manufacture in their own end products or sell the items to other companies for use in advanced electronic components. Applied’s fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in October.
Applied operates in three reportable segments: Semiconductor Systems, Applied Global Services, and Display and Adjacent Markets. A summary of financial information for each reportable segment is found in Note 1517 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. A discussion of factors that could affect operations is set forth under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A, which is incorporated herein by reference.


Semiconductor Systems
Applied’s Semiconductor Systems segment develops, manufactures and sells a wide range of manufacturing equipment used to fabricate semiconductor chips, also referred to as integrated circuits (ICs). The Semiconductor Systems segment includes semiconductor capital equipment used for many steps of the chip making process including the transfer of patterns into device structures, transistor and interconnect fabrication, metrology, inspection and review, and packaging technologies for connecting finished IC die. Applied’s patterning systems and technologies address challenges resulting from shrinking pattern dimensions and the growing complexity in vertical stacking found in today’s most advanced semiconductor devices. Applied’s transistor and interconnect products and technologies enable continued device scalingpower and performance improvements of 3D transistors. Applied’s metrology, inspection and review systems’ imaging capabilities and algorithms employ optical and e-beam technologies to meet the most advanced technical demands such asin areas including self-aligned double and quad patterning, extreme ultraviolet layers, measurement-intensive optimal proximity correction mask qualification, and new 3D architectures. Applied’s packaging technologies address challenges resulting from the increasing heterogeneous integration of multiple IC dies in a single package. Applied delivers leading-edge capabilities that enable chipmakers to establish accurate statistical process control, ramp up production runs rapidly, and achieve consistently high production yields. The majority of Applied’s new equipment sales areis sold to leading integrated device manufacturers and foundries worldwide.

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TechnologiesProduct(s)
Epitaxy
Epitaxy (or epi) is a technique for growing silicon (e.g. silicon with another element) as a uniform crystalline structure on a wafer to form high quality material for the device circuity. Epi technology is used in device transistors to enhance chip speed.
Centura RP Epi
Ion Implant
Ion implantation is a key technology for forming transistors and is used many times during chip fabrication. During ion implantation, wafers are bombarded by a beam of electrically-charged ions, called dopants, which can change the electrical properties of the exposed semiconductor material.
VIISta Systems
Oxidation/Nitridation
Applied’s systems provide critical oxidation steps - like memory gate oxide, shallow trench isolation and liner oxide - for advanced device scaling.
Vantage, Radiance and Centura Systems
Rapid Thermal Processing (RTP)
RTP is used primarily for annealing, which modifies the properties of deposited films. Applied’s single-wafer RTP systems are also used for growing high quality oxide and oxynitride films.
Vantage Systems
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)
PVD is used to deposit high quality metal films. Applications include metal gate, silicides, contact liner/barrier, interconnect copper barrier seed and metal hard mask.
Endura Systems
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
CVD is used to deposit dielectric and metal films on a wafer. During the CVD process, gases that contain atoms of the material to be deposited react on the wafer surface, forming a thin film of solid material.
Endura, Centura and Producer Systems
Chemical Mechanical Planarization (CMP)
CMP is used to planarize a wafer surface, a process that allows subsequent photolithography patterning and material deposition steps to occur with greater accuracy, resulting in more uniform film layers with minimal thickness variations.
Reflexion Systems
Electrochemical Deposition (ECD)
ECD is a process by which metal atoms from a chemical fluid (an electrolyte) are deposited on the surface of an immersed object.
Raider and Nokota Platforms
Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD)
ALD technology enables ultra thin film growth of either a conducting or insulating material with uniform coverage in nanometer-sized structures.
Olympia System
Etch
Etching is used many times throughout the IC manufacturing process to selectively remove material from the surface of a wafer. Applied offers systems for etching dielectric, metal, and silicon films to meet the requirements of advanced processing.
Centris and Producer Systems
Selective RemovalProcessing (Deposition and Removal)
Selective processing uses specially co-designed chemical and materials interactions to enable delicate and precise deposition and removal is a new etch technology intended to remove a material of a particular composition without damaging materials of different composition that coexist on the wafer.target materials.
Endura and Producer Systems
Metrology and Inspection
Metrology and inspection tools are used to locate, measure, and analyze defects and features on the wafer during various stages of the fabrication processes. Applied enables customers to characterize and control critical dimension (CD) and defect issues, especially at advanced generation technology nodes.
SEMVision G7 Defect Analysis

PROVision eBeam Inspection

UVision 8 Inspection

VeritySEM 5i Metrology

Aera4 Mask Inspection



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Applied Global Services
The Applied Global ServicesServices® (AGS) segment provides integrated solutions to optimize equipment and fab performance and productivity, including spares, upgrades, services, remanufactured earlier generation equipment and factory automation software for semiconductor, display and other products. Customer demand for products and services is fulfilled through a global distribution system with 93in more than 110 locations and trained service engineers located in close proximity to customer sites in more than a dozen19 countries to support over 40,00044,900 installed Applied semiconductor, display and other manufacturing systems worldwide. Applied offers the following general types of services and products under the Applied Global Services segment.
AGS Solutions and Technology
Technology-enabled ServicesTechnology-Enabled Services®
A comprehensive service product portfolio that combines service technology and tool specific performance commitments in order to optimize customer factory productivity.
Fab Consulting
Experts using advanced analytical tools to solve production problems that have the greatest impact on customer fab productivity.
Supply Chain Assurance Programs
Spare parts product portfolio offers options to balance inventory, cost and risk to efficiently meet fab requirements. 
Subfab Equipment
Applied SubFab solutions lower costs, save energy, reduce environmental impact, and meet Environmental Protection Agency reporting regulations for greenhouse gas emissions.
Legacy Equipment
Comprehensive 200mm equipment and upgrades portfolio to address a full spectrum of production needs and extend tool lifetime. Applied 200mm equipment supports market inflections and new technology for a broad variety of devices including analog, power, and MEMS.
Automation Software
Applied SmartFactorySmartFactory® automation software portfolio coordinates and streamlines every aspect of a factory-the processes, equipment and people-to provide competitive advantage to customers.



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Display and Adjacent Markets
The Display and Adjacent Markets segment is comprised of products for manufacturing liquid crystal displays (LCDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), and other display technologies for TVs, monitors, laptops, personal computers (PCs), electronic tablets, smart phones, and other consumer-oriented devices as well as equipment for processing flexible substrates. While similarities exist between the technologies utilized in semiconductor and display fabrication, the most significant differences are in the size and composition of the substrate. Substrates used to manufacture display panels and other devices are typically glass, although newer flexible materials are entering the market. Display and Adjacent Markets industry growth depends primarily on consumer demand for increasingly larger and more advanced TVs and high resolution displays for mobile devices as well as new form factors, including thin, light, curved and curvedflexible displays, and new applications such as augmented and virtual reality. The Display and Adjacent Markets segment offers a variety of technologies and products, including:

Display and Adjacent Markets TechnologiesProduct(s)
Array Test
LCD display substrates are inspected at many stages of production to maximize yield, minimize scrap, optimize equipment utilization, and monitor manufacturing processes. At the completion of the array stage, the performance of the millions of individual pixels on each display is tested.
Electron Beam Array Tester
Defect Review
Defects are identified during inspection steps and reviewed by a scanning electron microscope and other analyses to determine defect root cause and composition.
Electron Beam Review (EBR)
Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)
During CVD processing, gases containing atoms or molecules are introduced into the process chamber. The gases form reactive radicals or ions, which undergo chemical reactions to form thin films on the heated substrate.
AKT PECVD Systems
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)
PVD is used to deposit high quality films of metals, alloys, transparent conductors and semiconductors. In Display, these films are used for contact, interconnect, transparent electrodes and transistor materials in TFT-LCD and OLED display backplanes, as well as for transparent electrodes in color filters and touch panels.
AKT Aristo and PiVot Systems
Flexible Technologies
Flexible coating systems utilize physical vapor deposition, thermal evaporation, chemical vapor deposition, and e-beam technology to deposit thin layers of metal onto flexible substrates.
TopBeam, TopMet, TopCoil and SmartWeb Systems

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Backlog
Applied manufactures systems to meet demand represented by order backlog and customer commitments. Backlog as of October 29, 2017 consisted of: (1) orders for which written authorizations have been accepted and assigned shipment dates are within the next 12 months, or shipment has occurred but revenue has not been recognized; and (2) contractual service revenue and maintenance fees to be earned within the next 12 months.
Backlog by reportable segment as of October 29, 2017 was as follows:
 2017
    
 (In millions, except percentages)
Semiconductor Systems$2,991
 49%
Applied Global Services1,130
 19%
Display and Adjacent Markets1,847
 31%
Corporate and Other63
 1%
Total$6,031
 100%
In anticipation of the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, Applied has removed the 12 month threshold in relation to backlog in order to more closely align backlog to performance obligations as defined under the new revenue recognition standard. As such, backlog as of October 28, 2018 consists of: (1) orders for which written authorizations have been accepted, or shipment has occurred but revenue has not been recognized; and (2) contractual service revenue and maintenance fees.
Backlog by reportable segment as of October 28, 201825, 2020 and October 27, 2019 was as follows:
2018 20202019
   
(In millions, except percentages) (In millions, except percentages)
Semiconductor Systems$2,479
 41%Semiconductor Systems$2,880 43 %$2,925 45 %
Applied Global Services1,751
 29%Applied Global Services2,607 39 %2,073 32 %
Display and Adjacent Markets1,836
 30%Display and Adjacent Markets1,115 17 %1,453 23 %
Corporate and Other26
 %Corporate and Other54 %22 — %
Total$6,092
 100%Total$6,656 100 %$6,473 100 %
Of the total backlog as of October 28, 2018,25, 2020, approximately 15%16% is not reasonably expected to be filled within the next 12 months.
Applied’s backlog on any particular date is not necessarily indicative of actual sales for any future periods, due to the potential for customer changes in delivery schedules or order cancellations. Customers may delay delivery of products or cancel orders prior to shipment, subject to possible cancellation penalties. Delays in delivery schedules or a reduction of backlog during any particular period could have a material adverse effect on Applied’s business and results of operations.

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Manufacturing, Raw Materials and Supplies
Applied’s worldwide manufacturing activities consist primarily of assembly, testintegration and integrationtest of various proprietary and commercial parts, components and subassemblies that are used to manufacture systems. Applied has implemented a distributed manufacturing model under which manufacturing and supply chain activities are conducted in various countries, including Germany, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, the United States and other countries in Asia. Applied uses numerousqualified vendors, including contract manufacturers, to supply parts, services and assembly services for the manufacture and support of its products, including some systems being completed at customer sites.product support.
Although Applied makes reasonable efforts to assure that parts are available from multiple qualified suppliers, this is not always possible. Accordingly, some key parts may be obtained from only a qualified single supplier or a limited group of qualified suppliers. Applied seeks to reduce costs and to lower the risks of manufacturing and service interruptions by selecting and qualifying alternate suppliers for key parts; monitoring the financial condition of key suppliers; maintaining appropriate inventories of key parts; qualifying new parts on a timely basis; and ensuring quality and performance of parts.

Research, Development and Engineering
Applied’s long-term growth strategy requires continued development of new materials engineering capabilities, including products and platforms that enable expansion into new and adjacent markets. Applied’s significant investments in research, development and engineering (RD&E) must generally enable it to deliver new products and technologies before the emergence of strong demand, thus allowing customers to incorporate these products into their manufacturing plans during early-stage technology selection. Applied works closely with its global customers and ecosystem partners to design systems and processes that meet planned technical and production requirements.
Applied’s product development and engineering organizations are located primarily in the United States, as well as in Canada, China, Europe, India, Israel, Singapore and Taiwan. In addition, certain outsourced RD&E activities, process support and customer demonstrations are performed in the United States, India, China, Singapore and Taiwan.

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Marketing and Sales

Because of the highly technical nature of its products, Applied markets and sells products worldwide almost entirely through a direct sales force.
Applied has operations in many countries, with some of its business activities concentrated in certain geographic areas, and global and regional economic conditions can impact the company’s business and financial results. Applied’s business is based on capital equipment investments by major semiconductor, display and other manufacturers, and is subject to significant variability in customer demand for Applied’s products. Customers’ expenditures depend on many factors, including: general economic conditions; anticipated market demand and pricing for semiconductors, display technologies and other electronic devices; the development of new technologies; customers’ factory utilization; capital resources and financing; and government policies and incentives. In addition, a significant driver in the semiconductor and display industries ishas been end-demand for mobile consumer products, which ishas been characterized by seasonality that impacts the timing of customer investments in manufacturing equipment and, in turn, Applied’s business.
Information on net sales to unaffiliated customers and long-lived assets attributable to Applied’s geographic regions is included in Note 1517 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The following companies accounted for at least 10 percent of Applied’s net sales in each fiscal year, which were for products and services in multiple reportable segments.
 
2018 2017 2016202020192018
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.13% 23% 13%Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.18%*13%
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited11% 15% 16%Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited18%14%*
Micron Technology, Inc.* * 11%
Intel Corporation11% * 11%Intel Corporation*12%11%

* Less than 10%

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Competition
The industries in which Applied operates are highly competitive and characterized by rapid technological change. Applied’s ability to compete generally depends on its ability to commercialize its technology in a timely manner, continually improve its products, and develop new products that meet constantly evolving customer requirements. Significant competitive factors include technical capability and differentiation, productivity, cost-effectiveness and the ability to support a global customer base. The importance of these factors varies according to customers’ needs, including product mix and respective product requirements, applications, and the timing and circumstances of purchasing decisions. Substantial competition exists in all areas of Applied’s business. Competitors range from small companies that compete in a single region, which may benefit from policies and regulations that favor domestic companies, to global, diversified companies. Applied’s ability to compete requires a high level of investment in RD&E, marketing and sales, and global customer support activities. Management believes that many of Applied’s products have strong competitive positions.
The competitive environment for each segment is described below.
The semiconductor industry is driven by demand for advanced electronic products, including smartphones and other mobile devices, servers, personal computers, automotive devices,electronics, storage, and other products. The growth of data and emerging end-market drivers such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, 5G networks, smart vehicles and augmented and virtual reality the Internet of Things and smart vehicles are also creating new opportunitiesthe next wave of growth for the industry. As a result, products within the Semiconductor Systems segment are subject to significant changes in customer requirements, including transitions to smaller dimensions, increasingly complex chip architectures, new materials and an increasing number of applications. While certain existing technologies may be adapted to new requirements, some applications create the need for an entirely different technological approach. The rapid pace of technological change can quickly diminish the value of current technologies and products and create opportunities for existing and new competitors. Applied offers a variety of technologically-differentiateddifferentiated products that must continuously evolve to satisfy customers’ requirements to compete effectively in the marketplace. Applied allocates resources among its numerous product offerings and therefore may decide not to invest in an individual product to the same degree as competitors who specialize in fewer products.depending on market requirements. There are a number of competitors serving the semiconductor manufacturing equipment industry, which has experienced increasing consolidation. Some of these competitors offer a single product line and others offer multiple product lines, and range from suppliers serving a single region to global, diversified companies.
Products and services within the Applied Global Services segment complement Semiconductor Systems and Display and Adjacent Markets segments’ products in markets that are characterized by demanding worldwide service requirements and a diverse group of numerous competitors. To compete effectively, Applied offers products and services to improve tool performance, lower overall cost of ownership, and increase yields and productivity of customers’ fab operations. Significant competitive factors include productivity, cost-effectiveness, and the level of technical service and support. The importance of these factors varies according to customers’ needs and the type of products or services offered.
Products in the Display and Adjacent Markets segment are generally subject to strong competition from a number of major competitors primarily in Asia. Applied holds established market positions with its technically-differentiated LCD and OLED manufacturing solutions for PECVD, color filter PVD, PVD array, PVD touch panel, and TFT array testing, although its market position could change quickly due to customers’ evolving requirements. Important factors affecting the competitive position of Applied’s Display and Adjacent Markets products include: industry trends, Applied’s ability to innovate and develop new products, and the extent to which Applied’s products are technically-differentiated, as well as which customers within a highly concentrated customer base are making capital equipment investments and Applied’s existing position at these customers.

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Patents and Licenses
Applied’s competitive position significantly depends upon its research, development, engineering, manufacturing and marketing capabilities, as well as its patent position. Protection of Applied’s technology assets through enforcement of its intellectual property rights, including patents, is important. Applied’s practice is to file patent applications in the United States and other countries for inventions that it considers significant. Applied has approximately 12,50014,300 patents in the United States and other countries, and additional applications are pending for new inventions. Although Applied does not consider its business materially dependent upon any one patent, the rights of Applied and the products made and sold under its patents, taken as a whole, are a significant element of its business. In addition to its patents, Applied possesses other intellectual property, including trademarks, know-how, trade secrets, and copyrights.
Applied enters into patent and technology licensing agreements with other companies when it is determined to be in its best interest. Applied pays royalties under existing patent license agreements for the use, in several of its products, of certain patented technologies. Applied also receives royalties from licenses granted to third parties. Royalties received from or paid to third parties have not been material to Applied’s consolidated results of operations.
In the normal course of business, Applied periodically receives and makes inquiries regarding possible patent infringement. In responding to such inquiries, it may become necessary or useful for Applied to obtain or grant licenses or other rights. However, there can be no assurance that such licenses or rights will be available to Applied on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If Applied is not able to resolve or settle claims, obtain necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms, or successfully prosecute or defend its position, Applied’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.
Environmental MattersGovernmental Regulation
As a public company with global operations, Applied is subject to the laws and regulations of the United States and multiple foreign jurisdictions. These regulations, which differ among jurisdictions, include those related to financial and other disclosures, accounting standards, corporate governance, intellectual property, tax, trade, antitrust, employment, immigration and travel regulations, privacy, and anti-corruption.
With respect to environmental, health and safety regulation, Applied maintains a number of environmental, health, and safety programs that are primarily preventative in nature. As part of these programs, Appliednature and regularly monitors ongoing compliance with applicable laws and regulations. In addition, Applied has trained personnel to conduct investigations of any environmental, health, or safety incidents, including, but not limited to, spills, releases, or possible contamination.
SeealsoRisk Factors – Risks Related to Legal and Compliance - Applied is subject to risks associated with federal, state and local environmental, health and safety regulationsfor further details.
Applied is subject to income taxes in the United States and foreign jurisdictions. Applied’s provision for income taxes and effective tax rate could be affected by numerous factors, including changes in applicable tax laws, interpretations of applicable tax laws, amount and composition of pre-tax income in jurisdictions with differing tax rates, and valuation of deferred tax assets. See Risk Factors – Risks Related to Legal and Compliance – Applied is exposed to risks associated with operating in jurisdictions with complex and changing tax laws”. For additional discussions regarding the impact of compliance with income tax laws and regulations on Applied’s business and operations, see also “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations– Results of Operations – Income Taxes” and “Note 15 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements”.
Additionally, Applied is regulated under various international laws regarding the purchase and sale of goods and related items, including but not limited to those regulatingrelated to imposition of tariffs and other taxes, requirements for import/export licenses and limitations on transfer of intellectual property. SeeRisk Factors – Risks Associated with Operating a Global Business – International trade disputes could result in increase in tariffs and other trade restrictions and protectionist measures that could have an adverse impact on our operationsfor further details.

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Applied’s People
Applied’s commitment to innovation begins with the dischargecommitment to creating an environment in which Applied’s employees can do their best work. Applied’s ability to create differentiated value in the marketplace is driven by the capability of materialsthe Company’s people to anticipate technology inflections and integrate customer requirements. To achieve this level of value creation, Applied believes it must find, develop and keep a world-class global workforce. The Company invests in its employees by providing quality training and learning opportunities; promoting inclusion and diversity; and upholding a high standard of ethics and respect for human rights.
As of October 25, 2020, Applied employed approximately 24,000 regular full-time employees, of whom approximately 44%, 43% and 13% resided in the Asia-Pacific region, North America, and Europe, Middle East and Africa, respectively. Applied’s team spans 19 countries, reflecting various cultures, backgrounds, ages, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnicities.
Diversity and Inclusion
Applied knows that its diversity is one of its greatest strengths. The Company therefore strives to provide fair and equal opportunity for career development and advancement to all its employees and incorporates respect for diverse backgrounds and perspectives into the environment, remedial agreements,Company’s culture at every level – from strategy and policy down to everyday interactions.
Applied expects that its commitment to strengthening the Company’s culture of inclusion will broaden the diversity of its workplace and help Applied build a culture that benefits everyone. In recent years, Applied continued to make progress in its culture of inclusion journey, including, among other actions relatingthings, expanding gender diversity on the Company’s Board to 30% female membership, increasing female representation in the environmentU.S. and global workforce, and increasing U.S. underrepresented minority representation.
Talent Acquisition and Retention
Applied believes that its future success is highly dependent upon the Company’s continued ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified employees. As part of the Company’s effort to attract and motivate employees, Applied offers competitive rewards, compensation and benefits, including an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, healthcare and retirement benefits, parental and family leave, adoption credits, holiday and paid time off, and tuition assistance.
Employee Learning & Development
Applied believes continuous learning by its people feeds the Company’s pipeline of innovation and pays off in employee retention. Applied’s business units maintain an independent strategy for skill-building, using content that is owned, supervised, developed, and managed by each unit’s learning team. At the same time, these skill-building programs are aligned around a common set of objectives and framework focused on compliance, technical, professional and management development. For example, the Company’s Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) and Sustainability organization leads employee training and awareness on EHS management issues and the certification processes for safety and skills related to technical manufacturing and engineering work. In addition, all employees have notopportunities for training on a wide range of general professional skills that are designed to help them to be more effective in their current and future roles. There is an expectation that every employee has a development goal as a part of individual performance objectives. Historically more than 85% of employees have had development objectives.
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Employee Engagement, Organizational Health and Pandemic Response
Applied manages and measures organizational health with a view to gaining insight into employees’ experiences, levels of workplace satisfaction, and feelings of engagement and inclusion with the company. The Company uses McKinsey & Company’s Organizational Health Index (OHI) and employee engagement pulse surveys to measure its organizational health and employee experiences. In fiscal 2019, Applied achieved an overall “healthy” rating on the OHI and continued to rank in the top quartile for overall health in the McKinsey database. Insights from the Company’s OHI survey are not expectedused to have, a material effect on develop both company-wide and business unit level organizational and talent development plans.
Applied’s capital expenditures, competitive position, financial condition, or results of operations.
The most recent report on Applied’s environmental,top priority during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic remains protecting the health and safety of its employees and their families, customers and community. Applied continues to maintain workplace flexibility such as working remotely where possible to reduce the number of people who are on campus each day. Applied is keeping its critical labs and operations active consistent with local laws and regulations and continuing to support customers. In the interest of public health, all onsite operations are utilizing the minimum number of people to safely execute tasks and following enhanced safety and health protocols—including screenings, social distancing, and use of personal protective equipment.
Additional information regarding Applied’s activities related to its people and sustainability, as well as its workforce diversity data, can be found in Applied’s latest CitizenshipSustainability Report and Annex thereto, which are located on its website at http:https://www.appliedmaterials.com/news/citizenship_report.html. The CitizenshipSustainability Report isand the Annex thereto are updated periodically. This website address is intended to be an inactive textual reference only. None of the information on, or accessible through, Applied’s website is part of this Form 10-K or is incorporated by reference herein.
Employees
At October 28, 2018, Applied employed approximately 21,000 regular employees. In the high-technology industry, competition for highly-skilled employees is intense. Applied believes that its future success is highly dependent upon its continued ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified employees.


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Information about our Executive Officers of the Registrant
The following table and notes set forth information about Applied’s executive officers:
Name of IndividualPosition
Gary E. Dickerson(1)President, Chief Executive Officer
Ginetto Addiego(2)Senior Vice President, Engineering, Operations and Quality
Daniel J. Durn(3)Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Steve Ghanayem(4)Teri Little(4)Senior Vice President, New MarketsChief Legal Officer and Alliances GroupCorporate Secretary
Thomas F. Larkins(5)Omkaram Nalamasu(5)Senior Vice President, General Counsel
Omkaram Nalamasu(6)Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer
Prabu Raja(7)Raja(6)Senior Vice President, Semiconductor Products Group
Ali Salehpour(8)Salehpour(7)Senior Vice President, Services, Display and Flexible Technology
Charles Read(9)Read(8)Corporate Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
(1)Mr. Dickerson, age 61, was named President of Applied in June 2012 and appointed Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors in September 2013. Before joining Applied, he served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc. (Varian) from 2004 until its acquisition by Applied in November 2011. Prior to Varian, Mr. Dickerson served 18 years with KLA-Tencor Corporation (KLA-Tencor), a supplier of process control and yield management solutions for the semiconductor and related industries, where he held a variety of operations and product development roles, including President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Dickerson started his semiconductor career in manufacturing and engineering management at General Motors’ Delco Electronics Division and then AT&T Technologies.
(2)Dr. Addiego, age 59, has been Senior Vice President, Engineering, Operations and Quality since June 2015. He served as Senior Vice President, Engineering from March 2014 to June 2015. He previously was with Applied from 1996 to 2005, leading various product groups as well as global organizations, including Global Operations, Facilities and Real Estate, Foundation Engineering, and Information Technology. From March 2011 to March 2014, Dr. Addiego was President and Chief Operating Officer of Ultra Clean Technology Corp., a public company listed on NASDAQ and a supplier of critical subsystems for the semiconductor capital equipment, medical device, energy, research, and flat panel industries. From February 2005 to March 2011, Dr. Addiego worked at Novellus Systems, Inc., a provider of advanced process equipment for the semiconductor industry, where he served as Executive Vice President of Corporate Global Operations responsible for Central Engineering, Facilities, Real Estate, Human Resources and Information Technology, and Chief Administrative Officer.
(3)Mr. Durn, age 52, has been Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Applied since August 2017. Previously, Mr. Durn was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of NXP Semiconductors N.V., a semiconductor manufacturer (NXP), from December 2015 to August 2017. Mr. Durn served as Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., from June 2014 until its merger with NXP in December 2015. Prior to Freescale, Mr. Durn was Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration at GlobalFoundries, a semiconductor foundry, which he joined in December 2011.
(4)Mr. Ghanayem, age 53, has been Senior Vice President, New Markets and Alliances Group of Applied since November 2017.  He has served in various senior management, product development and operational roles since joining Applied in 1989, including Group Vice President and General Manager of the Transistor and Interconnect Group.
(5)Mr. Larkins, age 57, has been Senior Vice President, General Counsel of Applied since November 2012 and was Corporate Secretary from November 2012 to March 2018. Previously, Mr. Larkins was employed by Honeywell International Inc., a diversified global technology and manufacturing company, where he was Vice President, Corporate Secretary and Deputy General Counsel from 2002 until joining Applied.  Mr. Larkins served in various other positions at Honeywell (formerly AlliedSignal) after joining the company in 1997.
(6)Dr. Nalamasu, age 60, has been Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer since June 2013, and President of Applied Ventures, LLC, Applied’s venture capital arm, since November 2013. He had served as Group Vice President, Chief Technology Officer from January 2012 to June 2013, and as Corporate Vice President, Chief Technology Officer from January 2011 to January 2012. Upon joining Applied in June 2006 until January 2011, Dr. Nalamasu was an Appointed Vice President of Research and served as Deputy Chief Technology Officer and General Manager for the Advanced Technologies Group. From 2002 to 2006, Dr. Nalamasu was a NYSTAR distinguished professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he also served as Vice President of Research from 2005 to 2006. Prior to Rensselaer, Dr. Nalamasu served in several leadership roles at Bell Laboratories.

(1)Mr. Dickerson, age 63, was named President of Applied in June 2012 and appointed Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors in September 2013. Before joining Applied, he served as Chief Executive Officer and a director of Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc. (Varian) from 2004 until its acquisition by Applied in November 2011. Prior to Varian, Mr. Dickerson served 18 years with KLA-Tencor Corporation (KLA-Tencor), a supplier of process control and yield management solutions for the semiconductor and related industries, where he held a variety of operations and product development roles, including President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Dickerson started his semiconductor career in manufacturing and engineering management at General Motors’ Delco Electronics Division and then AT&T Technologies.
(2)Dr. Addiego, age 61, has been Senior Vice President, Operations and Quality since June 2015. He served as Senior Vice President, Engineering from March 2014 to June 2019. He previously worked at Applied from 1996 to 2005, leading various product groups as well as global organizations, including Global Operations, Facilities and Real Estate, Foundation Engineering, and Information Technology. From March 2011 to March 2014, Dr. Addiego was President and Chief Operating Officer of Ultra Clean Technology Corp., a public company listed on Nasdaq and a supplier of critical subsystems for the semiconductor capital equipment, medical device, energy, research, and flat panel industries. From February 2005 to March 2011, Dr. Addiego worked at Novellus Systems, Inc., a provider of advanced process equipment for the semiconductor industry, where he served as Executive Vice President of Corporate Global Operations responsible for Central Engineering, Facilities, Real Estate, Human Resources and Information Technology, and as Chief Administrative Officer.
(3)Mr. Durn, age 54, has been Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Applied since August 2017. Previously, Mr. Durn was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of NXP Semiconductors N.V., a semiconductor manufacturer (NXP), from December 2015 to August 2017. Mr. Durn served as Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., from June 2014 until its merger with NXP in December 2015. Prior to Freescale, Mr. Durn was Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration at GlobalFoundries, a semiconductor foundry, which he joined in December 2011.
(4)Ms. Little, age 56, joined Applied as Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary in June 2020. Prior to joining Applied, Ms. Little served as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at KLA Corporation from August 2017 to June 2020. Prior to that she was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of KLA Corporation from October 2015 until August 2017, and prior to that she held various other positions at KLA Corporation since 2002. Prior to joining KLA Corporation, she was a Senior Corporate Associate at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, and a Litigation Associate at Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe.
(5)Dr. Nalamasu, age 62, has been Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer since June 2013, and President of Applied Ventures, LLC, Applied’s venture capital arm, since November 2013. He had served as Group Vice President, Chief Technology Officer from January 2012 to June 2013, and as Corporate Vice President, Chief Technology Officer from January 2011 to January 2012. Upon joining Applied in June 2006 until January 2011, Dr. Nalamasu was an Appointed Vice President of Research and served as Deputy Chief Technology Officer and General Manager for the Advanced Technologies Group. From 2002 to 2006, Dr. Nalamasu was a NYSTAR distinguished professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he also served as Vice President of Research from 2005 to 2006. Prior to Rensselaer, Dr. Nalamasu served in several leadership roles at Bell Laboratories.
(6)Dr. Raja, age 58, has been Senior Vice President, Semiconductor Products Group of Applied since November 2017.  He previously served in various senior management, product development and operational roles since joining Applied in 1995, including Group Vice President and General Manager of the Patterning and Packaging Group.
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(7)Mr. Salehpour, age 59, has been Senior Vice President, Services, Display and Flexible Technology since September 2013. He previously served as Group Vice President, General Manager Energy and Environmental Solutions and Display Business Groups, since joining Applied in November 2012. Prior to Applied, Mr. Salehpour worked at KLA-Tencor for 16 years, where he served as a Senior Vice President and General Manager, and worked for 10 years in senior management positions at Schlumberger Test Systems.
(7)Dr. Raja, age 56, has been Senior Vice President, Semiconductor Products Group of Applied since November 2017.  He previously served in various senior management, product development and operational roles since joining Applied in 1995, including Group Vice President and General Manager of the Patterning and Packaging Group.
(8)Mr. Salehpour, age 57, has been Senior Vice President, Services, Display and Flexible Technology since September 2013. He previously served as Group Vice President, General Manager Energy and Environmental Solutions and Display Business Groups, since joining Applied in November 2012. Prior to Applied, Mr. Salehpour worked at KLA-Tencor for 16 years, where he served as a Senior Vice President and General Manager and worked for 10 years in senior management positions at Schlumberger Test Systems.
(9)Mr. Read, age 52, has been Corporate Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Applied since joining the Company in September 2013. Prior to Applied, Mr. Read worked at Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., a provider of semiconductor and software-based network solutions, since October 2002, where he most recently served as Vice President, Corporate Controller. Prior to Brocade, Mr. Read worked at KPMG LLP, an audit, tax and advisory firm, from 1996 to 2002.

(8)Mr. Read, age 54, has been Corporate Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Applied since joining the Company in September 2013. Prior to Applied, Mr. Read worked at Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., a provider of semiconductor and software-based network solutions, since October 2002, where he most recently served as Vice President, Corporate Controller. Prior to Brocade, Mr. Read worked at KPMG LLP, an audit, tax and advisory firm, from 1996 to 2002.

Available Information
Applied’s website is http://www.appliedmaterials.com. Applied makes available free of charge, on or through its website, its annual, quarterly and current reports, and any amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such reports with, or furnishing them to, the SEC. The SEC’s website, www.sec.gov, contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. These website addresses are intended to be an inactive textual references only. None of the information on, or accessible through, these websites is part of this Form 10-K or is incorporated by reference herein.



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Item 1A:Risk Factors
Item 1A:      Risk Factors
The following risk factors could materially and adversely affect Applied’s business, financial condition or results of operations and cause reputational harm, and should be carefully considered in evaluating the Company and its business, in addition to other information presented elsewhere in this report.
Risks Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic
The industriesongoing COVID-19 pandemic and global measures taken in response thereto have adversely impacted, and may continue to adversely impact, Applied’s operations and financial results.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken in response by governments and businesses worldwide to contain its spread, including quarantines, facility closures, travel and logistics restrictions, border controls, and shelter in place or stay at home and social distancing orders, have adversely impacted and are expected to continue to adversely impact Applied’s supply chain, manufacturing, logistics, workforce and operations, as well as the operations of Applied’s customers, suppliers and partners globally. There is considerable uncertainty regarding the duration, scope and severity of the pandemic and the impacts on our business and the global economy from the effects of the ongoing pandemic and response measures. While Applied continues to see progress in the recovery within its supply chain, travel and logistics restrictions, shelter-in-place orders and other measures, including working remotely, social distancing and other policies implemented in foreign and domestic sites to protect the health and safety of employees, have resulted in, and are expected to continue to result in, transportation disruptions (such as reduced availability of air transport, port closures, and increased border controls or closures), production delays and capacity limitations at Applied and some of its customers, suppliers and partners, as well as reduced workforce availability or productivity at Applied and customer sites, and additional data, information and cyber security risks associated with an extensive workforce now working remotely full-time. There can be no assurance that Applied serves canor its suppliers will be volatileable to maintain manufacturing operations at current levels. In addition, the pandemic and the impact of the foregoing measures in various forms and in varying degrees have had, and may continue to have a significant adverse impact on the global economic activity and could also result in a reduced demand for our products, delayed deliveries or installation, cancelled orders or increase in logistics and operating costs, and materially adversely affect Applied’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
The degree to which the pandemic ultimately impacts Applied’s financial condition and results of operations and the global economy will depend on future developments beyond our control, which are highly uncertain and difficult to predict.predict, including the severity and duration of the pandemic, the extent and effectiveness of containment actions, availability of effective vaccines against COVID-19, effectiveness of government stimulus programs, resurgence of COVID-19, how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating activity can resume, and the severity and duration of the global economic downturn that results from the pandemic.
AsRisks Associated with Operating a supplierGlobal Business
Applied is exposed to the risks of operating a global semiconductorbusiness.
Applied has product development, engineering, manufacturing, sales and displayother operations distributed throughout many countries, and related industries, Applied is subject to variable industry conditions, as demand for manufacturing equipment and services can change depending on several factors, including the nature and timingsome of technology inflections and advancesits business activities are concentrated in fabrication processes, the timing and requirementscertain geographic areas. Moreover, in fiscal 2020, approximately 90% of new and emerging technologies and market drivers, production capacity relative to demand for chips and display technologies, end-user demand, customers’ capacity utilization, production volumes, access to affordable capital, consumer buying patterns and general economic conditions. Applied’s industries historically have been cyclical, and are subject to volatility and sudden changes in customer requirements for new manufacturing capacity and advanced technology. These changes can affect the timing and amounts of customer investments in technology and manufacturing equipment, and can have a significant impact on Applied’s net sales operating expenses, gross margins and net income. The amount and mixwere to customers in regions outside the United States. As a result of capital equipment spending between different products and technologies can have a significant impact on the Company’s resultsglobal nature of operations.
To meet rapidly changing demand in the industries it serves, Applied must accurately forecast demand and effectively manage its resources and production capacity across its businesses, and may incur unexpected or additional costs to align its business operations. During periods of increasing demand for its products, Applied must have sufficient manufacturing capacity and inventory to meet customer demand; effectively manage its supply chain; attract, retain and motivate a sufficient number of qualified employees; and continue to control costs. During periods of decreasing demand, Applied must reduce costs and align its cost structure with prevailing market conditions; effectively manage its supply chain; and motivate and retain key employees. If Applied does not effectively manage these challenges during periods of changing demand, itsoperations, Applied’s business performance and results of operations may be adversely impacted. Evenaffected by a number of factors, including:
uncertain global economic and political business conditions and demands;
political and social attitudes, laws, rules, regulations and policies within countries that favor domestic companies over non-domestic companies, including customer- or government-supported efforts to promote the development and growth of local competitors;
direct and indirect global trade issues and changes in and uncertainties with respect to trade policies (including the impact of the implementation and interpretation of the rules published by the U.S. Department of Commerce on April 28, 2020 and August 17, 2020 relating to certain export license requirements and the ability to obtain required import and export licenses), trade sanctions, tariffs, and international trade disputes;
customer- or government-supported efforts to influence Applied to conduct more of its operations and sourcing in a particular country, such as Korea and China;
variations among, and changes in, local, regional, national or international laws and regulations, including contract, intellectual property, cybersecurity, data privacy, labor, tax, and import/export laws, and the interpretation and application of such laws and regulations;
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ineffective or inadequate legal protection of intellectual property rights in certain countries;
positions taken by governmental agencies regarding possible national commercial and/or security issues posed by international business operations;
fluctuating raw material, commodity, energy and shipping costs;
delays or restrictions in shipping materials or finished products between and within countries;
geographically diverse operations and projects, and our ability to maintain appropriate business processes, procedures and internal controls, and comply with environmental, health and safety, anti-corruption and other regulatory requirements;
supply chain interruptions, and service interruptions from utilities, transportation, data hosting or telecommunications providers, or other events beyond our control;
failure to effectively manage a diverse workforce with different experience levels, languages, cultures, customs, business practices and worker expectations, and differing employment practices and labor issues;
variations in the ability to develop relationships with local customers, suppliers and governments;
fluctuations in interest rates and currency exchange rates, including the relative strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar against the Japanese yen, Israeli shekel, euro, Taiwanese dollar, Singapore dollar, Chinese yuan or Korean won;
the need to provide sufficient levels of technical support in different locations around the world;
performance of third party providers of outsourced functions, including certain engineering, software development, manufacturing, information technology and other activities;
political instability, natural disasters, regional or global health epidemics, social unrest, terrorism or acts of war in locations where Applied has operations, suppliers or sales, or that may influence the value chain of the industries that Applied serves;
challenges in hiring and integration of an increasing number of workers in new countries;
the increasing need for a mobile workforce to work in or travel to different regions; and
uncertainties with respect to economic growth rates in various countries, including for the manufacture and sale of semiconductors and displays in the developing economies of certain countries.
As more fully discussed in the risk factor “The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and global measures taken in response thereto have adversely impacted, and may continue to adversely impact, Applied’s operations and financial results” above, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken in response by governments and businesses worldwide to contain its spread, including quarantines, facility closures, travel and logistics restrictions, border controls, and shelter in place or stay at home and social distancing orders, have adversely impacted and are expected to continue to adversely impact Applied’s supply chain, manufacturing, logistics, workforce and operations, as well as the operations of Applied’s customers, suppliers and partners globally.
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International trade disputes could result in increases in tariffs and other trade restrictions and protectionist measures that could adversely impact our operations and reduce the competitiveness of our products relative to local and global competitors.
We sell a significant majority of our products into countries outside of the United States including China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea. We also purchase a significant portion of equipment and supplies from suppliers outside of the United States. There is inherent risk, based on the complex relationships among China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and the United States, that political, diplomatic and national security influences might lead to trade disputes, impacts and/or disruptions, in particular, with respect to those affecting the semiconductor industry. The United States and other countries have imposed and may continue to impose trade restrictions, and have also levied tariffs and taxes on certain goods. Increases in tariffs, additional taxes or other trade restrictions and retaliatory measures may increasingly impact end-user demand and customer investment in manufacturing equipment, increase our manufacturing costs, decrease margins, reduce the competitiveness of our products, or inhibit our ability to sell products or purchase necessary equipment and supplies, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, or financial condition.
Certain international sales depend on our ability to obtain export licenses, and our inability to obtain such licenses have limited and could further limit our markets and impact our business. For example, on April 28, 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce published rules, which became effective allocationon June 29, 2020, that expanded export license requirements for U.S. companies that sell certain products to entities in China whose actions or functions are intended to support military end uses, and eliminated certain export license exceptions that applied to exports of resourcescertain items to China. On September 25, 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce designated a certain customer in China as a military end user. These trade restrictions and managementtheir interpretation by the U.S. Department of costs, during periodsCommerce require us to apply for additional export licenses for certain of decreasing demand, Applied’s gross margins and earningsour products sold to certain customers in China, including products sold to customers that the U.S. Department of Commerce has determined to present a risk of diversion to a military end use. Obtaining export licenses may be difficult, costly and time-consuming, and our inability to obtain such licenses could limit our markets in China and adversely impacted.affect our results of operations. The implementation and interpretation of these rules are ongoing and their impact on our business is uncertain, and these rules and other regulatory changes that have occurred and may occur in the future could materially and adversely affect our results of operations. Additionally, on August 17, 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce published a final rule that does not impose additional license requirements for the export of Applied’s products but could require certain of Applied’s customers to obtain licenses for the export of wafers, chipsets and certain related items to Huawei or its affiliates that are the direct product of US-origin semiconductor manufacturing equipment and thus could potentially limit the demand for certain of Applied’s products from such customers.
In addition, government authorities may impose conditions that require the use of local suppliers or partnerships with local companies, require the license or other transfer of intellectual property, or engage in other efforts to promote local businesses and local competitors, which could have a significant adverse impact on Applied’s business. Many of these challenges are present in China and Korea, markets that represent a significant portion of Applied’s current business as well as long-term growth opportunities.
Applied is exposed to risks associated with an uncertain global economy.
Uncertain global economic and business conditions, along with uncertainties and volatility in the financial markets, national debt and fiscal concerns in various regions, pose challenges to the industries in which Applied operates. Markets for semiconductors and displays depend largely on business and consumer spending and demand for electronic products. Economic uncertainty and related factors exacerbate negative trends in business and consumer spending and may cause certain Applied customers to push out, cancel, or refrain from purchasing for equipment or services, which may have an adverse impact on Applied’s revenues, results of operations and financial condition. Uncertain market conditions, difficulties in obtaining capital, or reduced profitability may also cause some customers to scale back operations, exit businesses, merge with other manufacturers, or file for bankruptcy protection and potentially cease operations, which can also result in lower sales, additional inventory or bad debt expense for Applied. Economic and industry uncertainty may similarly affect suppliers, which could impair their ability to deliver parts and negatively affect Applied’s ability to manage operations and deliver its products. These conditions may also lead to consolidation or strategic alliances among other equipment manufacturers, which could adversely affect Applied’s ability to compete effectively.
In particular, impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in increased volatility in global financial markets, increases in levels of unemployment, and economic uncertainty, and may lead to significant negative impacts on customer spending, demand for our products, the ability of our customers to pay, our financial condition and the financial condition of our suppliers.
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Uncertain economic and industry conditions also make it more challenging for Applied to forecast its operating results, make business decisions, and identify and prioritize the risks that may affect its businesses, sources and uses of cash, financial condition and results of operations. If Applied does not appropriately manage its business operations in response to changing economic and industry conditions, it could have a significant negative impact on its business performance and financial condition. Applied may be required to implement additional cost reduction efforts, including restructuring activities, which may adversely affect Applied’s ability to capitalize on opportunities. Even during periods of economic uncertainty or lower revenues, Applied must continue to invest in research and development and maintain a global business infrastructure to compete effectively and support its customers, which can have a negative impact on its operating margins and earnings.
Applied maintains an investment portfolio that is subject to general credit, liquidity, market and interest rate risks. The risks to Applied’s investment portfolio may be exacerbated if financial market conditions deteriorate (including from impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic) and, as a result, the value and liquidity of the investment portfolio, as well as returns on pension assets, could be negatively impacted and lead to impairment charges. Applied also maintains cash balances in various bank accounts globally in order to fund normal operations. If any of these financial institutions becomes insolvent, it could limit Applied’s ability to access cash in the affected accounts, which could affect its ability to manage its operations.

Risks Associated with Applied’s Industry

The industries that Applied serves can be volatile and difficult to predict.
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As a supplier to the global semiconductor and display and related industries, Applied is exposedsubject to variable industry conditions, since demand for manufacturing equipment and services can change depending on several factors, including the risksnature and timing of operatingtechnology inflections and advances in fabrication processes, the timing and requirements of new and emerging technologies and market drivers, production capacity relative to demand for chips and display technologies, end-user demand, customers’ capacity utilization, production volumes, access to affordable capital, consumer buying patterns and general economic conditions. Applied’s industries historically have been cyclical, and are subject to volatility and sudden changes in customer requirements for new manufacturing capacity and advanced technology. These changes can affect the timing and amounts of customer investments in technology and manufacturing equipment and can have a global business.
Applied has product development, engineering, manufacturing, sales and other operations distributed throughout many countries, and some of its business activities are concentrated in certain geographic areas. Moreover, in fiscal 2018, approximately 91 percent ofsignificant impact on Applied’s net sales, wereoperating expenses, gross margins and net income. The amount and mix of capital equipment spending between different products and technologies can have a significant impact on Applied’s results of operations.
To meet rapidly changing demand in the industries it serves, Applied must accurately forecast demand and effectively manage its resources and production capacity across its businesses, and may incur unexpected or additional costs to customers in regions outside the United States. Asalign its business operations. During periods of increasing demand for its products, Applied must have sufficient manufacturing capacity and inventory to meet customer demand; effectively manage its supply chain; attract, retain and motivate a sufficient number of qualified employees; and continue to control costs. During periods of decreasing demand, Applied must reduce costs and align its cost structure with prevailing market conditions; effectively manage its supply chain; and motivate and retain key employees. If Applied does not effectively manage these challenges during periods of changing demand, including as a result of the global nature ofongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its operations, Applied’seffects, its business performance and results of operations may be adversely affected byimpacted. Even with effective allocation of resources and management of costs, during periods of decreasing demand, Applied’s gross margins and earnings may be adversely impacted.
Applied is exposed to risks associated with a highly concentrated customer base.
Applied’s customer base is highly concentrated, and has become increasingly so as a result of continued consolidation. Applied’s customer base is also geographically concentrated, particularly in China, Taiwan and Korea. A relatively limited number of factors, including:
uncertain global economicmanufacturers account for a substantial portion of Applied’s business. As a result, the actions of even a single customer can expose Applied’s business and political business conditionsresults of operations to greater volatility. The mix and demands;
politicaltype of customers, and social attitudes, laws, rules, regulations and policies within countries that favor domestic companies over non-domestic companies,sales to any single customer, including customer- or government-supported efforts to promote the development and growthas a result of local competitors;
global trade issues and changes in government policy, have varied and uncertainties with respectmay vary significantly from quarter to trade policies, including the abilityquarter and from year to obtain required importyear, and export licenses, trade sanctions, tariffs,have a significant impact on Applied’s net sales, gross margins and international trade disputes;
customer-net income. Applied’s products are configured to customer specifications, and changing, rescheduling or government-supported efforts to influence Applied to conduct more of its operations and sourcingcanceling orders may result in significant, non-recoverable costs. If customers do not place orders, or they substantially reduce, delay or cancel orders (including as a particular country, such as Korea and China;
variations among, and changes in, local, regional, national or international laws and regulations, including contract, intellectual property, cybersecurity, data privacy, labor, tax, and import/export laws, and the interpretation and application of such laws and regulations;
ineffective or inadequate legal protection of intellectual property rights in certain countries;
positions taken by governmental agencies regarding possible national commercial and/or security issues posed by international business operations;
fluctuating raw material, commodity, energy and shipping costs;
delays or restrictions in shipping materials or finished products between countries;
geographically diverse operations and projects, and our ability to maintain appropriate business processes, procedures and internal controls, and comply with environmental, health and safety, anti-corruption and other regulatory requirements;
supply chain interruptions, and service interruptions from utilities, transportation, data hosting or telecommunications providers, or other events beyond our control;
a diverse workforce with different experience levels, languages, cultures, customs, business practices and worker expectations, and differing employment practices and labor issues;
variations in the ability to develop relationships with local customers, suppliers and governments;
fluctuations in interest rates and currency exchange rates, including the relative strength or weaknessresult of the U.S. dollar againstongoing COVID-19 pandemic), Applied may not be able to replace the Japanese yen, euro, Taiwanese dollar, Israeli shekel, Chinese yuan or Singapore dollar;
the need to provide sufficient levels of technical support in different locations around the world;
performance of third party providers of outsourced functions, including certain engineering, software development, manufacturing, information technology and other activities;
political instability, natural disasters, pandemics, social unrest, terrorism or acts of war in locations where Applied has operations, suppliers or sales, or thatbusiness, which may influence the value chain of the industries that Applied serves;
challenges in hiring and integration of an increasing number of workers in new countries;
the increasing need forhave a mobile workforce to work in or travel to different regions; and
uncertainties with respect to economic growth rates in various countries, including for the manufacture and sale of semiconductors and displays in the developing economies of certain countries.
International trade disputes could result in increases in tariffs and other trade restrictions and protectionist measures that could have ansignificant adverse impact on our operations.
We sellits results of operations and financial condition. The concentration of Applied’s customer base increases its risks related to the financial condition of its customers, and the deterioration in financial condition of a significant majoritysingle customer or the failure of our products into countries outside of the United States and we purchase a significant portion of equipment and supplies from suppliers outside of the United States. The United States and other countries have levied tariffs and taxes on certain goods. Increases in tariffs, additional taxes or other trade restrictions and retaliatory measures may impact end-user demand andsingle customer investment in manufacturing equipment, increase our manufacturing costs, decrease margins, reduce the competitiveness of our products, or inhibit our ability to sell products or purchase necessary equipment and supplies, whichperform its obligations could have a material adverse effect on our business,Applied’s results of operations and cash flow. To the extent its customers experience liquidity constraints, Applied may incur additional bad debt expense, which may have a significant impact on its results of operations. Major customers may also seek pricing, payment, intellectual property-related, or financial condition.

other commercial terms that are less favorable to Applied, which may have a negative impact on Applied’s business, cash flow, revenue and gross margins.
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Certain international sales depend on our ability to obtain export licenses, and our inability to obtain such licenses could potentially limit our markets and impact our business. In addition, government authorities may impose conditions that require the use of local suppliers or partnerships with local companies, require the license or other transfer of intellectual property, or engage in other efforts to promote local businesses and local competitors, which could have a significant adverse impact on Applied’s business. Many of these challenges are present in China and Korea, markets that represent significant long-term growth opportunities for Applied businesses.
Applied is exposed to risks as a result of ongoing changes in the various industries in which it operates.
The global semiconductor, display and related industries in which Applied operates are characterized by ongoing changes affecting some or all of these industries that impact demand for and the profitability of Applied’s products and its consolidated results of operations, including:
the nature, timing and degree of visibility of changes in end demand for electronic products, including those related to fluctuations in consumer buying patterns tied to seasonality or the introduction of new products, and the effects of these changes on customers’ businesses and on demand for Applied’s products;
increasing capital requirements for building and operating new fabrication plants and customers’ ability to raise the necessary capital;
trade, regulatory or tax policies impacting the timing of customers’ investment in new or expanded fabrication plants;
differences in growth rates among the semiconductor, display and other industries in which Applied operates;
the increasing importance of establishing, improving and maintaining strong relationships with customers;
the increasing cost and complexity for customers to move from product design to volume manufacturing, which may slow the adoption rate of new manufacturing technology;
the need for customers to continually reduce the total cost of manufacturing system ownership;
the heightened importance to customers of system reliability and productivity and the effect on demand for fabrication systems as a result of their increasing productivity, device yield and reliability;
manufacturers’ ability to reconfigure and re-use fabrication systems which can reduce demand for new equipment;
the increasing importance of, and difficulties in, developing products with sufficient differentiation to influence customers’ purchasing decisions;
requirements for shorter cycle times for the development, manufacture and installation of manufacturing equipment;
price and performance trends for semiconductor devices and displays, and the corresponding effect on demand for such products;
the increasing importance of the availability of spare parts to maximize the time that customers’ systems are available for production;
the increasing role for and complexity of software in Applied products; and
the increasing focus on reducing energy usage and improving the environmental impact and sustainability associated with manufacturing operations.
Applied is exposed to risks as a result of ongoing changes specific to the semiconductor industry.
The largest proportion of Applied’s consolidated net sales and profitability is derived from sales of manufacturing equipment in the Semiconductor Systems segment to the global semiconductor industry. In addition, a majority of the revenues of Applied Global Services is from sales to semiconductor manufacturers. The semiconductor industry is characterized by ongoing changes particular to this industry that impact demand for and the profitability of Applied’s semiconductor manufacturing equipment and service products, including:
the increasing frequency and complexity of technology transitions and inflections, and Applied’s ability to timely and effectively anticipate and adapt to these changes;
the increasing cost of research and development due to many factors, including shrinking geometries, the use of new materials, new and more complex device structures, more applications and process steps, increasing chip design costs, and the increasing cost and complexity of integrated manufacturing processes;
the need to reduce product development time, despite the increasing difficulty of technical challenges;
the growing number of types and varieties of semiconductors and number of applications across multiple substrate sizes;

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the increasing cost and complexity for semiconductor manufacturers to move more technically advanced capability and smaller geometries to volume manufacturing, and the resulting impact on the rates of technology transition and investment in capital equipment;
challenges in generating organic growth given semiconductor manufacturers’ levels of capital expenditures and the allocation of capital investment to market segments that Applied does not serve, such as lithography, or segments where Applied’s products have lower relative market presence;
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the importance of increasing market positions in segments with growing demand;
semiconductor manufacturer’s ability to reconfigure and re-use equipment, and the resulting effect on their need to purchase new equipment and services;
shorter cycle times between order placements by customers and product shipment require greater reliance on forecasting of customer investment, which may lead to inventory write-offs and manufacturing inefficiencies that decrease gross margin;
competitive factors that make it difficult to enhance position, including challenges in securing development-tool-of-record (DTOR) and production-tool-of-record (PTOR) positions with customers;
consolidation in the semiconductor industry, including among semiconductor manufacturers and among manufacturing equipment suppliers;
shifts in sourcing strategies by computer and electronics companies, and manufacturing processes for advanced circuit technologies, that impact the equipment requirements of Applied’s foundry customers;
the concentration of new wafer starts in Korea and Taiwan, where Applied’s service penetration and service-revenue-per-wafer-start have been lower than in other regions;
investment in semiconductor manufacturing capabilities in China, which may be affected by changes in economic conditions and governmental policies in China;China and the United States;
the increasing fragmentation of semiconductor markets, leading certain markets to become too small to support the cost of a new fabrication plant, while others require less technologically advanced products.products; and
the growing importance of specialty markets (such as Internet of Things, communications, automotive, power and sensors) that use mature process technologies and have a low barrier to entry.
If Applied does not accurately forecast and allocate appropriate resources and investment towards addressing, key technology changes and inflections, successfully develop and commercialize products to meet demand for new technologies, and effectively address industry trends, its business and results of operations may be adversely impacted.
Applied is exposed to risks as a result of ongoing changes specific to the display industry.
The global display industry historically 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, and panel manufacturer profitability. Industry growth depends primarily on consumer demand for increasingly larger and more advanced TVs, and on demand for advanced smartphones and mobile device displays, which demand is highly sensitive to cost and improvements in technologies and features. The display industry is characterized by ongoing changes particular to this industry that impact demand for and the profitability of Applied’s display products and services, including:
the importance of new types of display technologies, such as organic light-emitting diode (OLED), low temperature polysilicon (LTPS), flexible displays and metal oxide transistor backplanes, flexible displays, and new touch panel films;
the increasing cost of research and development, and complexity of technology transitions and inflections, and Applied’s ability to timely and effectively anticipate and adapt to these changes;
the timing and extent of an expansion of manufacturing facilities in China, which may be affected by changes in local economic conditions and governmental policies in China;China, Korea, Japan and the United States;
the importance of increasing market positions in products and technologies with growing demand;
the rate of transition to larger substrate sizes for TVs and to new display technologies for TVs and mobile applications, and the resulting effect on capital intensity in the industry and on Applied’s product differentiation, gross margin and return on investment; and
the variabilityfluctuations in demandcustomer spending quarter over quarter and year over year for display manufacturing equipment, concentration of display manufacturer customers and their ability to successfully commercialize new products and technologies, and uncertainty with respect to future display technology end-use applications and growth drivers.
If Applied does not successfully develop and commercialize products to meet demand for new and emerging display technologies, or if industry demand for display manufacturing equipment and technologies slows, Applied’s business and its results of operations may be adversely impacted.

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The industries in which Applied operates are highly competitive and subject to rapid technological and market changes.
Applied operates in a highly competitive environment in which innovation is critical, and its future success depends on many factors, including the development of new technologies and effective commercialization and customer acceptance of its equipment, services and related products, and its ability to increase its position in its current markets, expand into adjacent and new markets, and optimize operational performance. The development, introduction and support of a broadening set of products in a geographically diverse and competitive environment, and that may require greater collaboration with customers and other industry participants, have grown more complex and expensive over time. Furthermore, new or improved products may entail higher costs, longer development cycles, lower profits and lower profits.may have unforeseen product design or manufacturing defects. To compete successfully, Applied must:
identify and address technology inflections, market changes, competitor innovations, new applications, customer requirements and end-use demand;demand in a timely and effective manner;
develop new products and disruptive technologies, improve and develop new applications for existing products, and adapt products for use by customers in different applications and markets with varying technical requirements;
differentiate its products from those of competitors, meet customers’ performance specifications, appropriately price products, and achieve market acceptance;
maintain operating flexibility to enable responses to changing markets, applications, customers and customer requirements;
enhance its worldwide operations across its businesses to reduce cycle time, enable continuous quality improvement, reduce costs, and enhance design for manufacturability and serviceability;
focus on product development and sales and marketing strategies that address customers’ high value problems and strengthen customer relationships;
effectively allocate resources between its existing products and markets, the development of new products, and expanding into new and adjacent markets;
improve the productivity of capital invested in R&D activities;
accurately forecast demand, work with suppliers and meet production schedules for its products;
improve its manufacturing processes and achieve cost efficiencies across product offerings;
adapt to changes in value offered by companies in different parts of the supply chain;
qualify products for evaluation and volume manufacturing with its customers; and
implement changes in its design engineering methodology to reduce material costs and cycle time, increase commonality of platforms and types of parts used in different systems, and improve product life cycle management.
If Applied does not successfully anticipate technology inflections, develop and commercialize new products and technologies, and respond to changes in customer requirements and market trends, its business performance and results of operations may be adversely impacted.
Applied is exposedRisks Related to risks associated with a highly concentrated customer base.
Applied’s customer base is highly concentrated,Business, Finance and has become increasingly concentrated as a result of continued consolidation. Applied’s customer base is also geographically concentrated. A relatively limited number of manufacturers account for a substantial portion of Applied’s business. As a result, the actions of even a single customer can expose Applied’s business and results of operations to greater volatility. The mix and type of customers, and sales to any single customer, including as a result of changes in government policy, may vary significantly from quarter to quarter and from year to year, and have a significant impact on Applied’s net sales, gross margins and net income. Applied’s products are configured to customer specifications, and changing, rescheduling or canceling orders may result in significant, non-recoverable costs. If customers do not place orders, or they substantially reduce, delay or cancel orders, Applied may not be able to replace the business, which may have a significant adverse impact on its results of operations and financial condition. The concentration of Applied’s customer base increases its risks related to the financial condition of its customers, and the deterioration in financial condition of a single customer or the failure of a single customer to perform its obligations could have a material adverse effect on Applied’s results of operations and cash flow. To the extent its customers experience liquidity constraints, Applied may incur additional bad debt expense, which may have a significant impact on its results of operations. Major customers may also seek pricing, payment, intellectual property-related, or other commercial terms that are less favorable to Applied, which may have a negative impact on Applied’s business, cash flow, revenue and gross margins.

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Operations
Applied is exposed to risks associated with business combinations, acquisitions, strategic investments and strategic investments.divestitures.
Applied engages in acquisitions of or investments in companies, technologies or products in existing, related or new markets for Applied. Business combinations, acquisitions and investments, such as the proposed acquisition of Kokusai Electric, involve numerous risks to Applied’s business, financial condition and operating results, including but not limited to:
diversion of management’s attention and disruption of ongoing businesses;
contractual restrictions on the conduct of Applied’s business during the pendency of a proposed transaction;
inability to complete proposed transactions timely or at all due to the failure to obtain regulatory or other approvals, litigation or other disputes, and any ensuing obligation to pay a termination fee;fee (which, in the case of the stock purchase agreement related to the proposed acquisition of Kokusai Electric, Applied will be obligated to pay in the amount of $154 million if such agreement is terminated under certain circumstances involving the failure to obtain required regulatory approvals);
diversion of management’s attention and disruption of ongoing businesses;
the failure to realize expected revenues, gross and operating margins, net income and other returns from acquired businesses;
requirements imposed by government regulators in connection with their review of a transaction, which may include, among other things, divestitures and restrictions on the conduct of Applied’s existing business or the acquired business;
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following completion of acquisitions, ineffective integration of businesses, operations, systems, digital and physical security, technologies, products, employees, compliance programs, changes in laws or employees, which canregulations, including tax laws, or other factors, may impact the ability to realize anticipated synergies or other benefits;
failure to commercialize technologies from acquired businesses or developed through strategic investments;
dependence on unfamiliar supply chains or relatively small supply partners;
inability to capitalize on characteristics of new markets that may be significantly different from Applied’s existing markets and where competitors may have stronger market positions and customer relationships;
failure to retain and motivate key employees of acquired businesses;
the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of a proposed transaction on relationships with third parties;
potential changes in Applied’s credit rating, which could adversely impact the Company’s access to and cost of capital;
reductions in cash balances or increases in debt obligations to finance activities associated with a transaction, which increase interest expense, and reductions in cash balances, which reduce the availability of cash flow for general corporate or other purposes, including share repurchases and dividends;
exposure to new operational risks, rules, regulations, worker expectations, customs and practices to the extent acquired businesses are located in regions where Applied has not historically conducted business;
challenges associated with managing new, more diverse and more widespread operations, projects and people;
inability to obtain and protect intellectual property rights in key technologies;
inadequacy or ineffectiveness of an acquired company’s internal financial controls, disclosure controls and procedures, cybersecurity, privacy policies and procedures,compliance programs, or environmental, health and safety, anti-corruption, human resource, or other policies or practices;
impairment of acquired intangible assets and goodwill as a result of changing business conditions, technological advancements or worse-than-expected performance of the segment;
the risk of litigation or claims associated with a proposed or completed transaction;
unknown, underestimated, undisclosed or undisclosedundetected commitments or liabilities;liabilities or non-compliance with laws, regulations or policies; and
the inappropriate scale of acquired entities’ critical resources or facilities for business needs.
Applied also makes strategic investments in other companies, including companies formed as joint ventures, which may decline in value or not meet desired objectives. The success of these investments depends on various factors over which Applied may have limited or no control and, particularly with respect to joint ventures, requires ongoing and effective cooperation with strategic partners. In addition, new legislation, or additional regulations or global economic or political conditions may affect or impair our ability to invest in certain countries or require us to obtain regulatory approvals to do so. The risks to Applied’s strategic investment portfolio may be exacerbated by unfavorable financial market and macroeconomic conditions and, as a result, the value of the investment portfolio could be negatively impacted and lead to impairment charges.

Applied continually assesses the strategic fit of its businesses and may from time to time seek to divest portions of its business that are not deemed to fit with its strategic plan. Divestitures involve significant risks and uncertainties, such as ability to sell such businesses on satisfactory price and terms and in a timely manner (including long and costly sales processes and the possibility of lengthy and potentially unsuccessful attempts by a buyer to receive required regulatory approvals), or at all, disruption to other parts of the businesses and distraction of management, allocation of internal resources that would otherwise be devoted to completing strategic acquisitions, loss of key employees or customers, exposure to unanticipated liabilities (including, among other things, those arising from representations and warranties made to a buyer regarding the businesses) or ongoing obligations to support the businesses following such divestitures, and other adverse financial impacts.
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Applied’s indebtedness and debt covenants could adversely affect its financial condition and business.
Applied has $5.4$5.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes outstanding. Under the indenture governing the senior unsecured notes, it may be required to offer to repurchase the notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, upon a change of control of Applied and a contemporaneous downgrade of the notes below investment grade. Applied also has in place a $1.5 billion committed revolving credit agreement.facility, and a $2.0 billion term loan facility to finance in part its planned acquisition of Kokusai Electric. While no amounts were outstanding under thiseither credit agreement atas of October 28, 2018,25, 2020, Applied may borrow amounts in the future under the agreement.either or both of these agreements. Applied may also enter into new financing arrangements. Applied’s ability to satisfy its debt obligations is dependent upon the results of its business operations and subject to other risks discussed in this section. Significant changes in Applied’s credit rating, disruptions in the global financial markets or changes in the interest rate environment could have a material adverse consequence on Applied’s access to and cost of capital for future financings, and financial condition. If Applied fails to satisfy its debt obligations, or comply with financial and other debt covenants, it may be in default and any borrowings may become immediately due and payable, and such default may also constitute a default under other of Applied’s obligations. There can be no assurance that Applied would have sufficient financial resources or be able to arrange financing to repay any borrowings at such time.
Applied is exposed to risks associated with expanding into new and related markets and industries.
As part of its growth strategy, Applied must successfully expand into related or new markets and industries, either with its existing products or with new products developed internally, or those developed in collaboration with third parties, or obtained through acquisitions. Applied’s ability to successfully expand its business into new and related markets and industries may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including:
the need to devote additional resources to develop new products for, and operate in, new markets;
the need to develop new sales and technical marketing strategies, cultivate relationships with new customers and meet different customer service requirements;
differing rates of profitability and growth among multiple businesses;
Applied’s ability to anticipate demand, capitalize on opportunities, and avoid or minimize risks;
the complexity of managing multiple businesses with variations in production planning, execution, supply chain management and logistics;
the adoption of new business models, business processes and systems;
the complexity of entering into and effectively managing strategic alliances or partnering opportunities;
new materials, processes and technologies;
the need to attract, motivate and retain employees with skills and expertise in these new areas;
new and more diverse customers and suppliers, including some with limited operating histories, uncertain or limited funding, evolving business models or locations in regions where Applied does not have, or has limited, operations;
new or different competitors with potentially more financial or other resources, industry experience and established customer relationships;
entry into new industries and countries, with differing levels of government involvement, laws and regulations, and business, employment and safety practices;
third parties’ intellectual property rights; and
the need to comply with, or work to establish, industry standards and practices.
In addition, Applied from time to time receives funding from United States and other government agencies for certain strategic development programs to increase its research and development resources and address new market opportunities. As a condition to this government funding, Applied may beis often subject to certain record-keeping, audit, intellectual property rights-sharing and/or other obligations.

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ManufacturingSupply chain disruptions, manufacturing interruptions or delays, or the failure to accurately forecast customer demand, could affect Applied’s ability to meet customer demand, lead to higher costs, or result in excess or obsolete inventory.
Applied’s business depends on its timely supply of equipment, services and related products that meet the rapidly changing technical and volume requirements of its customers, which depends in part on the timely delivery of parts, including components and subassemblies, from suppliers, including contract manufacturers. The inability to timely obtain sufficient quantities of parts can have an adverse impact on Applied’s manufacturing operations and ability to meet customer demand for equipment, spares and services. Some key parts are subject to long lead-times or obtainable only from a single supplier or limited group of suppliers, and some sourcing or subassembly is provided by suppliers located in countries other than the countries where Applied conducts its manufacturing. Variable industry conditions and the volatility of demand for manufacturing equipment increase capital, technical, operational and other risks for Applied and for companies throughout its supply chain. These conditions may cause some suppliers to scale back operations, exit businesses, merge with other companies, or file for bankruptcy protection and possibly cease operations. Applied may also experience significant interruptions of its manufacturing operations, delays in its ability to deliver or install products or services, increased costs or customer order cancellations as a result of:
the failure or inability to accurately forecast demand and obtain sufficient quantities of quality parts on a cost-effective basis;
volatility in the availability and cost of materials;
difficulties or delays in obtaining required import or export approvals;
shipment delays due to transportation interruptions or capacity constraints;
information technology or infrastructure failures, including those of a third party supplier or service provider; and
natural disasters or other events beyond Applied’s control (such as earthquakes, utility interruptions, tsunamis, hurricanes, typhoons, floods, storms or storms,extreme weather conditions, fires, regional economic downturns, pandemics,regional or global health epidemics, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical turmoil, increased trade restrictions between the U.S. and China and other countries, social unrest, political instability, terrorism, or acts of war), particularly in locations where it conducts manufacturing.or its customers or suppliers have manufacturing, research, engineering or other operations.
As more fully discussed in the risk factor “The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and global measures taken in response thereto have adversely impacted, and may continue to adversely impact, Applied’s operations and financial results” above, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken in response by governments and businesses worldwide to contain its spread, including quarantines, facility closures, travel and logistics restrictions, border controls, and shelter in place or stay at home and social distancing orders, have adversely impacted and are expected to continue to adversely impact Applied’s supply chain, manufacturing, logistics, workforce and operations, as well as the operations of Applied’s customers, suppliers and partners globally.
If a supplier fails to meet Applied’s requirements concerning quality, cost, protection of intellectual property, socially-responsible business practices, or other performance factors, Applied may transfer its business to alternative sources, which could entail manufacturing delays, additional costs or other difficulties.difficulties, and may also result in a loss of Applied’s ability to protect, enforce and extract the full value of its or its customers’ and other third parties’ intellectual property rights, which could have an adverse impact on its business and competitive position and subject Applied to legal proceedings and claims. If Applied is unable to meet its customers’ demand for a prolonged period due to its inability to obtain certain parts or components, it could affect its ability to manage its operations, and have an adverse impact on Applied’s business, results of operations and customer relationships. In addition, if Applied needs to rapidly increase its business and manufacturing capacity to meet increases in demand or expedited shipment schedules, this may exacerbate any interruptions in Applied’s manufacturing operations and supply chain and the associated effect on Applied’s working capital. Moreover, if actual demand for Applied’s products is different than expected, Applied may purchase more/fewer parts than necessary or incur costs for canceling, postponing or expediting delivery of parts. If Applied purchases inventory in anticipation of customer demand that does not materialize or rendered obsolete by the rapid pace of technological change, or if customers reduce or delay orders, Applied may incur excess or obsolete inventory charges.
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The ability to attract, retain and motivate key employees is vital to Applied’s success.
Applied’s success, competitiveness and ability to execute on its global strategies and maintain a culture of innovation depend in large part on its ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified employees and leaders with key skillsexpertise and experience.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 changes, Applied’s organizational structure, increasing global competition for talent, the availability of qualified employees in the local and global markets, cost reduction activities (including workforce reductions and unpaid shutdowns), availability of career development opportunities, the ability to obtain necessary authorizations for workers to provide services outside their home countries, and the attractiveness of Applied’s compensation and benefit programs, including its share-based programs. If we are unable to attract, retain and motivate qualified employees and leaders, we may be unable to fully capitalize on current and new market opportunities, which could adversely impact Applied’s business and results of operations. The loss or retirement of employees presentpresents particular challenges to the extent they involve the departure of knowledgeable and experienced employees and the resulting need to identify and train existing or new workers to perform necessary functions, which may result in unexpected costs, reduced productivity, and/or difficulties with respect to internal processes and controls.

The failure to successfully implement enterprise resource planning and other information systems changes could adversely impact Applied’s business and results of operations.
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TableApplied periodically implements new or enhanced enterprise resource planning and related information systems in order to better manage its business operations, align its global organizations and enable future growth. Implementation of Contentsnew business processes and information systems requires the commitment of significant personnel, training and financial resources, and entails risks to Applied’s business operations. If Applied does not successfully implement enterprise resource planning and related information systems improvements, or if there are delays or difficulties in implementing these systems, Applied may not realize anticipated productivity improvements or cost efficiencies, and may experience interruptions in service and operational difficulties, such as its ability to track orders, timely manufacture and ship products, project inventory requirements, effectively manage its supply chain and allocate human resources, aggregate financial data and report operating results, and otherwise effectively manage its business, all of which could result in quality issues, reputational harm, lost market and revenue opportunities, and otherwise adversely affect Applied’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

Applied may incur impairment charges related to goodwill or long-lived assets.

Applied has 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 that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. The review compares the fair value for each of Applied’s reporting units to its associated carrying value, including goodwill. Factors that could lead to impairment of goodwill and intangible assets include adverse industry or economic trends, reduced estimates of future cash flows, declines in the market price of Applied common stock, changes in Applied’s strategies or product portfolio, and restructuring activities. Applied’s valuation methodology for assessing impairment requires management to make judgments and assumptions based on historical experience and projections of future operating performance. Applied may be required to record future charges to earnings during the period in which an impairment of goodwill or intangible assets is determined to exist.
Risks Related to Intellectual Property and Cybersecurity
Applied is exposed to various risks related to protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights.
Applied’s success depends in significant part on the protection of its patents, trade secrets, copyrights and other intellectual property rights. Infringement of Applied’s rights by a third party, such as the unauthorized manufacture or sale of equipment or spare parts, could result in uncompensated lost market and revenue opportunities for Applied. Policing any unauthorized use of intellectual property is difficult and costly and Applied cannot be certain that the measures it has implemented will prevent misuse. Applied’s ability to enforce its intellectual property rights is subject to litigation risks, as well as uncertainty as to the protection and enforceability of those rights in some countries. If Applied seeks to enforce its intellectual property rights, it may be subject to claims that those rights are invalid or unenforceable, and others may seek counterclaims against Applied, which could have a negative impact on its business. If Applied is unable to enforce and protect intellectual property rights, or if they are circumvented, invalidated, rendered obsolete by the rapid pace of technological change, it could have an adverse impact on its competitive position and business. In addition, changes in intellectual property laws or their interpretation such as recent changes in U.S. patent laws, may impact Applied’s ability to protect and assert its intellectual property rights, increase costs and uncertainties in the prosecution of patent applications and enforcement or defense of issued patents, and diminish the value of Applied’s intellectual property.
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Third parties may also assert claims against Applied and its products. Claims that Applied’s 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. The inability to obtain rights to use third party intellectual property on commercially reasonable terms could have an adverse impact on Applied’s business. In addition, Applied may face claims based on the theft or unauthorized use or disclosure of third-party trade secrets and other confidential business information. Any such incidents and claims could severely harm Applied’s business and reputation, result in significant expenses, harm its competitive position, and prevent Applied from selling certain products, all of which could have a significant adverse impact on Applied’s business and results of operations.
Applied is exposed to risks related to cybersecurity threats and incidents.
In the conduct of its business, Applied collects, uses, transmits and stores data on information technology systems, including systems owned and maintained by Applied or third party providers. These data include confidential information and intellectual property belonging to Applied or its customers or other business partners, as well as personally-identifiable information of individuals. All information systems are subject to disruption, breach or failure. Applied has experienced, and expects to continue to be subject to, cybersecurity threats and incidents ranging from employee error or misuse to individual attempts to gain unauthorized access to these information systems, to sophisticated and targeted measures known as advanced persistent threats, none of which have been material to the Company to date. Applied devotes significant resources to network security, data encryption and other measures to protect its systems and data from unauthorized access or misuse. However, depending on their nature and scope, cybersecurity incidents could result in business disruption; the misappropriation of intellectual property, and corruption or loss of confidential information and critical data (Applied’s and that of third parties); reputational damage; litigation with third parties; diminution in the value of Applied’s investment in research, development and engineering; data privacy issues; and increased cybersecurity protection and remediation costs. Compliance with, and changes to, laws and regulations concerning privacy and information security could result in significant expense, and any failure to comply could result in proceedings against Applied by regulatory authorities or other third parties.

Applied is exposedRisks Related to various risks related to legal proceedings.
Applied from time to time is,Legal and in the future may be involved in legal proceedings or claims regarding patent infringement, intellectual property rights, antitrust, environmental regulations, securities, contracts, product performance, product liability, unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, employment, workplace safety, and other matters. Applied also on occasion receives notification from customers who believe that Applied owes them indemnification or other obligations related to claims made against such customers by third parties.
Legal proceedings and claims, whether with or without merit, and associated internal investigations, may be time-consuming and expensive to prosecute, defend or conduct; divert management’s attention and other Applied resources; inhibit Applied’s ability to sell its products; result in adverse judgments for damages, injunctive relief, penalties and fines; and negatively affect Applied’s business. There can be no assurance regarding the outcome of current or future legal proceedings, claims or investigations.

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The failure to successfully implement enterprise resource planning and other information systems changes could adversely impact Applied’s business and results of operations.
Applied periodically implements new or enhanced enterprise resource planning and related information systems in order to better manage its business operations, align its global organizations and enable future growth. Implementation of new business processes and information systems requires the commitment of significant personnel, training and financial resources, and entails risks to Applied’s business operations. If Applied does not successfully implement enterprise resource planning and related information systems improvements, or if there are delays or difficulties in implementing these systems, Applied may not realize anticipated productivity improvements or cost efficiencies, and may experience interruptions in service and operational difficulties, such as its ability to track orders, timely manufacture and ship products, project inventory requirements, effectively manage its supply chain and allocate human resources, aggregate financial data and report operating results, and otherwise effectively manage its business, all of which could result in quality issues, reputational harm, lost market and revenue opportunities, and otherwise adversely affect Applied’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Applied may incur impairment charges to goodwill or long-lived assets.
Applied has 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 that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. The review compares the fair value for each of Applied’s reporting units to its associated carrying value, including goodwill. Factors that could lead to impairment of goodwill and intangible assets include adverse industry or economic trends, reduced estimates of future cash flows, declines in the market price of Applied common stock, changes in Applied’s strategies or product portfolio, and restructuring activities. Applied’s valuation methodology for assessing impairment requires management to make judgments and assumptions based on historical experience and projections of future operating performance. Applied may be required to record future charges to earnings during the period in which an impairment of goodwill or intangible assets is determined to exist.Compliance
Applied is exposed to risks associated with operating in jurisdictions with complex and changing tax laws.
Applied is subject to income taxes in the United States and foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required to determine and estimate worldwide tax liabilities. Applied’s provision for income taxes and effective tax rates could be affected by numerous factors, including changes in applicable tax laws, interpretations of applicable tax laws, amount and composition of pre-tax income in jurisdictions with differing tax rates, and valuation of deferred tax assets. An increase in Applied’s provision for income taxes and effective tax rate could have a material adverse impact on Applied’s results of operations and financial condition.
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted tax legislation referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The U.S. government may issue regulations that significantly affect how the Tax Act is interpreted. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118), which provides guidance on accounting for income tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period for companies to complete this accounting, which will not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date. Pursuant to SAB 118, provisional adjustments were recorded when reasonable estimates could be determined. No adjustments were recorded when reasonable estimates could not be determined. These provisional estimates will be revised as information becomes available and guidance is issued by the Internal Revenue Service, and changes in Applied’s provision for income taxes and effective tax rates could have a material impact on Applied’s results of operations and financial condition.
Consistent with the international nature of its business, Applied conducts certain manufacturing, supply chain, and other operations in Asia, bringing these activities closer to customers and reducing operating costs. In certain foreign jurisdictions, conditional reduced income tax rates have been granted to Applied. To obtain the benefit of these tax incentives, Applied must meet requirements relating to various activities. Applied’s ability to realize benefits from these incentives could be materially affected if, among other things, applicable requirements are not met or Applied incurs net losses in these jurisdictions.
In addition, Applied is subject to examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities, and from time to time amends previously filed tax returns. Applied regularly assesses the likelihood of favorable or unfavorable outcomes resulting from these examinations and amendments to determine the adequacy of its provision for income taxes, which requires estimates and judgments. Although Applied believes its tax estimates are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the tax authorities will agree with such estimates. Applied may have to engage in litigation to achieve the results reflected in the estimates, which may be time-consuming and expensive. There can be no assurance that Applied will be successful or that any final determination will not be materially different from the treatment reflected in Applied’s historical income tax provisions and effective tax rates.

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Applied is exposed to various risks related to legal proceedings.
Applied from time to time is, and in the future may be involved in legal proceedings or claims regarding patent infringement, intellectual property rights, antitrust, environmental regulations, securities, contracts, product performance, product liability, unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets, employment, workplace safety, and other matters. Applied also on occasion receives notification from customers who believe that Applied owes them indemnification, product warranty or has other obligations related to claims made against such customers by third parties.
Legal proceedings and claims, whether with or without merit, and associated internal investigations, may be time-consuming and expensive to prosecute, defend or conduct; divert management’s attention and other Applied resources; inhibit Applied’s ability to sell its products; result in adverse judgments for damages, injunctive relief, penalties and fines; and negatively affect Applied’s business. There can be no assurance regarding the outcome of current or future legal proceedings, claims or investigations.
Applied is subject to risks associated with environmental, health and safety regulations.
Applied is subject to environmental, health and safety regulations in connection with its global business operations, including but not limited to: regulations related to the development, manufacture, shipping and use of its products; handling, discharge, recycling and disposal of hazardous materials used in its products or in producing its products; the operation of its facilities; and the use of its real property. The failure or inability to comply with existing or future environmental and safety regulations could result in: significant remediation or other legal liabilities; the imposition of penalties and fines; restrictions on the development, manufacture, sale, shipping or use of certain of its products; limitations on the operation of its facilities or ability to use its real property; and a decrease in the value of its real property. Applied could be required to alter its manufacturing and operations and incur substantial expense in order to comply with environmental, health and safety regulations. Any failure to comply with environmental and safetythese regulations could subject Applied to significant costs and liabilities that could adversely affect Applied’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Applied is exposed to various risks related to the global regulatory environment.
As a public company with global operations, Applied is subject to the laws of the United States and multiple foreign jurisdictions and the rules and regulations of various governing bodies, which may differ among jurisdictions, including those related to financial and other disclosures, accounting standards, corporate governance, intellectual property, tax, trade, antitrust, employment, immigration and travel regulations, privacy, and anti-corruption. Changing, inconsistent or conflicting laws, rules and regulations, and ambiguities in their interpretation and application create uncertainty and challenges, and compliance with laws, rules and regulations may be onerous and expensive, divert management time and attention from revenue-generating activities, and otherwise adversely impact Applied’s business operations. Violations of law, rules and regulations could result in fines, criminal sanctions, restrictions on Applied’s business, and damage to its reputation, and could have an adverse impact on its business operations, financial condition and results of operations.


Item 1B:Unresolved Staff Comments
Item 1B:      Unresolved Staff Comments
None.



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Item 2:Properties
Item 2:      Properties
Information concerning Applied’s properties is set forth below:
 
(Square feet in thousands)United States Other Countries Total(Square feet in thousands)United StatesOther CountriesTotal
Owned4,530 2,417 6,947Owned4,9782,4727,450
Leased1,037 1,341 2,378Leased1,1101,6022,712
Total5,567 3,758 9,325Total6,0884,07410,162
Because of the interrelation of Applied’s operations, properties within a country may be shared by the segments operating within that country. The Company’s headquarters offices are in Santa Clara, California. Products in Semiconductor Systems are manufactured in Santa Clara, California; Austin, Texas; Gloucester, Massachusetts; Kalispell, Montana; Rehovot, Israel; and Singapore. Remanufactured equipment products in the Applied Global Services segment are produced primarily in Austin, Texas. Products in the Display and Adjacent Markets segment are manufactured in Alzenau, Germany and Tainan, Taiwan. Other products are manufactured in Treviso, Italy.
Applied also owns and leases offices, plants and warehouse locations in many locations throughout the world, including in Europe, Japan, North America (principally the United States), Israel, China, India, Korea, Southeast Asia and Taiwan. These facilities are principally used for manufacturing; research, development and engineering; and marketing, sales and customer support.
Applied also owns a total of approximately 269 acres of buildable land in Montana, Texas, California, Israel and Italy that could accommodate additional building space.
Applied considers the properties that it owns or leases as adequate to meet its current and future requirements. Applied regularly assesses the size, capability and location of its global infrastructure and periodically makes adjustments based on these assessments.

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Item 3:Legal Proceedings
Item 3:      Legal Proceedings
The information set forth under “Legal Matters” in Note 1416 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements is incorporated herein by reference.
 
Item 4:Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 4:      Mine Safety Disclosures
None.



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PART II


Item 5:Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Item 5:      Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
Applied’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol AMAT. As of December 7, 2018,4, 2020, there were 2,8542,860 registered holders of Applied common stock. Information regarding quarterly cash dividends declared on Applied Materials’s common stock during fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 may be found under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources”.
Performance Graph
The performance graph below shows the five-year cumulative total stockholder return on Applied common stock during the period from October 27, 201325, 2015 through October 28, 2018.25, 2020. This is compared with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and the RDGPHLX Semiconductor Composite Index over the same period. The comparison assumes $100 was invested on October 27, 201325, 2015 in Applied common stock and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes reinvestment of dividends, if any. Dollar amounts in the graph are rounded to the nearest whole dollar. The performance shown in the graph represents past performance and should not be considered an indication of future performance.


COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*amat-20201025_g1.jpg
Among Applied Materials, Inc., the S&P 500 Index
and the RDG Semiconductor Composite Index

amatfy18performancegraph.jpg
*Assumes $100 invested on 10/27/1325/15 in stock or 10/31/1315 in index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Indexes calculated on month-end basis.
Copyright© 20182020 Standard & Poor’s, a division of S&P global. All rights reserved.
 
10/25/201510/30/201610/29/201710/28/201810/27/201910/25/2020
Applied Materials100.00 177.60 354.97 205.10 360.44 399.81 
S&P 500 Index100.00 104.76 129.77 136.27 158.11 184.74 
PHLX Semiconductor Index100.00 122.17 191.73 178.03 259.79 378.46 
 10/27/2013 10/26/2014 10/25/2015 10/30/2016 10/29/2017 10/28/2018
Applied Materials100.00
 121.04
 96.67
 171.69
 343.16
 198.27
S&P 500 Index100.00
 117.27
 123.37
 128.93
 159.40
 171.11
RDG Semiconductor Composite Index100.00
 128.42
 126.26
 154.41
 232.29
 221.61




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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table provides information as of October 28, 201825, 2020 with respect to the shares of common stock repurchased by Applied during the fourth quarter of fiscal 20182020 pursuant to a publicly announced stock repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors in February 2018, which authorized up to an aggregate of $6.0 billion in repurchases.
PeriodTotal Number of Shares PurchasedAverage
Price Paid
per Share
Aggregate
Price Paid
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Programs
Maximum Dollar
Value of Shares
That May Yet be
Purchased Under
the Programs
 (In millions, except per share amounts)
Month #1
(July 27, 2020 to August 23, 2020)0.8 $64.40 $50 0.8 $1,275 
Month #2
(August 24, 2020 to September 20, 2020)— — — $1,275 
Month #3
(September 21, 2020 to October 25, 2020)— — — $1,275 
Total0.8 $64.40 $50 0.8 

32
Period
Total Number of
Shares  Purchased
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share
 
Aggregate
Price Paid
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Programs *
 
Maximum Dollar
Value of Shares
That May Yet be
Purchased Under
the Programs
          
 (In millions, except per share amounts)
Month #1         
(July 30, 2018 to August 26, 2018)7.9
 $46.69
 $369
 7.9
 $4,709
Month #2         
(August 27, 2018 to September 23, 2018)3.7
 $40.13
 148
 3.7
 $4,561
Month #3         
(September 24, 2018 to October 28, 2018)6.5
 $35.78
 234
 6.5
 $4,327
Total18.1
 $41.43
 $751
 18.1
  

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Item 6:Selected Financial Data
Item 6:
Selected Financial Data
The following selected financial information has been derived from Applied’s historical audited consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes for the corresponding fiscal years:


Fiscal Year(1)
20202019201820172016
 (In millions, except percentages and per share amounts)
Net sales$17,202 $14,608 $16,705 $14,698 $10,825 
Gross profit$7,692 $6,386 $7,517 $6,612 $4,511 
Gross margin44.7 %43.7 %45.0 %45.0 %41.7 %
Research, development and engineering$2,234 $2,054 $2,022 $1,781 $1,540 
Operating income$4,365 $3,350 $4,491 $3,936 $2,152 
Operating margin25.4 %22.9 %26.9 %26.8 %19.9 %
Income before income taxes$4,166 $3,269 $4,396 $3,816 $2,013 
Net income$3,619 $2,706 $3,038 $3,519 $1,721 
Earnings per diluted share$3.92 $2.86 $2.96 $3.25 $1.54 
Long-term debt$5,448 $4,713 $5,309 $5,304 $3,125 
Cash dividends declared per common share$0.87 $0.83 $0.70 $0.40 $0.40 
Total assets$22,353 $19,024 $17,633 $19,190 $14,570 
(1)Each fiscal year ended on the last Sunday in October. Fiscal 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017 each contained 52 weeks, and fiscal 2016 contained 53 weeks.


Fiscal Year(1)
2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
          
 (In millions, except percentages and per share amounts)
Net sales$17,253
 $14,537
 $10,825
 $9,659
 $9,072
Gross profit$7,817
 $6,532
 $4,511
 $3,952
 $3,843
Gross margin45.3% 44.9% 41.7% 40.9% 42.4%
Research, development and engineering$2,019
 $1,774
 $1,540
 $1,451
 $1,428
Operating income$4,796
 $3,868
 $2,152
 $1,693
 $1,520
Operating margin27.8% 26.6% 19.9% 17.5% 16.8%
Income before income taxes$4,694
 $3,731
 $2,013
 $1,598
 $1,448
Net income$3,313
 $3,434
 $1,721
 $1,377
 $1,072
Earnings per diluted share$3.23
 $3.17
 $1.54
 $1.12
 $0.87
Long-term debt$5,309
 $5,304
 $3,143
 $3,342
 $1,947
Cash dividends declared per common share$0.70
 $0.40
 $0.40
 $0.40
 $0.40
Total assets$17,773
 $19,419
 $14,588
 $15,308
 $13,174
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(1)Each fiscal year ended on the last Sunday in October. Fiscal 2018, 2017, 2015, and 2014 each contained 52 weeks, and fiscal 2016 contained 53 weeks.

28




Item 7:Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7:      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Introduction
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) is intended to facilitate an understanding of Applied’s business and results of operations. This MD&A should be read in conjunction with Applied’s Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements and should also be read in conjunction with the cautionary statement set forth at the beginning of this Form 10-K. MD&A consists of the following sections:
 
Applied's Pandemic Response
Overview: a summary of Applied’s business and measurements
Results of Operations: a discussion of operating results
Segment Information: a discussion of segment operating results
Recent Accounting Pronouncements: a discussion of new accounting pronouncements and its impact to Applied’s consolidated financial statements
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources: an analysis of cash flows, sources and uses of cash
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates: a discussion of critical accounting policies that require the exercise of judgments and estimates
Non-GAAP Adjusted Results: a presentation of results reconciling GAAP to non-GAAP adjusted measures
Applied’s Pandemic Response
Applied Materials’ business has been identified by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as part of the Critical Infrastructure Sectors that the Federal government deems “essential to ensure the continuity of functions critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security” and that have “a special responsibility in these times to continue operations.”
Applied responded quickly to put in place precautionary measures to keep its workplaces healthy and safe, while ensuring compliance with orders and restrictions imposed by government authorities, everywhere Applied operates in the world.
Applied’s top priority during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic remains protecting the health and safety of its employees and their families, customers and community. Applied continues to maintain workplace flexibility such as working remotely where possible to reduce the number of people who are on campus each day. Applied is keeping its critical labs and operations active and continuing to support customers. In the interest of public health, all onsite operations are utilizing the minimum number of people to safely execute tasks and following enhanced safety and health protocols—including screenings, social distancing, and use of personal protective equipment.
Applied has a multi-phase plan to return to working on-site, which takes into consideration factors such as Applied’s business needs, local government regulations, community case trends, and recommendation from public health officials. The plan involves multiple phases that gradually allow additional workers to return onsite while practicing social distancing and other safety measures.
Applied Materials is committed to helping those most impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In regions around the world, Applied and its Foundation are addressing immediate humanitarian needs while investing resources to combat the long-term effect of the virus on the nonprofit organizations in its communities. Applied has shared masks and equipment with medical facilities, provided blood analysis systems to medical professionals and sent emergency support to food banks.
Applied will continue to monitor and evaluate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and will work to respond appropriately to the impact of COVID-19 on its business, its customers’ and suppliers’ businesses and its communities.
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Overview
Applied provides manufacturing equipment, services and software to the semiconductor, display, and related industries. Applied’s customers include manufacturers of semiconductor wafers and chips, liquid crystal and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, and other electronic devices. These customers may use what they manufacture in their own end products or sell the items to other companies for use in advanced electronic components. Each of Applied’s businesses is subject to variable industry conditions, as demand for manufacturing equipment and services can change depending on supply and demand for chips, display technologies, and other electronic devices, as well as other factors, such as global economic and market conditions, and the nature and timing of technological advances in fabrication processes.
Applied operates in three reportable segments: Semiconductor Systems, Applied Global Services, and Display and Adjacent Markets. A summary of financial information for each reportable segment is found in Note 1517 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. A discussion of factors that could affect Applied’s operations is set forth under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A, which is incorporated herein by reference. Product development and manufacturing activities occur primarily in the United States, Europe, Israel, and Asia. Applied’s broad range of equipment and service products are highly technical and are sold primarily through a direct sales force.
Applied’s results are driven primarily by customer spending on capital equipment and services to support key technology transitions or to increase production volume in response to worldwide demand for semiconductors and displays. Spending by semiconductor customers, which include companies that operate in the foundry, memorylogic and logicmemory markets, is driven by demand for advanced electronic products, including smartphones and other mobile devices, servers, personal computers, automotive devices, storage, and other products. The growth of data and emerging end-market drivers such as artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, 5G networks, smart vehicles and augmented and virtual reality the Internet of Things and smart vehicles are also creating new opportunitiesthe next wave of growth for the industry. As a result, products within the Semiconductor Systems segment are subject to significant changes in customer requirements, including transitions to smaller dimensions, increasingly complex chip architectures, new materials and an increasing number of applications. Demand for display manufacturing equipment spending depends primarily on consumer demand for increasingly larger and more advanced TVs as well as larger and higher resolution displays for next-generation mobile devices, and investments in new types of display technologies. While certain existing technologies may be adapted to new requirements, some applications create the need for an entirely different technological approach. The timing of customer investment in manufacturing equipment is also affected by the timing of next-generation process development and the timing of capacity expansion to meet end-market demand. In light of these conditions, Applied’s results can vary significantly year-over-year, as well as quarter-over-quarter.

29



Applied’s strategic priorities include developing products that help solve customers’ challenges at technology inflections; expanding its served market opportunities in the semiconductor and display industries; and growing its services business. Applied’s long-term growth strategy requires continued development of new materials engineering capabilities, including products and platforms that enable expansion into new and adjacent markets. Applied’s significant investments in research, development and engineering must generally enable it to deliver new products and technologies before the emergence of strong demand, thus allowing customers to incorporate these products into their manufacturing plans during early-stage technology selection. Applied works closely with its global customers to design systems and processes that meet their planned technical and production requirements.
The following table presents certain significant measurements for the past three fiscal years:
 
  Change
2020201920182020 over 20192019 over 2018
 
 (In millions, except per share amounts and percentages)
Net sales$17,202 $14,608 $16,705 $2,594 $(2,097)
Gross margin44.7 %43.7 %45.0 %1.0 points(1.3) points
Operating income$4,365 $3,350 $4,491 $1,015 $(1,141)
Operating margin25.4 %22.9 %26.9 %2.5 points(4.0) points
Net income$3,619 $2,706 $3,038 $913 $(332)
Earnings per diluted share$3.92 $2.86 $2.96 $1.06 $(0.10)
       Change
 2018 2017 2016 2018 over 2017 2017 over 2016
          
 (In millions, except per share amounts and percentages)
Net sales$17,253
 $14,537
 $10,825
 $2,716
 $3,712
Gross margin45.3% 44.9% 41.7% 0.4 points 3.2 points
Operating income$4,796
 $3,868
 $2,152
 $928
 $1,716
Operating margin27.8% 26.6% 19.9% 1.2 points 6.7 points
Net income$3,313
 $3,434
 $1,721
 $(121) $1,713
Earnings per diluted share$3.23
 $3.17
 $1.54
 $0.06
 $1.63


Fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 and 2017each contained 52 weeks, and fiscal 2016 contained 53 weeks.
Fiscal 2018 included a one-time expense related to the enactment of recent U.S. income tax legislationlaw that reduced diluted earnings per share by $1.08.
Investment
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During fiscal 2020, COVID-19 was designated a pandemic and the resulting restrictions put in place worldwide impacted Applied’s supply chains and manufacturing operations. The semiconductor industry was deemed to be part of a U.S. Critical Infrastructure Sector, allowing Applied to continue operations, while ensuring compliance with orders and display manufacturingrestrictions imposed by government authorities by putting additional precautionary measures in place to keep its workplaces healthy and safe, everywhere Applied operates in the world.
Even with the unprecedented challenges faced during the pandemic, semiconductor equipment and servicescustomers continued to be a strong driver of revenue during fiscal 2018. Semiconductor equipment customers mademake strategic investments in new capacity and technology transitions during fiscal 2020. Foundry and Applied’s overall semiconductor systems revenue increased as compared to the prior year. Demand for dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) and NANDlogic spending increased in fiscal 2018 although overall spending2020 compared to fiscal 2019 led by customer investment in advanced foundry-logic nodes. Spending by memory customers was lower towards the second half of the year. Logic customers’ spending remained strong while foundry customers’ spending decreasedincreased in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019, as the prior yearmarket began to recover from excess supply and Applied continues to see theseinventory levels and customers optimize existing capacity and re-prioritize their capital spending plans on longer lead-time equipment not in Applied’s product portfolio. Display equipment spending during fiscal 2018 reflected continued investmentinvested in new technology and manufacturingdevelopment. Applied saw continued growth in its services business in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019 driven by an increase in the installed base of equipment for producing larger LCD TVs and in new equipment for mobile devices. Applied also continued to see strong growthlong-term service agreements. Applied’s display and adjacent markets revenue declined slightly in demand for spares and services from customers asfiscal 2020 compared to the prior year.
While Applied anticipates major technology trends to continue driving long-term growth in the semiconductor industry, the trends characterizing the second half of 2018 are likely to continue into early fiscal 2019, with lower spending by memory customers, and foundry customers prioritizing spending on longer lead-time equipment not in Applied’s product portfolio. Applied also expects lower spendingdue to weak demand for display manufacturing equipment for TVs.
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and evolving conditions and worldwide response, Applied made adjustments to its global operations and continues to see recovery within its supply chain and strong demand from semiconductor customers. However, the situation remains fluid and uncertain. Applied is actively managing its responses in fiscal 2019, although long-term demand drivers remaincollaboration with its employees, customers and suppliers. For additional risks associated with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, see the risk factor entitled “The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and global measures taken in place. Applied anticipates continued growthresponse thereto have adversely impacted, and may continue to adversely impact, Applied’s operations and financial results in semiconductor spares and services spending in fiscal 2019.Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”

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Results of Operations

Net Sales
Net sales for the periods indicated were as follows:
Change
 2020201920182020 over 20192019 over 2018
 (In millions, except percentages)
Semiconductor Systems$11,367 66%$9,027 62%$10,577 63%26 %(15)%
Applied Global Services4,155 24%3,854 26%3,754 22%%%
Display and Adjacent Markets1,607 9%1,651 11%2,298 14%(3)%(28)%
Corporate and Other73 1%76 1%76 1%(4)%— %
Total$17,202 100%$14,608 100%$16,705 100%18 %(13)%
             Change
 2018 2017 2016 2018 over 2017 2017 over 2016
                
 (In millions, except percentages)
Semiconductor Systems$10,903
 63% $9,517
 65% $6,873
 64% 15% 38%
Applied Global Services3,754
 22% 3,017
 21% 2,589
 24% 24% 17%
Display and Adjacent Markets2,498
 14% 1,900
 13% 1,206
 11% 31% 58%
Corporate and Other98
 1% 103
 1% 157
 1% (5)% (34)%
Total$17,253
 100% $14,537
 100% $10,825
 100% 19% 34%

Net sales in fiscal 20182020 compared to fiscal 20172019 increased primarily due to increased customer investments across all segments.in semiconductor equipment and spending on services. Net sales in fiscal 2019 compared to fiscal 2018 decreased primarily due to decreased customer investments in semiconductor and display manufacturing equipment. The Semiconductor Systems segment continued to represent the largest contributor of net sales and to the increase in net sales.
Net sales in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 increased due to increased customer investments in all segments, with the majority
36

Table of the increases resulting from investments in semiconductor equipment.Contents

Net sales by geographic region, determined by the location of customers’ facilities to which products were shipped, were as follows:
      ChangeChange
2018 2017 2016 2018 over 2017 2017 over 2016 2020201920182020 over 20192019 over 2018
      
(In millions, except percentages) (In millions, except percentages)
China$5,113
 30% $2,746
 19% $2,259
 21% 86% 22%China$5,456 32%$4,277 29%$5,047 30%28 %(15)%
Korea3,603
 21% 4,052
 28% 1,883
 17% (11)% 115%Korea3,031 18%1,929 13%3,539 21%57 %(45)%
Taiwan2,732
 16% 3,291
 23% 2,843
 26% (17)% 16%Taiwan3,953 23%2,965 20%2,504 15%33 %18 %
Japan2,405
 14% 1,518
 10% 1,279
 12% 58% 19%Japan1,996 11%2,198 15%2,396 14%(9)%(8)%
Southeast Asia802
 4% 640
 4% 803
 7% 25% (20)%Southeast Asia411 2%548 4%797 5%(25)%(31)%
Asia Pacific14,655
 85% 12,247
 84% 9,067
 83% 20% 35%Asia Pacific14,847 86%11,917 81%14,283 85%25 %(17)%
United States1,532
 9% 1,474
 10% 1,143
 11% 4% 29%United States1,619 10%1,871 13%1,413 9%(13)%32 %
Europe1,066
 6% 816
 6% 615
 6% 31% 33%Europe736 4%820 6%1,009 6%(10)%(19)%
Total$17,253
 100% $14,537
 100% $10,825
 100% 19% 34%Total$17,202 100%$14,608 100%$16,705 100%18 %(13)%
The changes in net sales in all regions other than Korea forin fiscal 20182020 compared to fiscal 20172019 primarily reflected changes in semiconductor equipment spending, including product and customer mix, and increased spending in semiconductor spares and services.spending. The increase in net sales to customers in China, also reflectedTaiwan and Korea for fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019 was primarily due to increased investments in semiconductor manufacturing equipment and customer spending on comprehensive service agreements. The increase in China was partially offset by a decrease in customer spending in display manufacturing equipment. The decrease in net sales to customers in KoreaJapan and United States for fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019 primarily reflected decreaseda decrease in investments in semiconductor and display manufacturing equipment. The decrease in net sales to customers in Southeast Asia and Europe for fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019 primarily reflected a decrease in investments in semiconductor manufacturing equipment and customer spending on legacy systems and spares.
The changes in net sales from customers in all regions forin fiscal 20172019 compared to fiscal 20162018 primarily reflected changes in semiconductor and display manufacturing equipment spending and customer and product mix. The increase in net sales to customers in Taiwan and United States for fiscal 2019 compared the prior year was primarily due to increased investments in semiconductor equipment and changes in semiconductor equipment customer mix. In addition, the increasemanufacturing equipment. The decrease in net sales fromto customers in China alsoall other regions for fiscal 2019 compared to fiscal 2018 primarily reflected increaseda decrease in investments fromin semiconductor and display manufacturing equipment customers.equipment.

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Gross Margin
Gross margins for the periods indicated were as follows:
       Change
 2018 2017 2016 2018 over 2017 2017 over 2016
          
Gross margin45.3% 44.9% 41.7% 0.4 points 3.2 points
  Change
 2020201920182020 over 20192019 over 2018
 (In millions, except percentages)
Gross margin44.7 %43.7 %45.0 %1.0 points(1.3) points
Gross margin in fiscal 20182020 increased slightly compared to fiscal 2017,2019 year primarily due to higherthe increase in net sales and materials cost savings.favorable changes in customer and product mix, partially offset by higher freight costs, and higher personnel costs due to increase in headcount to provide manufacturing capacity and flexibility, underutilization of headcount due to COVID-19 restrictions preventing travel to customer site and incremental employee compensation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gross margin in fiscal 2017 increased2019 decreased compared to fiscal 2016,2018, primarily due to higherthe decrease in net sales favorableand unfavorable changes in customer and product mix and materials cost savings.mix.
Gross margin during fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 2017 and 2016 included $87$103 million, $69$89 million and $62$87 million, respectively, of share-based compensation expense.
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Research, Development and Engineering
Research, Development and Engineering (RD&E) expenses for the periods indicated were as follows:
       Change
 2018 2017 2016 2018 over 2017 2017 over 2016
          
 (In millions)
Research, development and engineering$2,019
 $1,774
 $1,540
 $245
 $234
   Change
 2020201920182020 over 20192019 over 2018
 (In millions)
Research, development and engineering$2,234 $2,054 $2,022 $180 $32 
Applied’s future operating results depend to a considerable extent on its ability to maintain a competitive advantage in the equipment and service products it provides. Development cycles range from 12 to 36 months depending on whether the product is an enhancement of an existing product, which typically has a shorter development cycle, or a new product, which typically has a longer development cycle. Most of Applied’s existing products resulted from internal development activities and innovations involving new technologies, materials and processes. In certain instances, Applied acquires technologies, either in existing or new product areas, to complement its existing technology capabilities and to reduce time to market.
Management believes that it is critical to continue to make substantial investments in RD&E to assure the availability of innovative technology that meets the current and projected requirements of its customers’ most advanced designs. Applied has maintained and intends to continue its commitment to investing in RD&E in order to continue to offer new products and technologies.
In fiscal 2018, Applied increasedcontinued its RD&E investments across Semiconductor Systems and Display and Adjacent Markets includingon the development of new unit process systems and integrated materials solutions. Areas of investment include etch, e-beamdeposition, inspection, patterning, packaging and other materials engineering solutionstechnologies to improve chip performance, power, area, cost and enable advanced displays. Applied’s investments in etch were focused on supporting the adoption of precision etch technology for enabling continued scaling of 3D logic and memory chips. The investment in e-beam inspection was in support of strengthening our e-beam portfolio, which helps achieve higher yields at advanced nodes by detecting the most challenging defects and monitoring and controlling process marginality. Applied also invested in materials engineering solutions to support patterning applications as well as to improve transistor performance and device power efficiency.time-to-market. In Display and Adjacent Markets, RD&E investments were focused on expanding the company’s market opportunity with new display technologies.
The increases in RD&E expenses during fiscal 2020 compared fiscal 2019 were primarily due to additional headcount and higher expense associated with share-based compensation and variable compensation. RD&E expenses increased slightly in fiscal 20182019 compared to the prior year and also in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016, primarily due to additional headcount and increased research and development spending in Semiconductor Systems and Display and Adjacent Market segments. These increases reflect Applied’s ongoing investments in product development initiatives, consistent with the Company’s growth strategy. Applied continued to prioritize existing RD&E investments in technical capabilities and critical research and development programs in current and new markets, with a focus on semiconductor technologies.
RD&E expense during fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 2017 and 2016 included $96$116 million, $83$99 million and $76$96 million, respectively, of share-based compensation expense.

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Marketing and Selling
Marketing and selling expenses for the periods indicated were as follows:
       Change
 2018 2017 2016 2018 over 2017 2017 over 2016
          
 (In millions)
Marketing and selling$521
 $456
 $429
 $65
 $27
  Change
 2020201920182020 over 20192019 over 2018
 (In millions)
Marketing and selling$526 $521 $521 $$— 
Marketing and selling expenses increasedremained relatively flat in fiscal 20182020 compared to fiscal 2017 primarily due to additional headcount. Marketing2019 and selling expenses increased in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016, primarily due to additional headcount, partially offset by the reduction in bad debt provision recorded during fiscal 2017.
2018. Marketing and selling expenses for fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018 2017 and 2016 included $36 million, $31 million $28 million and $26$31 million, respectively, of share-based compensation expense.
General and Administrative
General and administrative (G&A) expenses for the periods indicated were as follows:
Change
 2020201920182020 over 20192019 over 2018
 (In millions)
General and administrative$567 $461 $483 $106 $(22)
       Change
 2018 2017 2016 2018 over 2017 2017 over 2016
          
 (In millions)
General and administrative$481
 $434
 $390
 $47
 $44
G&A expenses in fiscal 2020 increased compared to fiscal 2019 primarily due to higher expense associated with acquisition integration and deal costs, variable compensation, and share-based compensation. General and administrative expenses in fiscal 2018 increased2019 decreased slightly compared to fiscal 20172018 primarily due to additional headcount and unfavorable impact from foreign exchange fluctuation, partially offset by lower variable compensation expense. General and administrative expenses in fiscal 2017 increased compared to fiscal 2016, primarily due to higher variable compensation and additional headcount.expenses.
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G&A expenses during fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 2017 and 2016 included $52 million, $44 million $40 million and $37$44 million, respectively, of share-based compensation expense.
Interest Expense and Interest and Other Income (loss), net
Interest expense and interest and other income (loss), net for the periods indicated were as follows:
      Change Change
2018 2017 2016 2018 over 2017 2017 over 2016 2020201920182020 over 20192019 over 2018
         
(In millions) (In millions)
Interest expense$234
 $198
 $155
 $36
 $43
Interest expense$240 $237 $234 $$
Interest and other income, net$132
 $61
 $16
 $71
 $45
Interest and other income, net$41 $156 $139 $(115)$17 
Interest expenses incurred were primarily associated with the senior unsecured notes issued in June 2011, September 2015, and March 2017.notes. Interest expense increased in fiscal 20182020 remained relatively flat compared to the prior yearfiscal 2019 and also in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 due to the issuance of senior unsecured notes in March 2017.2018.
Interest and other income, net primarily includes interest earned on cash and investments, realized gains or losses on sales of securities and impairment of strategic investments. Effective the first quarter of fiscal 2019, unrealized gains and losses on investments classified as equity investments are recognized in other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Prior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-01 Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, these unrealized gains and temporary losses were included within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of any related tax effect. Interest and other income, net in fiscal 2018 increased2020 decreased compared to fiscal 20172019, primarily driven by realizedlower interest income and a loss on early extinguishment of debt. In addition, unrealized gains on sales ofequity investment securities and higher interest income from investments.investments during fiscal 2020 was lower compared to fiscal 2019. Interest and other income, net in fiscal 20172019 increased compared to the prior yearfiscal 2018 primarily due to higher interest income from investments, partially offsetdriven by higher impairment of strategic investments in fiscal 2017.

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unrealized gains on equity investment securities.
Income Taxes
Provision for income taxes and effective tax rates for the periods indicated were as follows:
      Change Change
2018 2017 2016 2018 over 2017 2017 over 2016 2020201920182020 over 20192019 over 2018
         
(In millions, except percentages) (In millions, except percentages)
Provision for income taxes$1,381
 $297
 $292
 $1,084
 $5
Provision for income taxes$547 $563 $1,358 $(16)$(795)
Effective income tax rate29.4% 8.0% 14.5% 21.4 points (6.5) pointsEffective income tax rate13.1 %17.2 %30.9 %(4.1) points(13.7) points
Applied’s provision for income taxes and effective tax rate are affected by the geographical composition of pre-tax income which includes jurisdictions with differing tax rates, conditional reduced tax rates and other income tax incentives. It is also affected by events that are not consistent from period to period, such as changes in income tax laws and the resolution of prior years’ income tax filings.
On December 22, 2017,June 14, 2019, the U.S. government enactedreleased regulations that significantly affect how the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) provision of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”)(Tax Act) is interpreted. As a result, Applied reversed a tax benefit of $96 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2019 that had been realized in the first half of fiscal 2019. An accounting policy may be selected to treat GILTI temporary differences in taxable income either as a current-period expense when incurred (period cost method) or factor such amounts into the measurement of deferred taxes (deferred method). Applied has chosen the period cost method.
On March 27, 2020, the U.S. government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The Taxenactment of the CARES Act includes a reductiondoes not result in any material adjustments to the U.S. federal corporateApplied’s provision for income taxes.
Applied’s effective tax rate from 35.0 percent to 21.0 percent and requires a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries payable over eight years. U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities were subject to remeasurementfor fiscal 2020 was lower than fiscal 2019 primarily due to a decline in the reductiontax expense from changes to uncertain tax positions year-over-year, an increased tax benefit from tax credits, and increased excess stock compensation tax benefits. This benefit was partly offset by an unfavorable settlement of the U.S. federal corporatean uncertain tax rate. Applied has a blended U.S. federal corporate tax rate of 23.4 percent forposition in fiscal 2018 based on the number of days before and after the effective date of the Tax Act.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118), which provides guidance on accounting for the income tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period for companies to complete this accounting. Pursuant to SAB 118, provisional adjustments were recorded when reasonable estimates could be determined. These provisional estimates will be revised as information becomes available and as guidance is issued by the Internal Revenue Service. The accounting for the income tax effects of the Tax Act will be completed during the measurement period, which will not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date. Applied continues to evaluate certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries used to calculate the transition tax. The remeasurement of U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities is complete.2020.
The effective tax rate for fiscal 20182019 was higherlower than fiscal 20172018 primarily due to tax expense of $1.1 billion in fiscal 2018 for the transition tax and remeasurement of deferred tax assets as a result of the Tax Act, partially offset by changes inAct. Excluding the geographical compositiontax expense of income, tax benefits from$1.1 billion, the lower U.S. federal corporate tax rate, adoption of authoritative guidance for share-based compensation, and the resolution of tax liabilities for uncertain tax positions. In addition, fiscal 2017 included tax benefits from the recognition of previously unrecognized foreign tax credits.
The effective tax rate for fiscal 20172019 was lowerhigher than fiscal 20162018 primarily due to certain provisions in the recognitionTax Act becoming effective in fiscal 2019, tax expense of previously unrecognized foreign tax credits and$87 million in fiscal 2019 related to changes in the geographical composition of income. In addition, fiscal 2016 included unfavorable resolutions and changes related to income tax liabilities for uncertain tax positions as well asand the reinstatement of the U.S. federal R&Dexcess tax credit retroactive to its expiration in December of 2015 which did not reoccurbenefit from share-based compensation in fiscal 2017.


2019 being $42 million less than the prior fiscal year.
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Segment Information
Applied reports financial results in three segments: Semiconductor Systems, Applied Global Services, and Display and Adjacent Markets. A description of the products and services, as well as financial data, for each reportable segment can be found in Note 1517 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Corporate and Other category includes revenues from products, as well as costs of products sold, for fabricating solar photovoltaic cells and modules and certain operating expenses that are not allocated to its reportable segments and are managed separately at the corporate level. These operating expenses include costs for share-based compensation; certain management, finance, legal, human resource, and RD&E functions provided at the corporate level; and unabsorbed information technology and occupancy. In addition, Applied does not allocate to its reportable segments restructuring and asset impairment charges and any associated adjustments related to restructuring actions, unless these actions pertain to a specific reportable segment.
The results for each reportable segment are discussed below.
Semiconductor Systems Segment
The Semiconductor Systems segment is comprised primarily of capital equipment used to fabricate semiconductor chips. Semiconductor industry spending on capital equipment is driven by demand for advanced electronic products, including smartphones and other mobile devices, servers, personal computers, automotive devices,electronics, storage, and other products, and the nature and timing of technological advances in fabrication processes, and as a result is subject to variable industry conditions. Development efforts are focused on solving customers’ key technical challenges in transistor, interconnect, patterning and packaging performance as devices scale to advanced technology nodes.
Investment in semiconductor manufacturing equipment continued to be a strong driver of revenue during fiscal 2018. Semiconductor equipment customers madecontinued to make strategic investments in new capacity and technology transitions during fiscal 2020. Foundry and overalllogic spending increased in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019 led by customer investment in advanced foundry-logic nodes. Spending by memory customers increased in fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019, as the market began to recover from excess supply and inventory levels and customers invested in new technology development. Overall semiconductor systems revenue increased. Demand for logic, DRAM, and NAND increased duringin fiscal 2018. Foundry customers’ spending decreased2020 compared to the prior year and Applied continues to see these customers optimize existing capacity and re-prioritize their capital spending plans on longer lead-time equipment not in Applied’s product portfolio.year.
Certain significant measures for the periods indicated were as follows:
Change
 2020201920182020 over 20192019 over 2018
 (In millions, except percentages and ratios)
Net sales$11,367 $9,027 $10,577 $2,340 26 %$(1,550)(15)%
Operating income$3,714 $2,464 $3,441 $1,250 51 %$(977)(28)%
Operating margin32.7 %27.3 %32.5 %5.4 points(5.2) points
       Change
 2018 2017 2016 2018 over 2017 2017 over 2016
              
 (In millions, except percentages and ratios)
Net sales$10,903
 $9,517
 $6,873
 $1,386
 15% $2,644
 38%
Operating income$3,634
 $3,173
 $1,807
 $461
 15% $1,366
 76%
Operating margin33.3% 33.3% 26.3%   —%   7.0 points
Net sales for Semiconductor Systems by end use application for the periods indicated were as follows:
      202020192018
2018 2017 2016
     
Foundry24% 41% 40%
Foundry, logic and otherFoundry, logic and other59 %52 %36 %
Dynamic random-access memory (DRAM)27% 16% 16%Dynamic random-access memory (DRAM)20 %22 %27 %
Flash memory36% 34% 31%Flash memory21 %26 %37 %
Logic and other13% 9% 13%
100% 100% 100%
100 %100 %100 %
Net sales for fiscal 20182020 increased, in absolute dollars, compared to fiscal 2017 primarily due to higher spending from memory and logic customers, offset by lower spending from foundry customers. Although operating margin remained flat, operating income for fiscal 2018 increased compared to fiscal 2017 primarily due to favorable changes in product mix and higher net sales, partially offset by higher RD&E expenses. Six customers represented at least 10 percent of this segment’s net sales, and together they accounted for approximately 76 percent of this segment’s net sales for fiscal 2018.
Net sales for fiscal 2017 increased compared to fiscal 20162019 primarily due to higher spending from foundry, logic and memoryother customers. Operating income and operating margin for fiscal 20172020 increased compared to fiscal 2019, primarily reflecting higher net sales and favorable changes in customer and product mix and lower travel related spending due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, partially offset by increased RD&E expenses, higher freight costs, higher personnel costs due to additional headcount to provide manufacturing capacity and flexibility, and incremental employee compensation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Net sales for fiscal 2019 decreased compared to fiscal 2018 primarily due to lower spending from memory customers, partially offset by increased spending from foundry, logic and other customers. Operating margin for fiscal 2019 decreased compared to the prior year, primarily due to favorablereflecting lower net sales, unfavorable changes in customer and product mix and higher net sales, partially offset by higher RD&E expenses.

mix.
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In fiscal 2020, two customers each accounted for more than 10 percent of this segment’s total net sales.
The following regionsThere was no single region that accounted for at least 30 percent of total net sales for the Semiconductor Systems segment for one or moreany of the past three fiscal years: years.
          Change
 2018 2017 2016 2018 over 2017 2017 over 2016
                 
 (In millions, except percentages)
Korea$2,886
26% $2,962
31% $1,177
17% $(76) (3)% $1,785
 152%
Taiwan$1,895
17% $2,638
28% $2,165
32% $(743) (28)% $473
 22%

Applied Global Services Segment
The Applied Global Services segment provides integrated solutions to optimize equipment and fab performance and productivity, including spares, upgrades, services, certain remanufactured earlier generation equipment and factory automation software for semiconductor, display and solar products. Customer demand for products and services is fulfilled through a global distribution system with trained service engineers located in close proximity to customer sites.
Demand for Applied Global Services’ service solutions are driven by Applied’s large and growing installed base of manufacturing systems, and customers’ needs to shorten ramp times, improve device performance and yield, and optimize factory output and operating costs. Industry conditions that affect Applied Global Services’ sales of spares and services are primarily characterized by increases in semiconductor manufacturers’ wafer starts and continued strong utilization rates, growth of the installed base of equipment, growing service intensity of newer tools, and the company’s ability to sell more comprehensive service agreements.
Certain significant measures for the periods indicated were as follows:
Change
 2020201920182020 over 20192019 over 2018
 (In millions, except percentages and ratios)
Net sales$4,155 $3,854 $3,754 $301 %$100 %
Operating income$1,127 $1,101 $1,102 $26 %$(1)— %
Operating margin27.1 %28.6 %29.4 %(1.5) points(0.8) points
       Change
 2018 2017 2016 2018 over 2017 2017 over 2016
              
 (In millions, except percentages and ratios)
Net sales$3,754
 $3,017
 $2,589
 $737
 24% $428
 17%
Operating income$1,102
 $817
 $682
 $285
 35% $135
 20%
Operating margin29.4% 27.1% 26.3%   2.3 points   0.8 points

Net sales for fiscal 2020 increased compared to fiscal 2019 primarily due to higher customer spending on comprehensive service agreements, semiconductor spares and legacy systems. Operating margin for fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019 decreased primarily due to an increase in headcount to support business growth, underutilization of headcount due to COVID-19 restrictions preventing travel to customer sites, higher freight costs and incremental employee compensation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fiscal 2020, three customers each accounted for more than 10 percent of this segment’s total net sales.
Net sales increased slightly in fiscal 2019 compared to the prior year primarily due to higher customer spending for comprehensive service agreements and legacy systems, partially offset by lower customer spending on semiconductor spares. Operating income for fiscal 2019 remained flat compared to the prior year primarily due to higher net sales, offset by higher expenses related to an increase in headcount. Operating margin for fiscal 2019 decreased slightly compared to fiscal 2018 primarily due to an increase in headcount to support revenue growth.
There was no single region that accounted for at least 30 percent of total net sales for the Applied Global Services segment for any of the past three fiscal years.
Net sales increased in fiscal 2018 compared to the prior year and also in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016 primarily due to higher customer spending for spares and services. Two customers represented at least 10 percent of this segment’s net sales, and together they accounted for approximately 23 percent of this segment’s net sales for fiscal 2018.
Operating income and operating margin for fiscal 2018 increased compared to the prior year and also in fiscal 2017 compared to fiscal 2016, reflecting higher net sales partially offset by increased headcount to support business growth.

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Display and Adjacent Markets Segment
The Display and Adjacent Markets segment encompasses products for manufacturing liquid crystal and OLED displays, and other display technologies for TVs, monitors, laptops, personal computers, electronic tablets, smart phones, and other consumer-oriented devices, equipment upgrades and flexible coating systems. The segment is focused on expanding its presence through technologically-differentiated equipment for manufacturing large-scale LCD TVs, OLEDs, low temperature polysilicon (LTPS), metal oxide, and touch panel sectors; and development of products that provide customers with improved performance and yields.
Display industry growth depends primarily on consumer demand for increasingly larger and more advanced TVs as well as larger and higher resolution displays for next-generation mobile devices.
The market environment for Applied's Display and Adjacent Markets segment in fiscal 2018 was characterized by increased demand for manufacturing equipment for TV andnext generation mobile devices. Uneven demandspending patterns by customers in the Display and Adjacent Markets segment can cause significant fluctuations quarter-over-quarter, as well as year-over-year.
Certain significant measures for the periods presented were as follows:

Change
      Change 2020201920182020 over 20192019 over 2018
2018 2017 2016 2018 over 2017 2017 over 2016
           (In millions, except percentages and ratios)
(In millions, except percentages and ratios)
Net sales$2,498
 $1,900
 $1,206
 $598
 31% $694
 58%Net sales$1,607 $1,651 $2,298 $(44)(3)%$(647)(28)%
Operating income$679
 $502
 $245
 $177
 35% $257
 105%Operating income$291 $294 $574 $(3)(1)%$(280)(49)%
Operating margin27.2% 26.4% 20.3%   0.8 points   6.1 pointsOperating margin18.1 %17.8 %25.0 %0.3 points(7.2) points

Net sales for fiscal 20182020 decreased compared to fiscal 2019 primarily due to lower customer investments in display manufacturing equipment for TVs, partially offset by higher customer investments in display manufacturing equipment for mobile products. Operating margin for fiscal 2020 increased compared to fiscal 2017 primarily2019, reflecting favorable changes in customer and product mix and lower travel related spending due to higher customer investments in TV display manufacturing equipment. Operating income and operating marginCOVID-19 travel restrictions. In fiscal 2020, four customers each accounted for fiscal 2018 increased compared fiscal 2017, reflecting higher net sales and favorable product mix, partially offset by higher RD&E spending. Three customers, that represented at least 10 percent of this segment’s net sales, and together they accounted for approximately 5874 percent of this segment’s total net sales, for this segment in fiscal 2018, with one customer accounting for approximately 3332 percent of net sales.
Net sales for fiscal 2017 increased2019 decreased compared to prior yearfiscal 2018 primarily due to higherlower customer investments in mobile and TV display manufacturing equipment. Operating income and operating margin for fiscal 2017 increased2019 decreased compared to the prior year,fiscal 2018, reflecting higherlower net sales and favorableunfavorable changes in customer and product mix, partially offset by increased RD&E spending.mix.
The following regionsregion accounted for at least 30 percent of total net sales for the Display and Adjacent Markets segment for one or more of the periods presented:
Change
 2020201920182020 over 20192019 over 2018
 (In millions, except percentages)
China$1,343 84 %$1,469 89 %$1,957 85 %$(126)(9)%$(488)(25)%


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          Change
 2018 2017 2016 2018 over 2017 2017 over 2016
                 
 (In millions, except percentages)
China$2,004
80% $961
51% $449
37% $1,043
 109% $512
 114%
Korea$211
8% $750
39% $492
41% $(539) (72)% $258
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the expected dates of adoption and estimated effects, if any, on Applied’s consolidated financial statements, see Note 1,, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Applied’s cash, cash equivalents and investments consist of the following:
 
October 28,
2018
 October 29,
2017
October 25,
2020
October 27,
2019
   
(In millions) (In millions)
Cash and cash equivalents$3,440
 $5,010
Cash and cash equivalents$5,351 $3,129 
Short-term investments590
 2,266
Short-term investments387 489 
Long-term investments1,568
 1,143
Long-term investments1,538 1,703 
Total cash, cash-equivalents and investments$5,598
 $8,419
Total cash, cash-equivalents and investments$7,276 $5,321 
Sources and Uses of Cash
A summary of cash provided by (used in) operating, investing, and financing activities is as follows:
 
202020192018
 (In millions)
Cash provided by operating activities$3,804 $3,247 $3,787 
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities$(130)$(443)$571 
Cash used in financing activities$(1,337)$(3,115)$(5,928)
 2018 2017 2016
      
 (In millions)
Cash provided by operating activities$3,787
 $3,789
 $2,566
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities$571
 $(2,526) $(425)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities$(5,928) $341
 $(3,532)
In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued authoritative guidance that simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including forfeitures, income tax, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Applied adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Upon adoption, Applied elected to apply the presentation requirements for cash flows related to excess tax benefits and employee taxes paid for withheld shares retrospectively. Adopting this guidance increased cash provided by operating activities by $180 million and $100 million with corresponding net decreases in cash provided by financing activities for fiscal 2017 and 2016, respectively. See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of this adoption.
Operating Activities
Cash from operating activities for fiscal 20182020 was $3.8 billion, which reflects net income adjusted for the effect of non-cash charges and changes in working capital components. Non-cash charges included depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation and deferred income taxes. Cash provided from operating activities remained flat from fiscal 2017 to fiscal 2018 due to the increase in income taxes payable, offset by lower deferred revenue and higher increase in accounts receivable. Cash provided by operating activities increased fromin fiscal 20162020 compared to fiscal 20172019 primarily due to higher net income and better cash collections. Cash provided from operating activities in fiscal 2019 decreased compared to fiscal 2018 due to lower net income, cash collections, change in income taxes payable and higher payments to suppliers, offset by a smaller increasedecrease in customer deposits and a greater increase in inventory in fiscal 2017.inventories.
Applied has agreements with various financial institutions to sell accounts receivable and discount promissory notes from selected customers. Applied sells its accounts receivable without recourse. Applied, from time to time, also discounts letters of credit issued by customers through various financial institutions. The discounting of letters of credit depends on many factors, including the willingness of financial institutions to discount the letters of credit and the cost of such arrangements. Applied sold $1.2 billion, $1.5 billion and $1.6 billion $746 million and $75 million of accounts receivable during fiscal 2018, 20172020, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively. Applied discounted letters of credit issued by customers of $105 million, $48 million and $37 million in fiscal 2018.2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. There was no discounting of promissory notes in each of fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018. Applied did not discount letters of credit issued by customers or discount promissory notes during fiscal 2017 or 2016.
Applied’s working capital was $6.7$8.9 billion at October 28, 201825, 2020 and $8.8$5.8 billion at October 29, 2017.27, 2019.
Days sales outstanding at the end of fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 2017 and 2016 was 5857 days, 5461 days, and 6358 days, respectively. Days sales outstanding varies due to the timing of shipments and payment terms,terms. The decrease in days sales outstanding at the end of fiscal 2020 was primarily due to higher accounts receivable factoring and favorable revenue linearity compared to the end of fiscal 2019. The increase fromin days sales outstanding at the end of fiscal 20172019 compared to the end of fiscal 2018 was primarily due to better revenue linearity in fiscal 2017. Days sales outstanding decreased from fiscal 2016 to fiscal 2017 primarily due to better collections performance and increase inlower factoring of accounts receivable.

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Investing Activities
Applied used $130 million and $443 million of cash in investing activities in fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively. Applied generated $571 million in cash from investing activities in fiscal 2018. Applied used $2.5 billion of cash in investing activities in fiscal 2017 and $425 million in fiscal 2016. Capital expenditures in fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 2017 and 2016 were $622$422 million, $345$441 million and $253$622 million, respectively. Capital expenditures in fiscal 2020 were primarily for investments in demonstration and testing equipment, real property acquisitions and improvements, and network equipment. Capital expenditures in fiscal 2019 and 2018 were primarily for real property acquisitions and improvements in North America and Taiwan, as well as investments in demonstration, testing and laboratory tools. Capital expenditures in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 were primarily for demonstration and test equipment and laboratory tools in North America. Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments, net of purchase of investments waswere $399 million, $26 million and $1.2 billion for fiscal 2018. Purchases of investments, net of proceeds from sales2020, 2019 and maturities of investments were $2.1 billion and $156 million for fiscal 2017 and 2016,2018, respectively. Investing activities also included investments in technology to allow Applied to access new market opportunities or emerging technologies.
Applied’s investment portfolio consists principally of investment grade money market mutual funds, U.S. Treasury and agency securities, municipal bonds, corporate bonds and mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, as well as equity securities. Applied regularly monitors the credit risk in its investment portfolio and takes appropriate measures, which may include the sale of certain securities, to manage such risks prudently in accordance with its investment policies.
Financing Activities
Applied used $1.3 billion of cash in financing activities in fiscal 2020, consisting primarily of the repayment of $1.4 billion senior notes, repurchases of common stock of $649 million, cash dividends to stockholders of $787 million and tax withholding payments for vested equity awards of $172 million, offset by net proceeds received from the issuance of senior unsecured notes of $1.5 billion and proceeds from common stock issuances of $174 million.
Applied used $3.1 billion of cash in financing activities in fiscal 2019, consisting primarily of repurchases of common stock of $2.4 billion, cash dividends to stockholders of $771 million and tax withholding payments for vested equity awards of $86 million, offset by proceeds from common stock issuances of $145 million.
Applied used $5.9 billion of cash in financing activities in fiscal 2018, consisting primarily of repurchases of common stock of $5.3 billion, cash dividends to stockholders of $605 million and tax withholding payments for vested equity awards of $164 million, offset by proceeds from common stock issuances of $124 million.
Applied generated $341 million of cash from financing activities in fiscal 2017, consisting primarily of net proceeds received fromIn February 2018, the issuance of senior unsecured notes of $2.2 billion, proceeds from common stock issuances of $97 million, partially offset by cash used for repurchases of common stock of $1.2 billion, cash dividends to stockholders of $430 million and debt repayments of $205 million.
Applied used $3.5 billion of cash in financing activities in fiscal 2016, consisting primarily $1.2 billion in debt repayments, $1.9 billion in repurchases of its common stock, and $444 million in cash dividends to stockholders, offset by proceeds from common stock issuances of $88 million.
In September 2017, Applied’s Board of Directors approved a common stock repurchase program authorizing up to $3.0 billion in repurchases. In February 2018, the Boardan aggregate of Directors approved a new common stock repurchase program authorizing up to an additional $6.0 billion in repurchases. At October 28, 2018, $4.325, 2020, $1.3 billion remained available for future stock repurchases under this repurchase program.
During fiscal 2018,2020, Applied's Board of Directors declared one quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per share and three quarterly cash dividends of $0.20$0.22 per share andshare. During fiscal 2019, Applied's Board of Directors declared one quarterly cash dividend of $0.10$0.20 per share and three quarterly cash dividends of $0.21 per share. During each of fiscal 2017 and 2016,2018, Applied’s Board of Directors declared fourone quarterly cash dividend of 0.10 per share and three quarterly cash dividends in the amount of $0.10$0.20 per share. Dividends paid during fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 amounted to $787 million, $771 million and $605 million, respectively. Applied currently anticipates that cash dividends will continue to be paid on a quarterly basis, although the declaration of any future cash dividend is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on Applied’s financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, business conditions and other factors, as well as a determination by the Board of Directors that cash dividends are in the best interests of Applied’s stockholders.
Applied has credit facilities for unsecured borrowings in various currencies of up to $1.6$1.6 billion,, of which $1.5 billion is comprised of a committed revolving credit agreement (Revolving Credit Agreement) with a group of banksbanks. Applied entered into the Revolving Credit Agreement in February 2020, which replaced Applied’s prior $1.5 billion revolving credit agreement that iswas scheduled to expire in September 2021. This agreementThe Revolving Credit Agreement includes a provision under which Applied may request an increase in the amount of the facility of up to $500 million for a total commitment of no more than $2.0 billion, subject to the receipt of commitments from one or more lenders for any such increase and other customary conditions. The Revolving Credit Agreement is scheduled to expire in February 2025, unless extended as permitted under the Revolving Credit Agreement. The Revolving Credit Agreement provides for borrowings in United States dollars atthat bear interest rates keyed tofor each advance at one of two rates selected by Applied, for each advance andplus an applicable margin, which varies according to Applied’s public debt credit ratings. The Revolving Credit Agreement includes financial and other covenants with which Applied was in compliance as of October 25, 2020.
In March 2020, Applied borrowed the full $1.5 billion available under the Revolving Credit Agreement in order to increase its cash position and preserve financial flexibility in light of the uncertainty in the global markets resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. In May 2020, Applied repaid the full $1.5 billion of borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement. Applied may at October 28, 2018. any time and from time to time, borrow, repay and reborrow under the Revolving Credit Agreement during the term of the facility. The interest rate for the March 2020 borrowing under the Revolving Credit Agreement was one-month LIBOR plus a margin of 0.875%, based on Applied’s public debt credit ratings.
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Remaining credit facilities in the amount of approximately $71$76 million are with Japanese banks. Applied’s ability to borrow under these facilities is subject to bank approval at the time of the borrowing request, and any advances will be at rates indexed to the banks’ prime reference rate denominated in Japanese yen.
In August 2019, Applied entered into a term loan credit agreement with a group of lenders. Under the agreement, the lenders have committed to make an unsecured term loan to Applied of up to $2.0 billion to finance in part Applied’s planned acquisition of all outstanding shares of Kokusai Electric, to pay related transaction fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes. The commitments of the lenders to make the term loan will terminate if the transactions contemplated by the Share Purchase Agreement are not consummated on or before December 30, 2020. The term loan, if advanced, will bear interest at one of two rates selected by Applied, plus an applicable margin, which varies according to Applied’s public debt credit ratings, and must be repaid in full on the third anniversary of the funding date of the term loan.
No amounts were outstanding under any of these facilities at both October 28, 201825, 2020 and October 29, 2017, and 27, 2019.
Applied has not utilized these credit facilities.
In fiscal 2011, Applied established a short-term commercial paper program under which Applied may issue unsecured commercial paper notes of up to a total amount $1.5 billion. AtAs of October 28, 2018 and October 29, 2017,25, 2020, Applied did not have any commercial paper outstanding but may issue commercial paper notes under this program from time to time in the future. The commercial paper program is backstopped by the Revolving Credit Agreement and borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement reduce the amount of commercial paper notes Applied can issue.

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In March 2017,May 2020, Applied issued senior unsecured notes in the$750 million aggregate principal amount of $2.21.750% senior unsecured notes due 2030 and $750 million aggregate principal amount of 2.750% senior unsecured notes due 2050, in a registered public offering. In June 2020, Applied used a portion of the net proceeds from the offering to redeem the outstanding $600 million in aggregate principal amount of its 2.625% senior unsecured notes due October 1, 2020 and $750 million in aggregate principal amount of its 4.300% senior unsecured notes due June 15, 2021, at a total aggregate redemption price of $1.4 billion. As a result, Applied recognized a $33 million loss on early extinguishment of these senior unsecured notes.
Applied had senior unsecured notes in the aggregate principal amount of $5.4$5.5 billion outstanding as of October 28, 2018. The indentures governing these notes include covenants with which Applied was in compliance at October 28, 2018. In May 2017, Applied completed the redemption25, 2020. See Note 11 of the entire outstanding $200 million in principal amount of senior notes due in October 2017. See Note 10 of Notes to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements for additional discussion of existing debt. Applied may seek to refinance its existing debt and may incur additional indebtedness depending on Applied’s capital requirements and the availability of financing.
Others
During 2018 and 2017, Applied reduced $1 million and $17 million, respectively, of its allowance for doubtful accounts as a result of an overall lower risk profile of Applied’s customers. Applied recorded a bad debt provision of $3 million in fiscal 2016. While Applied believes that its allowance for doubtful accounts at October 28, 2018 is adequate, it will continue to closely monitor customer liquidity and economic conditions.
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.Act (Tax Act). The Tax Act requires a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries payable over eight years, with eight percent due in each of the first five years starting with fiscal 2018.subsidiaries. For fiscal 2018, Applied realized tax expense of $1.1 billion associated with the Tax Act, primarily due to the transition tax. The transition tax eliminatedexpense is payable in installments over eight years, with eight percent due in each of the requirement that cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities held by certain foreign subsidiaries be subject to U.S income taxes if repatriated for U.S. operations. Accordingly, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities held by all foreign subsidiaries may be repatriated for U.S. operation without being subject to furtherfirst five years starting with fiscal 2018. As of October 25, 2020, Applied had $857 million of total payments remaining, payable in installments in the next six years. Before the Tax Act, U.S. income taxes.tax had not been provided for certain unrepatriated earnings that were considered indefinitely reinvested. Income tax is now provided for all unrepatriated earnings.
Although cash requirements will fluctuate based on the timing and extent of factors such as those discussed above, Applied’s management believes that cash generated from operations, together with the liquidity provided by existing cash balances and borrowing capability, will be sufficient to satisfy Applied’s liquidity requirements for the next 12 months. For further details regarding Applied’s operating, investing and financing activities, see the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in this report.
For details on standby letters of credit, guarantee instruments and other agreements with banks, see Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements below.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
In the ordinary course of business, Applied provides standby letters of credit or other guarantee instruments to third parties as required for certain transactions initiated by either Applied or its subsidiaries. These include agreements with various banks to facilitate subsidiary banking operations worldwide, including overdraft arrangements. As of October 28, 2018,25, 2020, the maximum potential amount of future payments that Applied could be required to make under these guarantee agreements was approximately $58$233 million. Applied has not recorded any liability in connection with these guarantee agreements beyond that required to appropriately account for the underlying transaction being guaranteed. Applied does not believe, based on historical experience and information currently available, that it is probable that any amounts will be required to be paid under these guarantee agreements.
Applied also has agreements with various banks to facilitate subsidiary banking operations worldwide, including overdraft arrangements, issuance of bank guarantees, and letters of credit. As of October 28, 2018,25, 2020, Applied has provided parent guarantees to banks for approximately $149$153 million to cover these arrangements.
Applied also has operating leases for various facilities. Total rent expense for fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $50 million, $34 million and $38 million, respectively.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes Applied’s contractual obligations as of October 28, 2018:25, 2020:
 
Payments Due by Period Payments Due by Period
Contractual ObligationsTotal 
Less Than
1 Year
 
1-3
Years
 
3-5
Years
 
More Than
5 Years
Contractual ObligationsTotalLess Than
1 Year
1-3
Years
3-5
Years
More Than
5 Years
         
(In millions) (In millions)
Debt obligations$5,350
 $
 $1,350
 $
 $4,000
Debt obligations$5,500 $— $— $700 $4,800 
Interest expense associated with debt obligations3,137
 219
 422
 342
 2,154
Interest expense associated with debt obligations3,416 205 410 409 2,392 
Operating lease obligations173
 50
 68
 33
 22
Operating lease obligations271 68 103 75 25 
Income tax from change in U.S. tax laws1
1,001
 80
 160
 160
 601
Income tax from change in U.S. tax laws1
857 82 163 357 255 
Purchase obligations2
2,044
 1,914
 115
 15
 
Purchase obligations2
2,443 2,283 143 17 — 
Other long-term liabilities3,4
20
 
 2
 2
 16
Other long-term liabilities3,4
20 — 16 
Total$11,725
 $2,263
 $2,117
 $552
 $6,793
Total$12,507 $2,638 $821 $1,560 $7,488 
______________________ 
1
Represents an estimate of a provisional tax amount for the transition tax liability associated with the deemed repatriation of accumulated foreign earnings as a result from the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law on December 22, 2017.
2
Represents Applied’s agreements to purchase goods and services consisting of Applied’s outstanding purchase orders for goods and services.
3
Other long-term liabilities in the table do not include pension, post-retirement and deferred compensation plans due to the uncertainty in the timing of future payments. Applied evaluates the need to make contributions to its pension and post-retirement benefit plans after considering the funded status of the plans, movements in the discount rate, performance of the plan assets and related tax consequences. Payments to the plans would be dependent on these factors and could vary across a wide range of amounts and time periods. Payments for deferred compensation plans are dependent on activity by participants, making the timing of payments uncertain. Information on Applied’s pension, post-retirement benefit and deferred compensation plans is presented in Note 12, Employee Benefit Plans, of the consolidated financial statements.
4
Applied’s other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets include deferred tax liabilities, gross unrecognized tax benefits and related gross interest and penalties. As of October 28, 2018, the gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits that was not expected to result in payment of cash within one year was $374 million. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions that were not expected to result in payment of cash within one year of October 28, 2018 was $26 million. At this time, Applied is unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of payments due to uncertainties in the timing of tax audit outcomes; therefore, such amounts are not included in the above contractual obligation table.

1Represents the transition tax liability associated with the deemed repatriation of accumulated foreign earnings as a result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act into law on December 22, 2017.
2Represents Applied’s agreements to purchase goods and services consisting of Applied’s outstanding purchase orders for goods and services.
3Other long-term liabilities in the table do not include pension, postretirement and deferred compensation plans due to the uncertainty in the timing of future payments. Applied evaluates the need to make contributions to its pension and postretirement benefit plans after considering the funded status of the plans, movements in the discount rate, performance of the plan assets and related tax consequences. Payments to the plans would be dependent on these factors and could vary across a wide range of amounts and time periods. Payments for deferred compensation plans are dependent on activity by participants, making the timing of payments uncertain. Information on Applied’s pension, postretirement benefit and deferred compensation plans is presented in Note 14, Employee Benefit Plans, of the consolidated financial statements.
4Applied’s other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets include deferred income tax liabilities, gross unrecognized tax benefits and related gross interest and penalties. As of October 25, 2020, the gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits that was not expected to result in payment of cash within one year was $485 million. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions that were not expected to result in payment of cash within one year of October 25, 2020 was $74 million. At this time, Applied is unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of payments due to uncertainties in the timing of tax audit outcomes; therefore, such amounts are not included in the above contractual obligation table.
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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported. Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements describes the significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements. Certain of these significant accounting policies are considered to be critical accounting policies.
A critical accounting policy is defined as one that is both material to the presentation of Applied’s consolidated financial statements and that requires management to make difficult, subjective or complex judgments that could have a material effect on Applied’s financial condition or results of operations. Specifically, these policies have the following attributes: (1) Applied is required to make assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time of the estimate; and (2) different estimates Applied could reasonably have used, or changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur, would have a material effect on Applied’s financial condition or results of operations.
Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty. Applied bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions believed to be applicable and reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates may change as new events occur, as additional information is obtained and as Applied’s operating environment changes. These changes have historically been minor and have been included in the consolidated financial statements as soon as they became known. In addition, management is periodically faced with uncertainties, the outcomes of which are not within its control and will not be known for prolonged periods of time. These uncertainties include those discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.” Based on a critical assessment of its accounting policies and the underlying judgments and uncertainties affecting the application of those policies, management believes that Applied’s consolidated financial statements are fairly stated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and provide a meaningful presentation of Applied’s financial condition and results of operations.
Management believes that the following are critical accounting policies and estimates:
Revenue Recognition
Applied recognizes revenue when all four revenue recognition criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurredpromised goods or services have been rendered; sales price is fixed(performance obligations) are transferred to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which Applied expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or determinable; and collectability is probable. Each sale arrangement may contain commercial terms that differ from other arrangements. In addition,services. Applied frequently enters into contracts that contain multiple deliverables. Judgment is requiredperforms the following five steps to properly identify the accounting unitsdetermine when to recognize revenue: (1) identification of the multiple deliverable transactionscontract(s) with customers, (2) identification of the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determination of the transaction price, (4) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) recognition of revenue when, or as, a performance obligation is satisfied. Management uses judgment to identify performance obligations within a contract and to determine the mannerwhether multiple promised goods or services in which revenuea contract should be allocated among the accounting units. Moreover, judgmentaccounted for separately or as a group. Judgment is also used in interpreting the commercial terms and determining when all criteriatransfer of revenue recognition have been met in order for revenue recognitioncontrol occurs. Moreover, judgment is used to occur inestimate the appropriate accounting period. Whilecontract’s transaction price and allocate it to each performance obligation. Any material changes in the identification of performance obligations, determination and allocation of the estimated salestransaction price betweento performance obligations, and determination of when transfer of control occurs to the units of accounting will not affect the amount of total revenue recognized for a particular sales arrangement, any material changes in these allocationscustomer, could impact the timing and amount of revenue recognition, which could have a material effect on Applied’s financial condition and results of operations.
Warranty Costs
Applied provides for the estimated cost of warranty when revenue is recognized. Estimated warranty costs are determined by analyzing specific product, current and historical configuration statistics and regional warranty support costs. Applied’s warranty obligation is affected by product and component failure rates, material usage and labor costs incurred in correcting product failures during the warranty period. As Applied’s customer engineers and process support engineers are highly trained and deployed globally, labor availability is a significant factor in determining labor costs. The quantity and availability of critical replacement parts is another significant factor in estimating warranty costs. Unforeseen component failures or exceptional component performance can also result in changes to warranty costs. If actual warranty costs differ substantially from Applied’s estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required, which could have a material adverse effect on Applied’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
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Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Applied maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. This allowance is based on historical experience, credit evaluations, specific customer collection history and any customer-specific issues Applied has identified. Changes in circumstances, such as an unexpected material adverse change in a major customer’s ability to meet its financial obligation to Applied or its payment trends, may require Applied to further adjust its estimates of the recoverability of amounts due to Applied, which could have a material adverse effect on Applied’s business, financial condition and results of operations.


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Inventory Valuation
Inventories are generally stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. The carrying value of inventory is reduced for estimated obsolescence by the difference between its cost and the estimated net realizable value based upon assumptions about future demand. Applied evaluates the inventory carrying value for potential excess and obsolete inventory exposures by analyzing historical and anticipated demand. In addition, inventories are evaluated for potential obsolescence due to the effect of known and anticipated engineering change orders and new products. If actual demand were to be substantially lower than estimated, additional adjustments for excess or obsolete inventory may be required, which could have a material adverse effect on Applied’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Applied reviews goodwill and intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable, and also annually reviews goodwill and intangibles with indefinite lives for impairment. Intangible assets, such as purchased technology, are generally recorded in connection with a business acquisition. The value assigned to intangible assets is usually based on estimates and judgments regarding expectations for the success and life cycle of products and technology acquired. If actual product acceptance differs significantly from the estimates, Applied may be required to record an impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of the reporting unit to its estimated fair value.
To test goodwill for impairment, Applied first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If it is concluded that this is the case, Applied then performs the two-step goodwill impairment test. Otherwise, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. Under the two-step goodwill impairment test, Applied would in the first step compare the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, Applied would then perform the second step of the impairment test in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If Applied determines that the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, Applied would record an impairment charge equal to the difference.
Applied determines the fair value of each reporting unit based on a weighting of an income and a market approach. Applied bases the fair value estimates on assumptions that it believes to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. Under the income approach, Applied estimates the fair value based on discounted cash flow method.
The estimates used in the impairment testing are consistent with the discrete forecasts that Applied uses to manage its business, and considers any significant developments during the period. Under the discounted cash flow method, cash flows beyond the discrete forecasts are estimated using a terminal growth rate, which considers the long-term earnings growth rate specific to the reporting units. The estimated future cash flows are discounted to present value using each reporting unit’s weighted average cost of capital. The weighted average cost of capital measures a reporting unit’s cost of debt and equity financing weighted by the percentage of debt and equity in a reporting unit’s target capital structure. In addition, the weighted average cost of capital is derived using both known and estimated market metrics, and is adjusted to reflect both the timing and risks associated with the estimated cash flows. The tax rate used in the discounted cash flow method is the median tax rate of comparable companies and reflects Applied’s current international structure, which is consistent with the market participant perspective. Under the market approach, Applied uses the guideline company method which applies market multiples to forecasted revenues and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Applied uses market multiples that are consistent with comparable publicly-traded companies and considers each reporting unit’s size, growth and profitability relative to its comparable companies.
Management uses significant judgment when assessing goodwill for potential impairment, especially in emerging markets. Indicators of potential impairment include, but are not limited to, challenging economic conditions, an unfavorable industry or economic environment or other severe decline in market conditions. Such conditions could have the effect of changing one of the critical assumptions or estimates used for the fair value calculation, resulting in an unexpected goodwill impairment charge, which could have a material adverse effect on Applied’s business, financial condition and results of operations. See Note 910 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional discussion of goodwill impairment.

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Income Taxes
Applied’s provision for income taxes and effective tax rate are affected by the geographical composition of pre-tax income which includes jurisdictions with differing tax rates, conditional reduced tax rates and other income tax incentives. It is also affected by events that are not consistent from period to period, such as changes to income tax laws and the resolution of prior years’ income tax filings.
Applied recognizes a current tax liability for the estimated amount of income tax payable on tax returns for the current fiscal year. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets are offset by a valuation allowance to the extent it is more likely than not that they are not expected to be realized.
Applied recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized from such positions are estimated based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Any changes in judgment related to uncertain tax positions are recognized in Applied’s provision for income taxes in the quarter in which such change occurs. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized in Applied’s provision for income taxes.
The calculation of Applied’s provision for income taxes and effective tax rate involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with Applied’s expectations could have an adverse material impact on Applied’s results of operations and financial condition.


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Non-GAAP Adjusted Financial Results
Management uses non-GAAP adjusted financial measures to evaluate the Company’s operating and financial performance and for planning purposes, and as performance measures in its executive compensation program. Applied believes these measures enhance an overall understanding of its performance and investors’ ability to review the Company’s business from the same perspective as the Company’s management and facilitate comparisons of this period’s results with prior periods on a consistent basis by excluding items that management does not believe are indicative of Applied's ongoing operating performance.
The non-GAAP adjusted financial measures presented below are adjusted to exclude the impact of certain costs, expenses, gains and losses, including certain items related to mergers and acquisitions; restructuring charges and any associated adjustments; certain incremental expenses related to COVID-19; impairments of assets, or investments; gain or loss on sale of strategic investments; loss on early extinguishment of debt; certain income tax items and other discrete adjustments. Additionally, fiscal 2018 non-GAAP results exclude estimated discrete income tax expense items associated with recent U.S. tax legislation. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP are provided in the financial tables presented below. There are limitations in using non-GAAP financial measures because the non-GAAP financial measures are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, and may exclude certain items that may have a material impact upon our reported financial results. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

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The following tables present a reconciliation of the GAAP and non-GAAP adjusted consolidated results for the past three fiscal years:


APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED RESULTS
(In millions, except percentages)202020192018
Non-GAAP Adjusted Gross Profit
Reported gross profit - GAAP basis$7,692 $6,386 $7,517 
Certain items associated with acquisitions1
37 37 179 
Certain incremental expenses related to COVID-192
23 — 
Non-GAAP adjusted gross profit$7,752 $6,423 $7,696 
Non-GAAP adjusted gross margin45.1 %44.0 %46.1 %
Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income
Reported operating income - GAAP basis$4,365 $3,350 $4,491 
Certain items associated with acquisitions1
54 55 197 
Acquisition integration and deal costs80 22 
Certain incremental expenses related to COVID-192
30 — 
Non-GAAP adjusted operating income$4,529 $3,427 $4,693 
Non-GAAP adjusted operating margin26.3 %23.5 %28.1 %
Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income
Reported net income - GAAP basis$3,619 $2,706 $3,038 
Certain items associated with acquisitions1
54 55 197 
Acquisition integration and deal costs80 22 
Certain incremental expenses related to COVID-192
30 — — 
Realized loss (gain) on strategic investments, net(1)(6)(25)
Unrealized loss (gain) on strategic investments, net(8)(30)— 
Loss on early extinguishment of debt33 — 
Income tax effect of changes in applicable U.S. tax laws3
— (24)1,112 
Income tax effects related to intra-entity intangible asset transfers114 62 — 
Resolution of prior years’ income tax filings and other tax items(41)95 (26)
Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments4
(35)(5)(7)
Non-GAAP adjusted net income$3,845 $2,875 $4,294 
(In millions, except percentages) 2018 2017 2016
       
Non-GAAP Adjusted Gross Profit      
Reported gross profit - GAAP basis $7,817
 $6,532
 $4,511
Certain items associated with acquisitions1
 179
 172
 167
Inventory reversals related to restructuring2
 
 
 (2)
Non-GAAP adjusted gross profit $7,996
 $6,704
 $4,676
Non-GAAP adjusted gross margin 46.3% 46.1% 43.2%
Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income      
Reported operating income - GAAP basis $4,796
 $3,868
 $2,152
Certain items associated with acquisitions1
 197
 191
 188
Acquisition integration and deal costs 5
 3
 2
Reversals related to restructuring, net2
 
 
 (3)
Other gains, losses or charges, net 
 (12) 8
Non-GAAP adjusted operating income $4,998
 $4,050
 $2,347
Non-GAAP adjusted operating margin 29.0% 27.9% 21.7%
Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income      
Reported net income - GAAP basis4
 $3,313
 $3,434
 $1,721
Certain items associated with acquisitions1
 197
 191
 188
Acquisition integration and deal costs 5
 3
 2
Reversals related to restructuring, net2
 
 
 (3)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt 
 5
 5
Impairment (gain on sale) of strategic investments, net (25) (3) 3
Other gains, losses or charges, net 
 (12) 8
Income tax effect of changes in applicable U.S. tax laws3
 1,112
 
 
Resolution of prior years’ income tax filings, reinstatement of federal R&D tax credit and other tax items (26) (79) 45
Income tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments5
 (7) (14) (19)
Non-GAAP adjusted net income $4,569
 $3,525
 $1,950

1These items are incremental charges attributable to completed acquisitions, consisting of amortization of purchased intangible assets.
2Results for fiscal 2016 included adjustments associated withTemporary incremental employee compensation during the cost reductions in the solar business.COVID-19 pandemic.
3
3Charges to income tax provision related to a one-time transition tax and a decrease in U.S. deferred tax assets as a result of the recent U.S. tax legislation.
4Amounts for fiscal 2017 included the recognition of the previously unrecognized foreign tax credits.
5Adjustment to provision for income taxes related to non-GAAP adjustments reflected in income before income taxes.

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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED RESULTS


(In millions, except per share amounts)202020192018
Non-GAAP Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share
Reported earnings per diluted share - GAAP basis$3.92 $2.86 $2.96 
Certain items associated with acquisitions0.05 0.05 0.18 
Acquisition integration and deal costs0.07 0.02 
Certain incremental expenses related to COVID-190.03 — 
Realized loss (gain) on strategic investments, net— — (0.02)
Unrealized loss (gain) on strategic investments, net(0.01)(0.03)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt0.03 — 
Income tax effect of change in applicable U.S. tax laws— (0.03)1.08 
Income tax effects related to intra-entity intangible asset transfers0.12 0.07 
Resolution of prior years’ income tax filings and other tax items(0.04)0.10 (0.02)
Non-GAAP adjusted earnings per diluted share$4.17 $3.04 $4.18
Weighted average number of diluted shares9239451,026
(In millions, except per share amounts) 2018 2017 2016
     
Non-GAAP Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share      
Reported earnings per diluted share - GAAP basis $3.23
 $3.17
 $1.54
Certain items associated with acquisitions 0.18
 0.16
 0.16
Impairment (gain on sale) of strategic investments, net (0.02) 
 
Income tax effect of change in applicable U.S. tax laws 1.08
 
 
Other gains, losses or charges, net 
 (0.01) 0.01
Resolution of prior years’ income tax filings and other tax items (0.02) (0.07) 0.04
Non-GAAP adjusted earnings per diluted share $4.45
 $3.25
 $1.75
Weighted average number of diluted shares 1,026
 1,084
 1,116




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The following table presents a reconciliation of the GAAP and non-GAAP adjusted segment results for the past three fiscal years:


APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP ADJUSTED RESULTS
(In millions, except percentages)202020192018
Semiconductor Systems Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income
Reported operating income - GAAP basis$3,714 $2,464 $3,441 
Certain items associated with acquisitions1
41 43 183 
Acquisition integration costs— 
Certain incremental expenses related to COVID-192
20 — 
Non-GAAP adjusted operating income$3,778 $2,507 $3,624 
Non-GAAP adjusted operating margin33.2 %27.8 %34.3 %
AGS Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income
Reported operating income - GAAP basis$1,127 $1,101 $1,102 
Acquisition integration costs— — 
Certain incremental expenses related to COVID-192
— 
Non-GAAP adjusted operating income$1,135 $1,101 $1,104 
Non-GAAP adjusted operating margin27.3 %28.6 %29.4 %
Display and Adjacent Markets Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income
Reported operating income - GAAP basis$291 $294 $574 
Certain items associated with acquisitions1
12 12 14 
Acquisition integration costs— 
Certain incremental expenses related to COVID-192
— — 
Non-GAAP adjusted operating income$304 $307 $589 
Non-GAAP adjusted operating margin18.9 %18.6 %25.6 %
(In millions, except percentages) 2018 2017 2016
       
Semiconductor Systems Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income      
Reported operating income - GAAP basis $3,634
 $3,173
 $1,807
Certain items associated with acquisitions1
 183
 184
 184
Non-GAAP adjusted operating income $3,817
 $3,357
 $1,991
Non-GAAP adjusted operating margin 35.0% 35.3% 29.0%
       
AGS Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income      
Reported operating income - GAAP basis $1,102
 $817
 $682
Certain items associated with acquisitions1
 
 1
 1
Acquisition integration costs 2
 3
 
Non-GAAP adjusted operating income $1,104
 $821
 $683
Non-GAAP adjusted operating margin 29.4% 27.2% 26.4%
       
Display and Adjacent Markets Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income      
Reported operating income - GAAP basis $679
 $502
 $245
Certain items associated with acquisitions1
 14
 5
 
Acquisition integration costs 1
 
 
Non-GAAP adjusted operating income $694
 $507
 $245
Non-GAAP adjusted operating margin 27.8% 26.7% 20.3%
       


These items are incremental charges attributable to completed acquisitions, consisting of amortization of purchased intangible assets.
2Temporary incremental employee compensation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Note: The reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP adjusted segment results above does not include certain revenues, costs of products sold and operating expenses that are reported within corporate and other and included in consolidated operating income.

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Item 7A:Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 7A:       Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Applied is exposed to interest rate risk related to its investment portfolio and debt issuances. Applied’s investment portfolio includes fixed-income securities with a fair value of approximately $2.0$1.7 billion at October 28, 2018.25, 2020. These securities are subject to interest rate risk and will decline in value if interest rates increase. Based on Applied’s investment portfolio at October 28, 2018,25, 2020, an immediate 100 basis point increase in interest rates would result in a decrease in the fair value of the portfolio of approximately $26$25 million. While an increase in interest rates reduces the fair value of the investment portfolio, Applied will not realize the losses in the consolidated statement of operations unless the individual fixed-income securities are sold prior to recovery or the loss is determined to be other-than-temporary. At October 28, 2018,25, 2020, the aggregate principal andof long-term senior unsecured notes issued by Applied was $5.5 billion with an estimated fair values amounts of long-term debt issued by Applied were both $5.4$6.6 billion. A hypothetical decrease in interest rates of 100 basis points would result in an increase in the fair value of Applied’s long-term debt issuances of approximately $497$798 million at October 28, 2018.25, 2020.
Certain operations of Applied are conducted in foreign currencies, such as Japanese yen, euro, Israeli shekel, euro and Taiwanese dollar. Applied enters into currency forward exchange and option contracts to hedge a portion of, but not all, existing and anticipated foreign currency denominated transactions generally expected to occur within the next 24 months. Gains and losses on these contracts are generally recognized in income at the time that the related transactions being hedged are recognized. Because the effect of movements in currency exchange rates on currency forward exchange and option contracts generally offsets the related effect on the underlying items being hedged, these financial instruments are not expected to subject Applied to risks that would otherwise result from changes in currency exchange rates. Applied does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.


Item 8:Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 8:      Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The consolidated financial statements required by this Item are set forth on the pages indicated at Item 15(a).


Item 9:Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Item 9:      Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.



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Item 9A:Controls and Procedures
Item 9A:      Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, management of Applied conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of Applied’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of Applied’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, Applied’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that Applied’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report in ensuring that information required to be disclosed was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by Applied in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Applied’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Under the supervision and with the participation of Applied’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, management of Applied conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of Applied’s internal control over financial reporting based upon the framework in “Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013)” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that evaluation, Applied’s management concluded that Applied’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of October 28, 2018.25, 2020.
KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K and, as part of the audit, has issued a report, included herein, on the effectiveness of Applied’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 28, 2018.25, 2020.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Applied continues to maintain workplace flexibility such as working remotely where possible to reduce the number of people who are on campus each day. Business continuity plans are in effect in order to mitigate potential impact on Applied’s control environment and its operating and disclosure controls and procedures. The design of business continuity plans, which include remote access to secure data when needed, allow for remote and reliable execution of Applied’s operating and disclosure controls and procedures.
Applied evaluated the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on its internal control over financial reporting. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018,2020, there were no changes in the internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Applied’s internal control over financial reporting.
Inherent Limitations of Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
It should be noted that any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system will be met. In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events.
 
Item 9B:Other Information
Item 9B:      Other Information
None



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PART III


Item 10:Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Item 10:      Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Except for the information regarding executive officers required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K (which is included in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, under “Executive Officers of the Registrant”“Information about our Executive Officers”) and code of ethics (which is set forth below), the information required by this item will be provided in accordance with Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K no later than February 25, 2019.22, 2021.
Applied has implemented the Standards of Business Conduct, a code of ethics with which every person who works for Applied and every member of the Board of Directors is expected to comply. If any substantive amendments are made to the Standards of Business Conduct or any waiver is granted, including any implicit waiver, from a provision of the code to Applied’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer or Chief Accounting Officer, Applied will disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver on its website or in a report on Form 8-K. The above information, including the Standards of Business Conduct, is available on Applied’s website under the Corporate Governance section at http://www.appliedmaterials.com/company/investor-relations/governance. This website address is intended to be an inactive, textual reference only. None of the materials on, or accessible through, this website is part of this report or is incorporated by reference herein.
 
Item 11:Executive Compensation
Item 11:      Executive Compensation
The information required by this Item will be provided in accordance with Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K no later than February 25, 2019.22, 2021.



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Item 12:Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 12:      Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Except for the information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans (which is set forth below), the information required by this Item will be provided in accordance with Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K no later than February 25, 2019.22, 2021.
The following table summarizes information with respect to equity awards under Applied’s equity compensation plans as of October 28, 2018:25, 2020:
Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
Plan Category
(a)
Number of
Securities to be
Issued Upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options,
Warrants and
Rights(1)
  
(b)
Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and
Rights(2)
 
(c)
Number of Securities
Available for Future
Issuance Under Equity
Compensation Plans
(Excluding Securities
Reflected in
Column(a))
 Plan Category(a)
Number of
Securities to be
Issued Upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options,
Warrants and
Rights(1)
 (b)
Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and
Rights(2)
(c)
Number of Securities
Available for Future
Issuance Under Equity
Compensation Plans
(Excluding Securities
Reflected in
Column(a))
 
      
(In millions, except prices)  (In millions, except prices) 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders20
   $15.06
 94
(3) 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders15   $— 63 (3)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
(4) 
 $7.27
 4
(5) 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders— $— (4)
Total20
   $15.02
 98
  Total15   $— 66   
 
(1)Includes only options, restricted stock units and performance shares outstanding under Applied’s equity compensation plans, as no stock warrants or other rights were outstanding as of October 28, 2018.
(2)The weighted average exercise price calculation does not take into account any restricted stock units or performance shares.
(3)Includes 13 million shares of Applied common stock available for future issuance under the Applied Materials, Inc. Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan. Of these 13 million shares, 1 million are subject to purchase during the purchase period in effect as of October 28, 2018.
(4)Includes options to purchase 5 thousand shares of Applied common stock assumed through various mergers and acquisitions, after giving effect to the applicable exchange ratios. The assumed options had a weighted average exercise price of $7.27 per share. No further shares are available for issuance under the plans under which these assumed awards were granted.
(5)Includes 4 million shares of Applied common stock available for future issuance under the Applied Materials, Inc. Stock Purchase Plan for Offshore Employees. Of these 4 million shares, 1 million are subject to purchase during the purchase period in effect as of October 28, 2018.

(1)Includes only options, restricted stock units and performance shares outstanding under Applied’s equity compensation plans, as no stock warrants or other rights were outstanding as of October 25, 2020.
(2)The weighted average exercise price calculation does not take into account any restricted stock units or performance shares.
(3)Includes 7 million shares of Applied common stock available for future issuance under the Applied Materials, Inc. Employees’ Stock Purchase Plan. Of these 7 million shares, 1 million are subject to purchase during the purchase period in effect as of October 25, 2020.
(4)Includes 3 million shares of Applied common stock available for future issuance under the Applied Materials, Inc. Stock Purchase Plan for Offshore Employees. Of these 3 million shares, 1 million are subject to purchase during the purchase period in effect as of October 25, 2020.

Applied has the following equity compensation plans that have not been approved by stockholders:
Stock Purchase Plan for Offshore Employees. The Stock Purchase Plan for Offshore Employees (the Offshore ESPP) was adopted effective as of October 16, 1995 for the benefit of employees of Applied’s participating affiliates. The Offshore ESPP provides for the grant of options to purchase shares of Applied common stock through payroll deductions pursuant to one or more offerings. The administrator of the Offshore ESPP (the Board of Directors of Applied or a committee appointed by the Board) determines the terms and conditions of all options prior to the start of an offering, including the purchase price of shares, the number of shares covered by the option and when the option may be exercised. All options granted as part of an offering must be granted on the same date. As of October 28, 2018,25, 2020, a total of 3639 million shares have been authorized for issuance under the Offshore ESPP, and 43 million shares remain available for issuance.
Applied Materials Profit Sharing Scheme. The Applied Materials Profit Sharing Scheme was adopted effective July 3, 1996 to enable employees of Applied Materials Ireland Limited and its participating subsidiaries to purchase Applied common stock at 100% of fair market value on the purchase date. Under this plan, eligible employees may elect to forego a certain portion of their base salary and certain bonuses they have earned and that otherwise would be payable in cash to purchase shares of Applied common stock at full fair market value. Since the eligible employees pay full fair market value for the shares, there is no reserved amount of shares under this plan and, accordingly, the table above does not include any set number of shares available for future issuance under the plan. 

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Item 13:Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Item 13:      Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this Item will be provided in accordance with Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K no later than February 25, 2019.22, 2021.
 
Item 14:Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Item 14:      Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this Item will be provided in accordance with Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K no later than February 25, 2019.22, 2021.



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PART IV


Item 15:Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
Item 15:      Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
 
Page
Number
(1)Financial Statements:
Page
Number
(1)Financial Statements:
(2)Exhibits:
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.




Item 16:Form 10-K Summary
Item 16:      Form 10-K Summary
None.





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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
TheTo the Stockholders and Board of Directors and Stockholders
Applied Materials, Inc.:


Opinion on the ConsolidatedFinancial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Applied Materials, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of October 28, 201825, 2020 and October 29, 2017,27, 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended October 28, 2018,25, 2020, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of October 28, 201825, 2020 and October 29, 2017,27, 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended October 28, 2018,25, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of October 28, 2018,25, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated December 13, 201811, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Changes in Accounting Principles
As discussed in note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for leases as of October 28, 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, Leases. As discussed in note 15 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory as of October 29, 2018 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-16, Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidatedfinancial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Evaluation of net realizable value adjustments to inventories for excess or obsolescence
As discussed in notes 1 and 8 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has inventories with a carrying value of $3,904 million as of October 25, 2020. The Company adjusts inventory carrying value for estimated excess or obsolescence equal to the difference between cost of inventory and the estimated net realizable value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual demand were to be substantially lower than estimated, there could be a significant adverse impact on the carrying value of inventories and results of operations.
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We identified the evaluation of net realizable value adjustments to inventories for excess or obsolescence as a critical audit matter. Evaluation of the Company’s estimates regarding forecasted sales and inventory consumption involved a high degree of auditor judgment.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Company’s process for determining net realizable value adjustments for inventory excess or obsolescence, including controls related to estimating forecasted sales and inventory consumption. We evaluated certain inventories for excess or obsolescence by comparing the Company’s sales and inventory consumption forecast to historical sales, historical inventory usage, known customer orders, and industry outlook reports. In addition, for certain inventories, we compared the Company’s historical estimates of net realizable value adjustments for excess and obsolescence to the actual physical inventory disposals to evaluate the Company’s ability to accurately estimate the net realizable value adjustments.



/S/    KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2004.
Santa Clara, California
December 13, 2018

11, 2020
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
TheTo the Stockholders and Board of Directors and Stockholders
Applied Materials, Inc.:


Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited Applied Materials, Inc. and subsidiariessubsidiaries’ (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of October 28, 2018,25, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of October 28, 2018,25, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of October 28, 201825, 2020 and October 29, 2017,27, 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended October 28, 2018,25, 2020, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated December 13, 201811, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting in Item 9A.Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

/s/    KPMG LLP
KPMG LLP


Santa Clara, California
December 13, 2018

11, 2020
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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per share amounts)
 
Fiscal Year202020192018
 
Net sales$17,202 $14,608 $16,705 
Cost of products sold9,510 8,222 9,188 
Gross profit7,692 6,386 7,517 
Operating expenses:
Research, development and engineering2,234 2,054 2,022 
Marketing and selling526 521 521 
General and administrative567 461 483 
Total operating expenses3,327 3,036 3,026 
Income from operations4,365 3,350 4,491 
Interest expense240 237 234 
Interest and other income, net41 156 139 
Income before income taxes4,166 3,269 4,396 
Provision for income taxes547 563 1,358 
Net income$3,619 $2,706 $3,038 
Earnings per share:
Basic$3.95 $2.89 $3.00 
Diluted$3.92 $2.86 $2.96 
Weighted average number of shares:
Basic916 937 1,013 
Diluted923 945 1,026 
Fiscal Year2018 2017 2016
      
Net sales$17,253
 $14,537
 $10,825
Cost of products sold9,436
 8,005
 6,314
Gross profit7,817
 6,532
 4,511
Operating expenses:     
Research, development and engineering2,019
 1,774
 1,540
Marketing and selling521
 456
 429
General and administrative481
 434
 390
Total operating expenses3,021
 2,664
 2,359
Income from operations4,796
 3,868
 2,152
Interest expense234
 198
 155
Interest and other income, net132
 61
 16
Income before income taxes4,694
 3,731
 2,013
Provision for income taxes1,381
 297
 292
Net income$3,313
 $3,434
 $1,721
Earnings per share:     
Basic$3.27
 $3.20
 $1.56
Diluted$3.23
 $3.17
 $1.54
Weighted average number of shares:     
Basic1,013
 1,073
 1,107
Diluted1,026
 1,084
 1,116






See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In millions)


Fiscal Year2018 2017 2016Fiscal Year202020192018
     
Net income$3,313
 $3,434
 $1,721
Net income$3,619 $2,706 $3,038 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:     Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Change in unrealized net gain on investments(51) 23
 16
Change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investmentsChange in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments21 (51)
Change in unrealized net loss on derivative instruments4
 7
 (3)Change in unrealized net loss on derivative instruments(117)(7)
Change in defined and postretirement benefit plans(17) 21
 (36)Change in defined and postretirement benefit plans(11)(51)(17)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(64) 51
 (23)
Change in cumulative translation adjustmentsChange in cumulative translation adjustments(1)
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxOther comprehensive loss, net of tax(119)(38)(64)
Comprehensive income$3,249
 $3,485
 $1,698
Comprehensive income$3,500 $2,668 $2,974 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.



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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except per share amounts)
 


October 28,
2018
 October 29,
2017
October 25,
2020
October 27,
2019
   
ASSETSASSETSASSETS
Current assets:   Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$3,440
 $5,010
Cash and cash equivalents$5,351 $3,129 
Short-term investments590
 2,266
Short-term investments387 489 
Accounts receivable, net2,565
 2,338
Accounts receivable, net2,963 2,533 
Inventories3,722
 2,930
Inventories3,904 3,474 
Other current assets430
 374
Other current assets764 581 
Total current assets10,747
 12,918
Total current assets13,369 10,206 
Long-term investments1,568
 1,143
Long-term investments1,538 1,703 
Property, plant and equipment, net1,407
 1,066
Property, plant and equipment, net1,604 1,529 
Goodwill3,368
 3,368
Goodwill3,466 3,399 
Purchased technology and other intangible assets, net213
 412
Purchased technology and other intangible assets, net153 156 
Deferred income taxes and other assets470
 512
Deferred income taxes and other assets2,223 2,031 
Total assets$17,773
 $19,419
Total assets$22,353 $19,024 
   
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITYLIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITYLIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:   Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debtCurrent portion of long-term debt$$600 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses$2,721
 $2,450
Accounts payable and accrued expenses3,138 2,511 
Customer deposits and deferred revenue1,347
 1,665
Contract liabilitiesContract liabilities1,321 1,336 
Total current liabilities4,068
 4,115
Total current liabilities4,459 4,447 
Long-term debt5,309
 5,304
Long-term debt, net of current portionLong-term debt, net of current portion5,448 4,713 
Income taxes payable1,254
 392
Income taxes payable1,206 1,275 
Other liabilities303
 259
Other liabilities662 375 
Total liabilities10,934
 10,070
Total liabilities11,775 10,810 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
Stockholders’ equity:   Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock: $.01 par value per share; 1 shares authorized; no shares issued
 
Common stock: $.01 par value per share; 2,500 shares authorized; 967 and 1,060 shares outstanding at 2018 and 2017, respectively10
 11
Preferred stock: $0.01 par value per share; 1 shares authorized; 0 shares issuedPreferred stock: $0.01 par value per share; 1 shares authorized; 0 shares issued
Common stock: $0.01 par value per share; 2,500 shares authorized; 914 and 916 shares outstanding at 2020 and 2019, respectivelyCommon stock: $0.01 par value per share; 2,500 shares authorized; 914 and 916 shares outstanding at 2020 and 2019, respectively
Additional paid-in capital7,274
 7,056
Additional paid-in capital7,904 7,595 
Retained earnings20,874
 18,258
Retained earnings27,209 24,386 
Treasury stock: 1,019 and 917 shares at 2018 and 2017, respectively(21,194) (15,912)
Treasury stock: 1,091 and 1,079 shares at 2020 and 2019, respectivelyTreasury stock: 1,091 and 1,079 shares at 2020 and 2019, respectively(24,245)(23,596)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(125) (64)Accumulated other comprehensive loss(299)(180)
Total stockholders’ equity6,839
 9,349
Total stockholders’ equity10,578 8,214 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$17,773
 $19,419
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$22,353 $19,024 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In millions)


Common StockAdditional
Paid-In
Capital
Retained
Earnings (b)
Treasury StockAccumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Total
SharesAmountSharesAmount
Balance at October 29, 20171,060 $11 $7,056 $18,539 917 $(15,912)$(64)$9,630 
Adoption of new accounting standards (a)— — — (3)— — — 
Net income— — — 3,038 — — — 3,038 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax— — — — — — (64)(64)
Dividends declared
($0.70 per common share)
— — — (694)— — — (694)
Share-based compensation— — 258 — — — — 258 
Issuance under stock plans— (40)— — — — (40)
Common stock repurchases(102)(1)— — 102 (5,282)— (5,283)
Balance at October 28, 2018967 $10 $7,274 $20,880 1,019 $(21,194)$(125)$6,845 
Adoption of new accounting standards (c)— — — 1,570 — — (17)1,553 
Net income— — — 2,706 — — — 2,706 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax— — — — — — (38)(38)
Dividends declared
($0.83 per common share)
— — — (770)— — — (770)
Share-based compensation— — 263 — — — — 263 
Issuance under stock plans— 58 — — — — 58 
Common stock repurchases(60)(1)— — 60 (2,402)— (2,403)
Balance at October 27, 2019916 $$7,595 $24,386 1,079 $(23,596)$(180)$8,214 
Net income— — — 3,619 — — — 3,619 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax— — — — — — (119)(119)
Dividends declared
($0.87 per common share)
— — — (796)— — — (796)
Share-based compensation— — 307 — — — — 307 
Issuance under stock plans10 — — — — — 
Common stock repurchases(12)— — — 12 (649)— (649)
Balance at October 25, 2020914 $$7,904 $27,209 1,091 $(24,245)$(299)$10,578 
 Common Stock 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 Treasury Stock 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 Total
 Shares Amount   Shares Amount  
                
Balance at October 25, 20151,160
 $11
 $6,575
 $13,967
 793
 $(12,848) $(92) $7,613
Net income
 
 
 1,721
 
 
 
 1,721
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 (23) (23)
Dividends
 
 
 (436) 
 
 
 (436)
Share-based compensation
 
 201
 
 
 
 
 201
Issuance under stock plans, net of a tax benefit of $23 and other14
 
 33
 
 
 
 
 33
Common stock repurchases(96) 
 
 
 96
 (1,892) 
 (1,892)
Balance at October 30, 20161,078
 $11
 $6,809
 $15,252
 889
 $(14,740) $(115) $7,217
Net income
 
 
 3,434
 
 
 
 3,434
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 51
 51
Dividends
 
 
 (428) 
 
 
 (428)
Share-based compensation
 
 220
 
 
 
 
 220
Issuance under stock plans, net of a tax benefit of $55 and other10
 
 27
 
 
 
 
 27
Common stock repurchases(28) 
 
 
 28
 (1,172) 
 (1,172)
Balance at October 29, 20171,060
 $11
 $7,056
 $18,258
 917
 $(15,912) $(64) $9,349
Adoption of new accounting standard (a)
 
 
 (3) 
 
 3
 
Net income
 
 
 3,313
 
 
 
 3,313
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
 (64) (64)
Dividends
 
 
 (694) 
 
 
 (694)
Share-based compensation
 
 258
 
 
 
 
 258
Issuance under stock plans9
 
 (40) 
 
 
 
 (40)
Common stock repurchases(102) (1) 
 
 102
 (5,282) 
 (5,283)
Balance at October 28, 2018967
 $10
 $7,274
 $20,874
 1,019
 $(21,194) $(125) $6,839
(a) - Represents the reclassification adjustment related to the early adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-02 Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.See Note 1.

(b) - Retained earnings balance as of October 29, 2017 and October 28, 2018 included increases of $281 million and $6 million, respectively, related to the adoption of the standard related to revenue recognition.

(c) - Represents the adjustment related to the adoption of Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2016-01 Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities and ASU 2016-16 Income Tax (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory.













See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
Fiscal Year2018 2017 2016Fiscal Year202020192018
     
Cash flows from operating activities:     Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income$3,313
 $3,434
 $1,721
Net income$3,619 $2,706 $3,038 
Adjustments required to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:     Adjustments required to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization457
 407
 389
Depreciation and amortization376 363 457 
Deferred income taxes94
 (11) 21
Deferred income taxes80 49 71 
Other4
 (9) 38
Other60 (19)
Share-based compensation258
 220
 201
Share-based compensation307 263 258 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of amounts acquired:     Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of amounts acquired:
Accounts receivable(226) (37) (542)Accounts receivable(427)(207)16 
Inventories(792) (879) (216)Inventories(421)248 (1,014)
Other current and non-current assets(93) (157) 30
Other current and non-current assets(161)(86)(199)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses179
 370
 184
Accounts payable and accrued expenses327 (247)170 
Customer deposits and deferred revenue(318) 289
 611
Contract liabilitiesContract liabilities(16)135 75 
Income taxes payable886
 121
 173
Income taxes payable(10)44 886 
Other liabilities25
 41
 (44)Other liabilities70 (2)25 
Cash provided by operating activities3,787
 3,789
 2,566
Cash provided by operating activities3,804 3,247 3,787 
Cash flows from investing activities:     Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures(622) (345) (253)Capital expenditures(422)(441)(622)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired(6) (68) (16)Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired(107)(28)(6)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments3,276
 2,743
 1,234
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments1,754 1,940 3,276 
Purchases of investments(2,077) (4,856) (1,390)Purchases of investments(1,355)(1,914)(2,077)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities571
 (2,526) (425)Cash provided by (used in) investing activities(130)(443)571 
Cash flows from financing activities:     Cash flows from financing activities:
Debt borrowings, net of issuance costs
 2,176
 
Debt borrowings, net of issuance costs2,979 
Debt repayments
 (205) (1,207)Debt repayments(2,882)
Proceeds from common stock issuances124
 97
 88
Proceeds from common stock issuances174 145 124 
Common stock repurchases(5,283) (1,172) (1,892)Common stock repurchases(649)(2,403)(5,283)
Tax withholding payments for vested equity awards(164) (125) (77)Tax withholding payments for vested equity awards(172)(86)(164)
Payments of dividends to stockholders(605) (430) (444)Payments of dividends to stockholders(787)(771)(605)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities(5,928) 341
 (3,532)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(1,570) 1,604
 (1,391)
Cash and cash equivalents — beginning of year5,010
 3,406
 4,797
Cash and cash equivalents — end of year$3,440
 $5,010
 $3,406
Cash used in financing activitiesCash used in financing activities(1,337)(3,115)(5,928)
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalentsIncrease (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents2,337 (311)(1,570)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents — beginning of periodCash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents — beginning of period3,129 3,440 5,010 
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents — end of periodCash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents — end of period$5,466 $3,129 $3,440 
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalentsReconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalentsCash and cash equivalents5,351 3,129 3,440 
Restricted cash equivalents included in deferred income taxes and other assetsRestricted cash equivalents included in deferred income taxes and other assets115 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalentsTotal cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash equivalents$5,466 $3,129 $3,440 
Supplemental cash flow information:     Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash payments for income taxes$300
 $194
 $157
Cash payments for income taxes$542 $522 $300 
Cash refunds from income taxes$63
 $61
 $113
Cash refunds from income taxes$68 $22 $63 
Cash payments for interest$219
 $186
 $151
Cash payments for interest$219 $219 $219 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Note 1      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Applied Materials, Inc. and its subsidiaries (Applied or the Company) after elimination of intercompany balances and transactions. All references to a fiscal year apply to Applied’s fiscal year which ends on the last Sunday in October. Fiscal 2018, 20172020, 2019 and 20162018 contained 52 52, and 53 weeks respectively.each. Each fiscal quarter of 20182020, 2019 and 2017 contained 13 weeks. The first fiscal quarter of 2016 contained 14 weeks, while the second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal 20162018 contained 13 weeks.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, Applied evaluates its estimates, including those related to standalone selling price (SSP) related to revenue recognition, accounts receivable and sales allowances, fair values of financial instruments, inventories, intangible assets and goodwill, useful lives of intangible assets and property and equipment, fair values of share-based awards, and income taxes, among others. Applied bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.
As of October 25, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and worldwide response remains fluid. As a result, many of Applied’s estimates and assumptions are subject to increased judgment and volatility. These estimates may differ materially in future periods as the pandemic continues to evolve and additional information becomes available.
Cash Equivalents
All highly-liquid investments with a remaining maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist primarily of investments in institutional money market funds.
Investments
All of Applied’s investments, except equity investments held in privately-held companies, are classified as available-for-sale at the respective balance sheet dates. Investments classified as available-for-sale are measured and recorded at fair value based upon quoted market prices, and any temporary difference between the cost andwith changes in fair value recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of an investment is presented as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The specific identification method is used to determine the gains and losses on investments.Operations. Interest earned on cash and investments, as well as realized gains and losses on sale of securities, are included in interest and other income, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Equity investments without readily determinable fair value are measured at cost, less impairment, adjusted by observable price changes. Adjustments resulting from impairments and observable prices changes will be recorded in privately-held companies are generally accounted for under the cost methodConsolidated Statements of accounting and are periodically assessed for other-than-temporary impairment when an event or circumstance indicates that an other-than-temporary decline in value may have occurred.Operations.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Applied maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. This allowance is based on historical experience, credit evaluations, specific customer collection history and any customer-specific issues Applied has identified. Changes in circumstances, such as an unexpected material adverse change in a major customer’s ability to meet its financial obligation to Applied or its payment trends, may require Applied to further adjust its estimates of the recoverability of amounts due to Applied. Bad debt expense and any reversals are recorded in marketing and selling expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. Applied adjusts inventory carrying value for estimated obsolescence equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated net realizable value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. Applied fully writes down inventories and noncancelable purchase orders for inventory deemed obsolete. Applied performs periodic reviews of inventory items to identify excess inventories on hand by comparing on-hand balances to anticipated usage using recent historical activity as well as anticipated or forecasted demand. If estimates of customer demand diminish further or market conditions become less favorable than those projected by Applied, additional inventory adjustments may be required.


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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives for financial reporting purposes are as follows: buildings and improvements, 3 to 30 years; demonstration and manufacturing equipment, 3 to 5 years; software, 3 to 5 years; and furniture, fixtures and other equipment, 3 to 5 years. Land improvements are amortized over the shorter of 15 years or the estimated useful life. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of five years or the lease term.
Intangible Assets
Goodwill and indefinite-lived assets are not amortized, but are reviewed for impairment annually during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Purchased technology and other intangible assets are presented at cost, net of accumulated amortization, and are amortized over their estimated useful lives of 1 to 15 years using the straight-line method.
Long-Lived Assets
Applied reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets or asset group may not be recoverable. Applied assesses these assets for impairment based on estimated future cash flows from these assets.
Research, DevelopmentRevenue Recognition from Contracts with Customers
Applied recognizes revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which Applied expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Applied determines revenue recognition through the following five steps; (1) identification of the contract(s) with customers, (2) identification of the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determination of the transaction price, (4) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and Engineering(5) recognition of revenue when, or as, a performance obligation is satisfied.
Identifying the contract(s) with customers. Applied sells manufacturing equipment, services, and spare parts directly to its customers in the semiconductor, display, and related industries. The Company generally considers written documentation including, but not limited to, signed purchase orders, master agreements, and sales orders as contracts provided that collection is probable. Collectability is assessed based on the customer’s creditworthiness determined by reviewing the customer’s published credit and financial information, historical payment experience, as well as other relevant factors.
Identifying the performance obligations. Applied’s performance obligations include delivery of manufacturing equipment, service agreements, spare parts, installation, extended warranty and training. Applied’s service agreements are considered one performance obligation and may include multiple goods and services that Applied provides to the customer to deliver against a performance metric. Judgment is used to determine whether multiple promised goods or services in a contract should be accounted for separately or as a group.
Determine the transaction price. The transaction price for Applied’s contracts with customers may include fixed and variable consideration. Applied includes variable consideration in the transaction price to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of revenue will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved.
Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation identified within the contract. Applied generally estimates the standalone selling price of a distinct performance obligation based on historical cost plus an appropriate margin. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, Applied allocates the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation using the relative standalone selling price of each distinct good or service in the contract.
Recognizing the revenue as performance obligations are satisfied. Applied recognizes revenue from equipment and spares parts at a point in time when Applied has satisfied its performance obligation by transferring control of the goods to the customer which typically occurs at shipment or delivery. Revenue from service agreements is recognized over time, typically within 12 months, as customers receive the benefits of services.
The incremental costs to obtain a contract are not material.
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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Payment Terms. Payment terms vary by contract. Generally, the majority of payments are due within a certain number of days from shipment of goods or performance of service. The remainder is typically due upon customer technical acceptance. Applied typically receives deposits on future deliverables from customers in the Display and Adjacent Markets segment and, in certain instances, may also receive deposits from customers in the Applied Global Services segment. Applied’s payment terms do not generally contain a significant financing component.
Shipping and Handling Costs
Research, developmentApplied accounts for shipping and engineeringhandling activities related to contracts with customers as costs to fulfill our promise to transfer the associated products. Accordingly, amounts billed for shipping and handling costs are expensedrecorded as incurred.
Salesa component of net sales and Value Added Taxes
Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are presented oncosts as a net basis in the accompanying Consolidated Statementscomponent of Operations.cost of products sold.
Warranty
Applied provides for the estimated cost of warranty when revenue is recognized. Estimated warranty costs are determined by analyzing specific product, current and historical configuration statistics and regional warranty support costs. Applied’s warranty obligation is affected by product and component failure rates, material usage and labor costs incurred in correcting product failures during the warranty period. If actual warranty costs differ substantially from Applied’s estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.
Applied also sells extended warranty contracts to its customers which provide an extension of the standard warranty coverage period of up to 2 years. Applied receives payment at the inception of the contract and recognizes revenue ratably over the extended warranty coverage period, as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the extended warranty.
Sales and Value Added Taxes
Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are presented on a net basis in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Research, Development and Engineering Costs
Research, development and engineering costs are expensed as incurred.
Income Taxes
Applied recognizes a current tax liability for the estimated amount of income tax payable on tax returns for the current fiscal year. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for net operating loss and tax credit carryovers. Deferred tax assets are offset by a valuation allowance to the extent it is more likely than not that they are not expected to be realized.
Applied recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized from such positions are estimated based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Any changes in judgment related to uncertain tax positions are recognized in Applied’s provision for income taxes in the quarter in which such change occurs. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recognized in Applied’s provision for income taxes.

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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Revenue Recognition
Applied recognizes revenue when all four revenue recognition criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; seller’s price to buyer is fixed or determinable; and collectability is probable. Applied’s shipping terms are customarily FOB Applied shipping point or equivalent terms. Applied’s revenue recognition policy generally results in revenue recognition at the following points: (1) for all transactions where legal title passes to the customer upon shipment or delivery, Applied recognizes revenue upon passage of title for all products that have been demonstrated to meet product specifications prior to shipment; the portion of revenue associated with certain installation-related tasks is deferred, and that revenue is recognized upon completion of the installation-related tasks; (2) for products that have not been demonstrated to meet product specifications prior to shipment, revenue is recognized at customer technical acceptance; (3) for transactions where legal title does not pass at shipment or delivery, revenue is recognized when legal title passes to the customer, which is generally at customer technical acceptance; and (4) for arrangements containing multiple elements, the revenue relating to the undelivered elements is deferred using the relative selling price method utilizing estimated sales prices until delivery of the deferred elements. Applied limits the amount of revenue recognition for delivered elements to the amount that is not contingent on the future delivery of products or services, future performance obligations or subject to customer-specified return or adjustment. In cases where Applied has sold products that have been demonstrated to meet product specifications prior to shipment, Applied believes that at the time of delivery, it has an enforceable claim to amounts recognized as revenue. Spare parts revenue is generally recognized upon shipment, and services revenue is generally recognized over the period that the services are provided.
When a sales arrangement contains multiple elements, such as hardware and services and/or software products, Applied allocates revenue to each element based on a selling price hierarchy. The selling price for a deliverable is based on its vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) if available, third party evidence (TPE) if VSOE is not available, or estimated selling price (ESP) if neither VSOE nor TPE is available. Applied generally utilizes the ESP due to the nature of its products. In multiple element arrangements where more-than-incidental software deliverables are included, revenue is allocated to each separate unit of accounting for each of the non-software deliverables and to the software deliverables as a group using the relative selling prices of each of the deliverables in the arrangement based on the aforementioned selling price hierarchy. If the arrangement contains more than one software deliverable, the arrangement consideration allocated to the software deliverables as a group is then allocated to each software deliverable using the guidance for recognizing software revenue.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Applied uses financial instruments, such as forward exchange and currency option contracts, to hedge a portion of, but not all, existing and anticipated foreign currency denominated transactions typically expected to occur within 24 months. The purpose of Applied’s foreign currency management is to mitigate the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on certain foreign currency denominated revenues, costs and eventual cash flows. In certain cases, Applied also uses interest rate swap or lock agreements to hedge against the variability of cash flows due to changes in the benchmark interest rate of fixed rate debt. The terms of derivative financial instruments used for hedging purposes are generally consistent with the timing of the transactions being hedged. All of Applied’s derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value based upon quoted market prices for comparable instruments. For derivative instruments designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on these hedges is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity, and is reclassified into earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings. If the transaction being hedged fails to occur, or if a portion of any derivative is ineffective, the gain or loss on the associated financial instrument is recorded promptly in earnings. For derivative instruments used to hedge existing foreign currency denominated assets or liabilities, the gain or loss on these hedges is recorded promptly in earnings to offset the changes in the fair value of the assets or liabilities being hedged. Applied does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
Foreign Currencies
As of October 28, 2018,25, 2020, all of Applied’s subsidiaries use the United States dollar as their functional currency. Accordingly, assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are remeasured using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period, except for non-monetary assets, such as inventories and property, plant and equipment, which are remeasured using historical exchange rates. Foreign currency-denominated revenues and costs are remeasured using average exchange rates for the period, except for costs related to those balance sheet items that are remeasured using historical exchange rates. The resulting remeasurement gains and losses are included in generalinterest and administrative expensesother income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as incurred.

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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject Applied to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, investments, trade accounts receivable and derivative financial instruments used in hedging activities. Applied invests in a variety of financial instruments, such as, but not limited to, commercial paper, corporate and municipal bonds, United States Treasury and agency securities, and asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure with any one financial institution or commercial issuer. Applied is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to derivative financial instruments, but does not expect any counterparties to fail to meet their obligations. Applied performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally requires no collateral to secure accounts receivable. Applied maintains an allowance reserve for potentially uncollectible accounts receivable based on its assessment of the collectability of accounts receivable. Applied regularly reviews the allowance by considering factors such as historical experience, credit quality, age of the accounts receivable balances, and current economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay. In addition, Applied utilizes deposits and/or letters of credit to mitigate credit risk when considered appropriate. Applied is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to derivative financial instruments, but does not expect any counterparties to fail to meet their obligations. In some instances, Applied has entered into security arrangements which require the counterparties to post collateral to further mitigate credit exposure.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Adopted
Inventory Measurement. Leases. In July 2015,February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) issued authoritative guidance thatfor lease accounting, which requires inventorylessees to be measured at the lower of costrecognize lease assets and net realizable value instead of at lower of cost or market. This guidance does not apply to inventory that is measured using last-in, first out (LIFO) or the retail inventory method but applies to all other inventory including those measured using first-in, first-out (FIFO) or the average cost method. Applied adopted this authoritative guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 prospectively to the measurement of inventory after the effective date. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on Applied’s consolidated financial statements.
Share-Based Compensation. In March 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including forfeitures, income tax, and classificationliabilities on the statement of cash flows.balance sheet for certain lease arrangements that are classified as operating leases under the previous standard, and to provide for enhanced disclosures. Applied adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Upon adoption, Applied elected to continue to estimate forfeitures expected to occur to determine2020 using the amount of compensation costs to be recognized in each period. Themodified retrospective transition method which required applying the new standard also required recognitionas of excess tax benefits in the provision for income taxes rather than additional paid-in capital prospectively. In fiscal 2018, Applied recognized an excess tax benefit of $51 million in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations. Additionally, Applied elected to apply the presentation requirements for cash flows related to excess tax benefits and employee taxes paid for withheld shares retrospectively. Adopting this guidance increased cash provided by operating activities by $180 million and $100 million with corresponding net decreases in cash provided by financing activities for fiscal 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. In February 2018, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that allows stranded tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) to be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. Applied adopted this guidance at the beginning of the third quarterperiod of fiscal 2018. The stranded income tax effects relatedadoption with no adjustment to comparative prior periods. Applied elected the Tax Act were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive incomepackage of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which allow Applied not to retained earnings inreassess whether a contract contains a lease, initial direct costs and lease classification for leases existing prior to adoption. Applied also elected to combine the consolidated statements of stockholders' equity as of October 28, 2018.
Share-Based Compensation: Modification Accounting. In May 2017, the FASB issued an update to clarify when to account for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment awardlease and non-lease components as a modification. Undersingle lease component and not to use hindsight in determining the new guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classificationlease term. Upon adoption, Applied recognized right-of-use assets of the award changes as a result$160 million, net of the change in terms or conditions. Applied adopted this guidance in the third quarterdeferred rent of fiscal 2018 on a prospective basis. The impact$4 million and lease liabilities of the adoption of this guidance will depend on whether the Company makes any future modifications of share-based payment awards.

$164 million.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
Retirement Benefits: Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit and other Postretirement Plans. In August 2018, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that adds, removes, and clarifies disclosure requirements for defined benefit and other postretirement plans. This authoritative guidance will be effective for Applied in fiscal 2021 on a retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted. Applied is currently evaluating the effect of this new guidance on Applied’s consolidated financial statements.
Fair Value Measurement: Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. In August 2018, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that eliminates, amends, and adds disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. While the amended and new disclosure requirements primarily relate to Level 3 fair value measurements, the authoritative guidance also eliminates disclosure requirements related to the amount and reasons for transfer between Level 1 and Level 2 of fair value hierarchy, policy for timing of transfer between levels, and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. The authoritative guidance will be effective for Applied in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Early adoption is permitted only for the removal and amendment of certain disclosures, while the new disclosures requirements are to be applied prospectively. Applied is currently evaluating the effect of this new guidance on Applied’s consolidated financial statements.
Derivatives and Hedging.In August 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that modifies the recognition and presentation of hedge accounting to better align an entity’s risk management strategies and financial reporting for hedging relationships. The authoritative guidance expands the application of hedge accounting for non-financial and financial risk components and eases certain hedge effectiveness assessment requirements. The authoritativeApplied adopted this guidance will be effective for Applied in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 with early adoption permitted. Applied is currently evaluatingunder the modified retrospective approach. The cumulative effect adjustment for the elimination of this new guidance onthe ineffectiveness was not material to Applied’s consolidated financial statements. The presentation and disclosure have been amended on a prospective basis, as required by this update.
Receivables: Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs. In March 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that will shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium to the earliest call date to more closely align with expectations incorporated in market pricing. Applied adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a significant impact on Applied’s consolidated financial statements.
Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes: In December 2019, the FASB issued an accounting standard update to simplify the accounting for income taxes (Topic 740). This amendment removes certain exceptions and improves consistent application of accounting principles for certain areas in Topic 740. This authoritative guidance will be effective for Applied in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 on a modified retrospective basis,2022, with early adoption permitted. Applied is currently evaluating the impacteffect of adopting this new accounting guidance on Applied’s consolidated financial statements.
Retirement Benefits. Benefits: Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit and other Postretirement Plans. In March 2017,August 2018, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which requires companies to present the service cost component of netthat adds, removes, and clarifies disclosure requirements for defined benefit cost in the same line items in which they report compensation cost. Theand other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside a subtotal of income from operations, if one is presented. Thepostretirement plans. This authoritative guidance will be effective for Applied in the first quarter of fiscal 20192021 on a retrospective basis.basis, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this guidance is only expected to result in reclassification of other components of net benefit costs outside of income from operations and is not expected to have a significant impact on Applied’s consolidated financial statements.Applied's defined benefit and other postretirement disclosures.
Goodwill Impairment. In January 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that simplifies the process required to test goodwill for impairment. The authoritative guidance will be effective for Applied in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on Applied’s consolidated financial statements.
Business Combinations. In January 2017, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that clarifies the definition of a business to help companies evaluate whether acquisition or disposal transactions should be accounted for as asset groups or as businesses. The authoritative guidance will be effective for Applied in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 on a prospective basis. The impact of the adoption depends on the facts and circumstances of future acquisition or disposal transactions.
Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Asset Transfers. In October 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires entities to recognize at the transaction date the income tax consequences of intercompany asset transfers other than inventory. Applied will adopt this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 using a modified-retrospective approach resulting in a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. Applied estimates an increase in deferred tax assets of approximately $1.6 billion with a corresponding increase in retained earnings related to the recognition of income tax effects of intra-entity asset transfers that occurred prior to the adoption date.
Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. In August 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which addresses classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments related to the statement of cash flows. The authoritative guidance will be effective for Applied in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a significant impact on Applied’s consolidated financial statements.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Financial Instruments: Credit Losses. In June 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that modifies the impairment model for certain financial assets by requiring use of an expected loss methodology, which will result in more timely recognition of credit losses. The authoritative guidance will be effective for Applied in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. EarlyThe adoption is permitted beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Applied is currently evaluating the effect of this new guidance will not have a significant impact on Applied’s consolidated financial statements.
Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for lease accounting, which requires lessees to recognize lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for certain lease arrangements that are classified as operating leases under the previous standard, and to provide for enhanced disclosures. The authoritative guidance will be effective for Applied in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and should be applied using a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted. Applied is currently evaluating the effect of this new guidance on Applied’s consolidated financial statements.
Financial Instruments: Classification and Measurement. In January 2016, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires equity investments that do not result in consolidation, and are not accounted for under the equity method, to be measured at fair value, and requires recognition of any changes in fair value in net income unless the investments qualify for a new practicability exception. For financial liabilities measured at fair value, the change in fair value caused by a change in instrument-specific credit risk will be required to be presented separately in other comprehensive income. Applied will adopt this standard in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. Applied will make elections on whether to apply fair value or the measurement alternative for equity investments without readily determinable fair value on an investment-by-investment basis. For the equity securities without readily determinable fair values, fair value will be applied prospectively to all equity investments that exist as of adoption. Upon adoption, Applied will record a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings for the unrealized gains and losses associated with equity investments with readily determinable fair values. Applied currently estimates a net increase to retained earnings of approximately $21 million with the corresponding net decrease in accumulated other comprehensive income.
Revenue Recognition.In May 2014, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that requires revenue recognition to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services and requires certain additional disclosures. This new standard will supersede most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. Entities will have the option of using either a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach to adopting the guidance. In August 2015, the FASB issued an amendment to defer the effective date by one year and allow entities to early adopt no earlier than the original effective date. With this amendment, the guidance will be effective for Applied in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, which is the Company’s planned adoption date. Applied currently anticipates adopting this new guidance using the full retrospective approach.
In fiscal 2016, Applied established a project steering committee and cross-functional implementation team that has identified potential differences that would result from applying the requirements of the new standard to Applied’s revenue contracts. In addition, the implementation team has identified and is now implementing changes to business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard.
While the Company’s evaluation of the impact of this new guidance is not complete, Applied currently expects that the new standard will have the following impacts:
Revenue related to the sale of equipment and spares will generally continue to be recognized at a point in time upon the transfer of control. Under this new guidance, the point of time at which revenue is recognized for certain of these products is expected to be earlier than under current revenue recognition guidance as there will be fewer constraints related to customer acceptance.
Revenue related to the sale of services will generally continue to be recognized over time as the services are performed.
Disclosures related to revenue recognition, including contract balances and revenue disaggregation, will be expanded.
Applied continues to evaluate the effect that this new guidance will have on the financial position and results of operations for fiscal 2018. However, for fiscal 2017, Applied expects an increase of our net sales between $140 million and $180 million, or approximately 1%.
Applied is nearing completion of retrospectively adjusting financial information and will continue to evaluate the effect that the standard will have on its consolidated financial statements, including disclosures, and its preliminary assessments are subject to change.



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 2Earnings Per Share
Note 2      Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is determined using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is determined using the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares (representing the dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock units, and employee stock purchase plan shares) outstanding during the period. Applied’s net income has not been adjusted for any period presented for purposes of computing basic or diluted earnings per share due to the Company’s non-complex capital structure.
 
Fiscal Year202020192018
 (In millions, except per share amounts)
Numerator:
Net income$3,619 $2,706 $3,038 
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding916 937 1,013 
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchase plan shares13 
Denominator for diluted earnings per share923 945 1,026 
Basic earnings per share$3.95 $2.89 $3.00 
Diluted earnings per share$3.92 $2.86 $2.96 
Potentially dilutive securities
Fiscal Year2018 2017 2016
      
 (In millions, except per share amounts)
Numerator:     
Net income$3,313
 $3,434
 $1,721
Denominator:     
Weighted average common shares outstanding1,013
 1,073
 1,107
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchase plan shares13
 11
 9
Denominator for diluted earnings per share1,026
 1,084
 1,116
Basic earnings per share$3.27
 $3.20
 $1.56
Diluted earnings per share$3.23
 $3.17
 $1.54
Potentially dilutive securities
 
 


Potentially dilutive securities attributable to outstanding stock options and restricted stock units are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share where the combined exercise price and average unamortized fair value are greater than the average market price of Applied common stock, and therefore their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. Prior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-09 Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting in the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the assumed tax benefits upon the exercise of options and vesting of restricted stock units were also included in this calculation.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)



Note 3Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments
Note 3      Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments
Summary of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments
The following tables summarize Applied’s cash, cash equivalents and investments by security type:
 
October 28, 2018Cost 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
October 25, 2020October 25, 2020CostGross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Estimated
Fair Value
       
(In millions) (In millions)
Cash$1,489
 $
 $
 $1,489
Cash$1,136 $— $— $1,136 
Cash equivalents:       Cash equivalents:
Money market funds1,599
 
 
 1,599
Money market funds4,209 — — 4,209 
Commercial paper, corporate bonds and medium-term notes352
 
 
 352
Municipal securitiesMunicipal securities— — 
Total Cash equivalents1,951
 
 
 1,951
Total Cash equivalents4,215 — — 4,215 
Total Cash and Cash equivalents$3,440
 $
 $
 $3,440
Total Cash and Cash equivalents$5,351 $— $— $5,351 
Short-term and long-term investments:       Short-term and long-term investments:
U.S. Treasury and agency securities$335
 $
 $2
 $333
U.S. Treasury and agency securities$394 $$$398 
Non-U.S. government securities*10
 
 
 10
Municipal securities399
 
 4
 395
Municipal securities359 365 
Commercial paper, corporate bonds and medium-term notes705
 
 3
 702
Commercial paper, corporate bonds and medium-term notes492 499 
Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities595
 
 4
 591
Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities470 479 
Total fixed income securities2,044
 
 13
 2,031
Total fixed income securities1,715 27 1,741 
Publicly traded equity securities17
 25
 4
 38
Publicly traded equity securities11 36 45 
Equity investments in privately-held companies89
 
 
 89
Equity investments in privately-held companies121 25 139 
Total equity investmentsTotal equity investments132 61 184 
Total short-term and long-term investments$2,150
 $25
 $17
 $2,158
Total short-term and long-term investments$1,847 $88 $10 $1,925 
Total Cash, Cash equivalents and Investments$5,590
 $25
 $17
 $5,598
Total Cash, Cash equivalents and Investments$7,198 $88 $10 $7,276 
 _________________________
* Includes agency debt securities guaranteed by Canada.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)



October 29, 2017Cost 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Estimated
Fair Value
October 27, 2019October 27, 2019CostGross
Unrealized
Gains
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
Estimated
Fair Value
       
(In millions) (In millions)
Cash$1,346
 $
 $
 $1,346
Cash$1,071 $— $— $1,071 
Cash equivalents:       Cash equivalents:
Money market funds2,658
 
 
 2,658
Money market funds1,677 — — 1,677 
U.S. Treasury and agency securities15
 
 
 15
U.S. Treasury and agency securities— — 
Non-U.S. government securities55
 
 
 55
Municipal securities341
 
 
 341
Commercial paper, corporate bonds and medium-term notes595
 
 
 595
Commercial paper, corporate bonds and medium-term notes377 — — 377 
Total Cash equivalents3,664
 
 
 3,664
Total Cash equivalents2,058 — — 2,058 
Total Cash and Cash equivalents$5,010
 $
 $
 $5,010
Total Cash and Cash equivalents$3,129 $— $— $3,129 
Short-term and long-term investments:       Short-term and long-term investments:
U.S. Treasury and agency securities$667
 $
 $1
 $666
U.S. Treasury and agency securities$336 $$$337 
Non-U.S. government securities*161
 
 
 161
Non-U.S. government securities*10 10 
Municipal securities1,007
 
 
 1,007
Municipal securities402 406 
Commercial paper, corporate bonds and medium-term notes1,024
 1
 1
 1,024
Commercial paper, corporate bonds and medium-term notes642 647 
Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities379
 
 1
 378
Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities631 635 
Total fixed income securities3,238
 1
 3
 3,236
Total fixed income securities2,021 14 2,035 
Publicly traded equity securities22
 78
 1
 99
Publicly traded equity securities40 45 
Equity investments in privately-held companies74
 
 
 74
Equity investments in privately-held companies105 10 112 
Total equity investmentsTotal equity investments113 50 157 
Total short-term and long-term investments$3,334
 $79
 $4
 $3,409
Total short-term and long-term investments$2,134 $64 $$2,192 
Total Cash, Cash equivalents and Investments$8,344
 $79
 $4
 $8,419
Total Cash, Cash equivalents and Investments$5,263 $64 $$5,321 
________________________
* Includes agency debt securities guaranteed by non-U.S. governments, which consist of Canada and Germany.Canada.
 
Maturities of Investments
The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of Applied’s investments at October 28, 2018:25, 2020:
 
Cost 
Estimated
Fair Value
CostEstimated
Fair Value
   
(In millions) (In millions)
Due in one year or less$503
 $502
Due in one year or less$367 $369 
Due after one through five years946
 938
Due after one through five years878 893 
Due after five yearsDue after five years
No single maturity date**701
 718
No single maturity date**602 663 
Total$2,150
 $2,158
Total$1,847 $1,925 
 _________________________
** Securities with no single maturity date include publicly-traded and privately-held equity securities, and asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities.
 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Gains and Losses on Investments
Gross realized gains and losses on sales of investments for each fiscal year were as follows:
 
202020192018
 (In millions)
Gross realized gains$19 $10 $29 
Gross realized losses$$$
 2018 2017 2016
      
 (In millions)
Gross realized gains$29
 $14
 $10
Gross realized losses$3
 $1
 $2
At October 28, 2018,25, 2020, gross unrealized losses related to Applied’s debt investment portfolio were not material. Applied regularly reviews its debt investment portfolio to identify and evaluate investments that have indications of possible impairment. Factors considered in determining whether an unrealized loss is considered to be temporary, or other-than-temporary and therefore impaired, include: the length of time and extent to which fair value has been lower than the cost basis; the financial condition, credit quality and near-term prospects of the investee; and whether it is more likely than not that Applied will be required to sell the security prior to recovery. Generally, the contractual terms of investments in marketable securities do not permit settlement at prices less than the amortized cost of the investments.
Applied determined that the gross unrealized losses on its marketable fixed incomefixed-income securities at October 28, 2018,25, 2020, October 29, 201727, 2019 and October 30, 201628, 2018 were temporary in nature and therefore it did not0t recognize any impairment of its marketable fixed incomefixed-income securities for fiscal 2018, 20172020, 2019 or 2016.2018. During fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, 2017 and 2016, Applied determined that certain of itsimpairment charge on equity investments in privately-held companies were other-than-temporarily impaired and, accordingly, recognized impairment charges of $5 million, $10 million and $8 million, respectively.not material. These impairment charges are included in interest and other income, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Unrealized gains and temporary losses on investments classified as available-for-saleequity investments are recognized in other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Prior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-01 Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, these unrealized gains and temporary losses were included within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of any related tax effect. Upon realization, those amounts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
The components of gain (loss) to results of operations.on equity investments for each fiscal year were as follows:


20202019
(In millions)
Publicly traded equity securities
Unrealized gain$14 $28 
Unrealized loss(17)(5)
Realized gain on sales
Equity investments in privately-held companies
Unrealized gain18 13 
Unrealized loss(7)(6)
Realized gain on sales
Realized loss on sales or impairment(8)(1)
Total gain (loss) on equity investments, net$$36 


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 4Fair Value Measurements
Note 4       Fair Value Measurements
Applied’s financial assets are measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, except for equity investments in privately-held companies. These equity investments are generally accounted for under the measurement alternative, defined as cost, method of accountingless impairments, adjusted for subsequent observable price changes and are periodically assessed for other-than-temporary impairment when events or circumstances indicate that an other-than-temporarya decline in value may have occurred. Applied’s nonfinancial assets, such as goodwill, intangible assets, and property, plant and equipment, are recorded at cost and are assessed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.
Fair Value Hierarchy
Applied uses the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement:
 
Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2 — Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
Applied’s investments consist primarily of debt securities that are classified as available-for-sale and recorded at their fair values. In determining the fair value of investments, Applied uses pricing information from pricing services that value securities based on quoted market prices and models that utilize observable market inputs. In the event a fair value estimate is unavailable from a pricing service, Applied generally obtains non-binding price quotes from brokers. Applied then reviews the information provided by the pricing services or brokers to determine the fair value of its short-term and long-term investments. In addition, to validate pricing information obtained from pricing services, Applied periodically performs supplemental analysis on a sample of securities. Applied reviews any significant unanticipated differences identified through this analysis to determine the appropriate fair value. As of October 25, 2020, substantially all of Applied’s available-for-sale, short-term and long-term investments were recognized at fair value that was determined based upon observable inputs.
Applied’s equity investments with readily determinable values consist of publicly traded equity securities. These investments are measured at fair value using quoted prices for identical assets in an active market and the changes in fair value of these equity investments are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.
Investments with remaining effective maturities of 12 months or less from the balance sheet date are classified as short-term investments. Investments with remaining effective maturities of more than 12 months from the balance sheet date are classified as long-term investments. As
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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Financial assets (excluding cash balances) measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
 
 October 25, 2020October 27, 2019
 Level 1Level 2TotalLevel 1Level 2Total
 (In millions)
Assets:
Available-for-sale debt security investments
Money market funds*$4,324 $$4,324 $1,677 $$1,677 
U.S. Treasury and agency securities375 23 398 323 18 341 
Non-U.S. government securities10 10 
Municipal securities371 371 406 406 
Commercial paper, corporate bonds and medium-term notes499 499 1,024 1,024 
Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities479 479 635 635 
Total available-for-sale debt security investments$4,699 $1,372 $6,071 $2,000 $2,093 $4,093 
Equity investments with readily determinable values
Publicly traded equity securities$45 $$45 $45 $$45 
Total equity investments with readily determinable values$45 $$45 $45 $$45 
Total$4,744 $1,372 $6,116 $2,045 $2,093 $4,138 
 October 28, 2018 October 29, 2017
 Level 1 Level 2 Total Level 1 Level 2 Total
            
 (In millions)
Assets:           
Money market funds$1,599
 $
 $1,599
 $2,658
 $
 $2,658
U.S. Treasury and agency securities297
 36
 333
 192
 489
 681
Non-U.S. government securities
 10
 10
 
 216
 216
Municipal securities
 395
 395
 
 1,348
 1,348
Commercial paper, corporate bonds and medium-term notes
 1,054
 1,054
 
 1,619
 1,619
Asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities
 591
 591
 
 378
 378
Publicly traded equity securities38
 
 38
 99
 
 99
Total$1,934
 $2,086
 $4,020
 $2,949
 $4,050
 $6,999
 _________________________
There were no transfers between Level 1* Amount as of October 25, 2020 includes $115 million invested in money market funds related to deferred compensation plans. Due to restrictions on the distribution of these funds, they are classified as restricted cash equivalents and Level 2 fair value measurements during fiscal 2018are included in deferred income taxes and 2017, and other assets in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.
Applied did not have any financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis within Level 3 fair value measurements as of October 28, 201825, 2020 or October 29, 2017.

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27, 2019.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis
EquityApplied’s equity investments without readily determinable values consist of equity investments in privately-held companies are generally accountedcompanies. Applied elected the measurement alternative, defined as cost, less impairments, adjusted for undersubsequent observable price changes on a prospective basis for certain equity investments without readily determinable fair values and is required to account for any subsequent observable changes in fair value within the cost methodstatements of accounting andoperations. These investments are periodically assessed for other-than-temporary impairment when an event or circumstance indicates that an other-than-temporarya decline in value may have occurred. If Applied determines that an other-than-temporary
During fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, impairment has occurred, the investment will be written down to its estimated fair value basedcharges on available information, such as pricing in recent rounds of financing, current cash positions, earnings and cash flow forecasts, recent operational performance and any other readily available market data. Equityequity investments in privately-held companies totaled $89 million at October 28, 2018, of which $72 million of investments were accounted for under the cost method of accounting and $17 million of investments had been measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis within Level 3 fair value measurements due to an other-than-temporary decline in value. Equity investments in privately-held companies totaled $74 million at October 29, 2017, of which $65 million of investments were accounted for under the cost method of accounting and $9 million of investments had been measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis within Level 3 fair value measurements due to an other-than-temporary decline in value.
During fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, Applied determined that certain of its equity investments were other-than-temporarily impaired and, accordingly, recognized impairment charges of $5 million, $10 million and $8 million, respectively.not material.
Other
The carrying amounts of Applied’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes payable - short term, and accounts payable and accrued expenses, approximate fair value due to their short maturities. At October 28, 2018,25, 2020, the aggregate principal amount of long-term senior unsecured notes was $5.5 billion, and estimated fair value was $6.6 billion. At October 27, 2019, the aggregate principal and estimated fair value amounts of long-term debtsenior unsecured notes were both $5.4 billion. At October 29, 2017, the aggregate principal amount of long-term debt was $5.4$4.8 billion and the estimated fair value was $5.8 billion.$5.5 billion. The estimated fair value of long-term debtsenior unsecured notes is determined by Level 2 inputs and is based primarily on quoted market prices for the same or similar issues. See Note 1011 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further detail of existing debt.



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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 5Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Note 5      Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Derivative Financial Instruments
Applied conducts business in a number of foreign countries, with certain transactions denominated in local currencies, such as the Japanese yen, euro, Israeli shekel and Taiwanese dollar. Applied uses derivative financial instruments, such as forward exchange contracts and currency option contracts, to hedge certain forecasted foreign currency denominated transactions expected to occur typically within the next 24 months.months. The purpose of Applied’s foreign currency management is to mitigate the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on certain foreign currency denominated revenues, costs and eventual cash flows. The terms of currency instruments used for hedging purposes are generally consistent with the timing of the transactions being hedged.
During fiscal 2017, Applied entered into and settled interest rate lock agreements, with a total notional amount of $700 million to hedge against the variability of benchmark interest rates prior to the issuance of the debt. These instruments were designated as cash flow hedges at inception and settled in conjunction with the issuance of debt in March 2017. The $14 million loss from the settlement of the interest rate lock agreement, which was included in AOCI in stockholders’ equity, is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the senior unsecured 10-year notes issued in March 2017.
Applied does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Derivative instruments and hedging activities, including foreign currency exchange and interest rate contracts, are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge treatment, as well as the ineffective portion of any hedges, are recognized currently in earnings. All of Applied’s derivative financial instruments are recorded at their fair value in other current assets or in accounts payable and accrued expenses.
Hedges related to anticipated transactions are designated and documented at the inception of the hedge as cash flow hedges and foreign exchange derivatives are typically entered into once per month. Cash flow hedges are evaluated for effectiveness quarterly. The effective portion of the gain or loss on these hedges is reported as a component of AOCI in stockholders’ equity and is reclassified into earnings when the hedged transaction affects earnings. The majority of the after-tax net income or loss related to foreign exchange derivative instruments included in AOCI at October 28, 201825, 2020 is expected to be reclassified into earnings within 12 months. ChangesPrior to adopting the new accounting guidance for hedge accounting, changes in the fair value of currency forward exchange and option contracts due to changes in time value arewere excluded from the assessment of effectiveness. Subsequent to the adoption of the new accounting guidance, only changes in the fair value of option contracts due to changes in time value were excluded from the assessment of effectiveness. The initial value of this excluded component is amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the hedging instrument and recognized in the financial statement line item to which the hedge relates. Both ineffective hedge amounts and hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in earnings. If the transaction being hedged is no longer probable to occur, or if a portion of any derivative is deemed to be ineffective, Applied promptly recognizes the gain or loss on the associated financial instrument in earnings.the statement of operations. The amount recognized due to discontinuance of cash flow hedges that were probable not to occur by the end of the originally specified time period were not significant for fiscal years 2018 and 2017 and was a loss of $8 million for fiscal 2016.2020, 2019 or 2018.
Additionally, forward exchange contracts are generally used to hedge certain foreign currency denominated assets or liabilities. These derivatives are typically entered into once per month and are not designated for hedge accounting treatment. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of these hedges are recorded in earnings to offset the changes in the fair value of the assets or liabilities being hedged.
The fair values of foreign exchange derivative instruments at October 28, 201825, 2020 and October 29, 201727, 2019 were not material.

Applied is also exposed to interest rate risk associated with its potential future borrowings. During fiscal 2020, Applied entered into a series of interest rate contracts to hedge against the variability of cash flows due to changes in the benchmark interest rate of fixed rate debt. These instruments were designated as cash flow hedges at inception and were settled in conjunction with the issuance of debt in May 2020.

The gain (loss) on derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships recognized in AOCI for derivatives designated as hedging instruments for the indicated periods were as follows:
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
202020192018
(In millions)
Foreign exchange contracts$$(14)$
Interest rate contracts(151)
Total$(148)$(14)$

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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)



The effects of derivative instruments and hedging activities on the Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
Total Amount Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in which the Effects of Cash Flow Hedges are RecordedAmount of Gain or (Loss)
Reclassified
from AOCI into
Consolidated Statement of Operations
Amounts of Gain (Loss) Excluded from Effectiveness Testing
Recognized in
Consolidated Statement of Operations
(In millions)
2020
Foreign Exchange Contracts:
Net Sales$17,202 $(2)$
Cost of products sold$9,510 (3)
Research, development and engineering$2,234 
General and administrative$567 
Interest Rate Contracts:
Interest expense$240 (7)
$$
2019
Foreign Exchange Contracts:
Cost of products sold$8,222 $$15 
General and administrative$461 (3)(6)
Interest Rate Contracts:
Interest expense$237 (3)
$(4)$
2018
Foreign Exchange Contracts:
Cost of products sold$9,188 $$19 
General and administrative$483 (3)(7)
Interest Rate Contracts:
Interest expense$234 (3)
$(2)$12 

Amount of Gain or (Loss) 
Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations
Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Consolidated Statement of Operations202020192018
 (In millions)
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Foreign exchange contractsGeneral and administrative$$(8)$(5)
Foreign exchange contractsInterest and other income, net(10)
Total return swaps - deferred compensationCost of products sold
Total return swaps - deferred compensationOperating expenses
Total return swaps - deferred compensationInterest and other income, net(1)
Total$(4)$(8)$(5)


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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
   Effective Portion Ineffective Portion and Amount
Excluded from
Effectiveness
Testing
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging RelationshipsLocation of Gain or
(Loss)
 Gain or
(Loss)
 Gain or (Loss)
Reclassified
from AOCI into
Income
 Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in
Income
        
   (In millions)
2018       
Foreign exchange contractsAOCI $3
 $
 $
Foreign exchange contractsCost of products sold 
 4
 19
Foreign exchange contractsGeneral and administrative 
 (3) (7)
Interest rate contractsInterest expense 
 (3) 
Total  $3
 $(2) $12
        
2017       
Foreign exchange contractsAOCI $35
 $
 $
Foreign exchange contractsCost of products sold 
 7
 (3)
Foreign exchange contractsGeneral and administrative 
 7
 (2)
Interest rate contractsAOCI (14) 
 
Interest rate contractsInterest expense 
 (3) 
Total  $21
 $11
 $(5)
        
2016       
Foreign exchange contractsAOCI $(53) $
 $
Foreign exchange contractsCost of products sold 
 (46) 2
Foreign exchange contractsGeneral and administrative 
 
 (11)
Interest rate contractsInterest expense 
 (2) 
Total  $(53) $(48) $(9)

   
Amount of Gain or (Loss) 
Recognized in Income
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging InstrumentsLocation of Gain or
(Loss) Recognized
in Income
 2018 2017 2016
        
   (In millions)
Foreign exchange contractsGeneral and administrative $(5) $39
 $(75)
Total  $(5) $39
 $(75)

Credit Risk Contingent Features
If Applied’s credit rating were to fall below investment grade, it would be in violation of credit risk contingent provisions of the derivative instruments discussed above, and certain counterparties to the derivative instruments could request immediate payment on derivative instruments in net liability positions. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk related contingent features that were in a net liability position was immaterial as of October 28, 201825, 2020 and October 29, 2017.27, 2019.
Entering into derivative contracts with banks exposes Applied to credit-related losses in the event of the banks’ nonperformance. However, Applied’s exposure is not considered significant.
 

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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 6Accounts Receivable, Net
Note 6      Accounts Receivable, Net
Applied has agreements with various financial institutions to sell accounts receivable and discount promissory notes from selected customers. Applied sells its accounts receivable without recourse. Applied, from time to time, also discounts letters of credit issued by customers through various financial institutions. The discounting of letters of credit depends on many factors, including the willingness of financial institutions to discount the letters of credit and the cost of such arrangements.
Applied sold $1.2 billion, $1.5 billion and $1.6 billion $746 million and $75 million of accounts receivable during fiscal 2018, 20172020, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively. Applied discounted letters of credit issued by customers of $105 million, $48 million and $37 million in fiscal 2018.2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. There was no0 discounting of promissory notes in each of fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018. Applied did not discount letters of credit issued by customers or discount promissory notes during fiscal 2017 or 2016. Financing charges on the sale of receivables and discounting of letters of credit are included in interest expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and were not material for all years presented.
Accounts receivable are presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $33 million and $34$30 million at October 28, 201825, 2020 and October 29, 2017, respectively.27, 2019. Changes in allowance for doubtful accounts in each fiscal year were as follows:
 2018 2017 2016
      
 (In millions)
Beginning balance$34
 $51
 $49
Provision
 
 3
Deductions1
(1) (17) (1)
Ending balance$33
 $34
 $51
_____________________________
202020192018
(In millions)
Beginning balance$30 $33 $34 
Provision
Deductions1
(3)(1)
Ending balance$30 $30 $33 
_____________________________
1 Fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 deductions Deductions primarily represent releases of allowance for doubtful accounts credited to expense as a result of an overall lower risk profile of Applied’s customers and cash collections.
Applied sells its products principally to manufacturers within the semiconductor and display industries. While Applied believes that its allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate and represents its best estimate as of October 28, 2018,25, 2020, it continues to closely monitor customer liquidity and industry and economic conditions, which may result in changes to Applied’s estimates.


Note 7      Contract Balances
Contract assets primarily result from receivables for goods transferred to customers where payment is conditional upon technical sign off and not just the passage of time. Contract liabilities consist of unsatisfied performance obligations related to advance payments received and billings in excess of revenue recognized. Applied’s contract assets and liabilities are reported in a net position on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period.
Contract assets are generally classified as current and included in Other Current Assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Contract liabilities are classified as current or non-current based on the timing of when performance obligations will be satisfied and associated revenue is expected to be recognized.
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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Contract balances at the end of each reporting period were as follows:
October 25, 2020October 27, 2019
(In millions)
Contract assets$148 $108 
Contract liabilities$1,321 $1,336 
The increase in contract assets during fiscal 2020, was primarily due to goods transferred to customers where payment was conditional upon technical sign off, offset by the reclassification of contract assets to net accounts receivable upon meeting conditions to the right to payment.
During fiscal 2020, Applied recognized revenue of approximately $1.1 billion related to contract liabilities at October 27, 2019. This reduction in contract liabilities was offset by new billings for products and services for which there were unsatisfied performance obligations to customers and revenue had not yet been recognized as of October 25, 2020.
There were 0 impairment losses recognized on Applied’s accounts receivables and contract assets during fiscal 2020 and 2019.
As of October 25, 2020, the amount of remaining unsatisfied performance obligations on contracts with an original estimated duration of one year or more was approximately $1.1 billion, of which approximately 70% is expected to be recognized within 12 months and the remainder is expected to be recognized within the following 24 months thereafter. Applied has elected the available practical expedient to exclude the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected duration of one year or less.

Note 7
Note 8      Balance Sheet Detail
 October 28,
2018
 October 29,
2017
    
 (In millions)
Inventories   
Customer service spares$989
 $595
Raw materials1,020
 603
Work-in-process505
 468
Finished goods1,208
 1,264
 $3,722
 $2,930
 
October 25,
2020
October 27,
2019
 (In millions)
Inventories
Customer service spares$1,270 $1,245 
Raw materials870 802 
Work-in-process624 575 
Finished goods1,140 852 
$3,904 $3,474 
Included in finished goods inventory is $19$16 million at October 28, 201825, 2020 and $331$13 million at October 29, 2017,27, 2019, of newly-introduced systems at customer locations where the sales transaction did not meet Applied’s revenue recognition criteria as set forth in Note 1.1. Finished goods inventory includes $350$416 million and $281$318 million of evaluation inventory at October 28, 201825, 2020 and October 29, 2017,27, 2019, respectively.


October 25,
2020
October 27,
2019
 (In millions)
Other Current Assets
Prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable$162 $96 
Prepaid expenses and other602 485 
$764 $581 


83
 October 28,
2018
 October 29,
2017
    
 (In millions)
Other Current Assets   
Prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable$40
 $57
Prepaid expenses and other390
 317
 $430
 $374


 Useful Life October 28,
2018
 October 29,
2017
      
 (In years) (In millions)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net   
Land and improvements  $245
 $160
Buildings and improvements3-30 1,448
 1,315
Demonstration and manufacturing equipment3-5 1,282
 1,129
Furniture, fixtures and other equipment3-5 634
 572
Construction in progress  203
 135
Gross property, plant and equipment  3,812
 3,311
Accumulated depreciation  (2,405) (2,245)
   $1,407
 $1,066
Depreciation expense was $258 million, $214 million and $200 million for fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 respectively.

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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 October 28,
2018
 October 29,
2017
    
 (In millions)
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses   
Accounts payable$996
 $945
Compensation and employee benefits639
 666
Warranty209
 199
Dividends payable193
 106
Income taxes payable136
 112
Other accrued taxes112
 70
Interest payable38
 38
Other398
 314
 $2,721
 $2,450
Useful LifeOctober 25,
2020
October 27,
2019
 (In years)(In millions)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Land and improvements$256 $254 
Buildings and improvements3-301,655 1,590 
Demonstration and manufacturing equipment3-51,586 1,505 
Furniture, fixtures and other equipment3-5646 602 
Construction in progress237 120 
Gross property, plant and equipment4,380 4,071 
Accumulated depreciation(2,776)(2,542)
$1,604 $1,529 
 
 October 28,
2018
 October 29,
2017
    
 (In millions)
Customer Deposits and Deferred Revenue   
Customer deposits$444
 $381
Deferred revenue903
 1,284
 $1,347
 $1,665
Depreciation expense was $320 million, $306 million and $258 million for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 respectively.
Applied typically receives deposits on future deliverables from customers in the Display and Adjacent Markets segment and, in certain instances, may also receive deposits from customers in the Applied Global Services segment.
October 25,
2020
October 27,
2019
(In millions)
Deferred Income Taxes and Other Assets
Non-current deferred income taxes$1,711 $1,766 
Operating lease right-of-use assets252 — 
Income tax receivables and other assets260 265 
$2,223 $2,031 
October 25,
2020
October 27,
2019
 (In millions)
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable$1,124 $958 
Compensation and employee benefits800 559 
Warranty201 196 
Dividends payable201 192 
Income taxes payable222 160 
Other accrued taxes33 55 
Interest payable36 38 
Operating lease liabilities, current64 — 
Other457 353 
$3,138 $2,511 
October 25,
2020
October 27,
2019
 (In millions)
Other Liabilities
Defined and postretirement benefit plans$241 $212 
Operating lease liabilities, non-current195 
Other226 163 
$662 $375 

84
 October 28,
2018
 October 29,
2017
    
 (In millions)
Other Liabilities   
Defined and postretirement benefit plans$177
 $160
Other126
 99
 $303
 $259



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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 8Business Combinations
During fiscal 2017,Note 9      Business Combinations
Kokusai Electric Corporation
On June 30, 2019, Applied completed three acquisitionsentered into a Share Purchase Agreement (SPA) to acquire all outstanding shares of Kokusai Electric Corporation (Kokusai Electric) for $2.2 billion in cash, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. Kokusai Electric is a leading company in providing high-productivity batch processing systems and services for memory, foundry and logic customers. These systems complement Applied’s existing product offerings portfolio of single-wafer processing systems. Following the close of the transaction, Kokusai Electric will operate as a business unit of Applied’s Semiconductor Systems segment and continue to provide opportunities for future growth within Applied’s Displaybe based in Tokyo, with technology and Adjacent Marketsmanufacturing centers in Toyama, Japan and Applied Global Services segments.
Pro forma results of operations for these acquisitions have not been presented because theyCheonan, Korea. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The SPA contains certain termination rights, including if the transactions contemplated by the SPA are not materialconsummated on or before June 30, 2020 (Outside Date), which date may be extended by three months on two separate occasions if, on the applicable date, the only conditions to Applied’s consolidated resultsclosing relate to required regulatory approvals. Pursuant to the terms of operations. The acquired businesses are included in the results forSPA, the Displayparties mutually extended the Outside Date to September 30, 2020, and Adjacent Markets and Applied Global Services segments.on September 30, 2020 mutually further extended the Outside Date to December 30, 2020.
The following table represents the final aggregated purchase price allocation for acquisitions completed in fiscal year 2017:
  Estimated Fair Values
  (In millions)
Fair value of net assets acquired $23
Goodwill 55
Purchased technology 31
Purchase price allocated $109
Intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over an estimated weighted-average useful life of 3.5 years. Total transaction costs related to these acquisitions were not material and were expensed as incurred in general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.


Note 9Goodwill, Purchased Technology and Other Intangible Assets
Note 10      Goodwill, Purchased Technology and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets
Applied’s methodology for allocating the purchase price relating to purchase acquisitions is determined through established and generally accepted valuation techniques. Goodwill is measured as the excess of the purchase price over the sum of the amounts assigned to tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired less liabilities assumed. Applied assigns assets acquired (including goodwill) and liabilities assumed to one or more reporting units as of the date of acquisition. Typically, acquisitions relate to a single reporting unit and thus do not require the allocation of goodwill to multiple reporting units. If the products obtained in an acquisition are assigned to multiple reporting units, the goodwill is distributed to the respective reporting units as part of the purchase price allocation process.
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 whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. The process of evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill and intangible assets requires significant judgment, especially in emerging markets. Applied regularly monitors current business conditions and considers other factors including, but not limited to, adverse industry or economic trends, restructuring actions and lower projections of profitability that may impact future operating results.
To test goodwill for impairment, Applied first performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If it is concluded that this is the case, Applied then performs the two-step goodwill impairment test. Otherwise, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. Under the two-step goodwill impairment test, Applied would in the first step compare the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. Applied determines the fair value of each of its reporting units based on a weighting of income and market approaches. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, Applied would then perform the second step of the impairment test in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If Applied determines that the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, Applied would record an impairment charge equal to the difference.
As of October 28, 2018,25, 2020, Applied’s reporting units include Semiconductor ProductProducts Group and Imaging and Process Control Group, which combine to form the Semiconductor Systems reporting segment, Applied Global Services, and Display and Adjacent Markets.Markets and other reporting units recorded under Corporate and Other.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018,2020, Applied performed a qualitative assessment to test goodwill for all of its reporting units for impairment. Applied determined that it was more likely than not that each of its reporting units’ fair values exceeded their respective carrying values and that it was not necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test for any of its reporting units.

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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The evaluation of goodwill and intangible assets for impairment requires the exercise of significant judgment. In the event of future changes in business conditions, Applied will be required to reassess and update its forecasts and estimates used in future impairment analyses. If the results of these future analyses are lower than current estimates, a material impairment charge may result at that time.
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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Details of goodwill were as follows:
 October 25, 2020October 27, 2019
 (In millions)
Semiconductor Systems$2,208 $2,182 
Applied Global Services1,018 1,018 
Display and Adjacent Markets199 199 
Corporate and Other41 
Carrying amount$3,466 $3,399 
 October 28, 2018 October 29, 2017
    
 (In millions)
Semiconductor Systems$2,151
 $2,151
Applied Global Services1,018
 1,018
Display and Adjacent Markets199
 199
Carrying amount$3,368
 $3,368
During fiscal 2020, the increase in goodwill was primarily due to the preliminary purchase accounting for acquisitions completed in fiscal 2020, which were not material to Applied’s results of operations.
A summary of Applied’s purchased technology and intangible assets is set forth below:
 October 28,
2018
 October 29,
2017
    
 (In millions)
Purchased technology, net$109
 $288
Intangible assets - finite-lived, net104
 124
 $213
 $412


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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

October 25,
2020
October 27,
2019
 (In millions)
Purchased technology, net$75 $71 
Intangible assets - finite-lived, net78 85 
$153 $156 
Finite-Lived Purchased Intangible Assets
Applied amortizes purchased intangible assets with finite lives using the straight-line method over the estimated economic lives of the assets, ranging from 1 to 15 years.
Applied evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset group may not be recoverable. Applied assesses the fair value of the assets based on the amount of the undiscounted future cash flow that the assets are expected to generate and recognizes an impairment loss when estimated undiscounted future cash flow expected to result from the use of the asset, plus net proceeds expected from disposition of the asset, if any, are less than the carrying value of the asset. When Applied identifies an impairment, Applied reduces the carrying value of the group of assets to comparable market values, when available and appropriate, or to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow approach.
Intangible assets, such as purchased technology, are generally recorded in connection with a business acquisition. The value assigned to intangible assets is usually based on estimates and judgments regarding expectations for the success and life cycle of products and technology acquired. Applied evaluates the useful lives of its intangible assets each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances require revising the remaining period of amortization. In addition, Applied reviews intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate their carrying value may not be recoverable. Management considers such indicators as significant differences in actual product acceptance from the estimates, changes in the competitive and economic environments, technological advances, and changes in cost structure.

Details of finite-lived intangible assets were as follows:

86
 October 28, 2018 October 29, 2017
 
Purchased
Technology
 
Other
Intangible
Assets
 Total 
Purchased
Technology
 
Other
Intangible
Assets
 Total
            
 (In millions)
Gross carrying amount:           
Semiconductor Systems$1,449
 $252
 $1,701
 $1,449
 $252
 $1,701
Applied Global Services33
 44
 77
 33
 44
 77
Display and Adjacent Markets163
 38
 201
 163
 38
 201
Corporate and Other
 9
 9
 
 9
 9
Gross carrying amount$1,645
 $343
 $1,988
 $1,645
 $343
 $1,988
Accumulated amortization:           
Semiconductor Systems$(1,375) $(150) $(1,525) $(1,210) $(131) $(1,341)
Applied Global Services(29) (44) (73) (28) (44) (72)
Display and Adjacent Markets(132) (36) (168) (119) (35) (154)
Corporate and Other
 (9) (9) 
 (9) (9)
Accumulated amortization$(1,536) $(239) $(1,775) $(1,357) $(219) $(1,576)
Carrying amount$109
 $104
 $213
 $288
 $124
 $412

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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Details of finite-lived intangible assets were as follows:
 October 25, 2020October 27, 2019
 Purchased
Technology
Other
Intangible
Assets
TotalPurchased
Technology
Other
Intangible
Assets
Total
 (In millions)
Gross carrying amount:
Semiconductor Systems$1,476 $256 $1,732 $1,449 $252 $1,701 
Applied Global Services35 44 79 33 44 77 
Display and Adjacent Markets163 38 201 163 38 201 
Corporate and Other13 16 29 
Gross carrying amount$1,687 $354 $2,041 $1,645 $343 $1,988 
Accumulated amortization:
Semiconductor Systems$(1,423)$(185)$(1,608)$(1,400)$(168)$(1,568)
Applied Global Services(31)(44)(75)(30)(44)(74)
Display and Adjacent Markets(157)(37)(194)(144)(37)(181)
Corporate and Other(1)(10)(11)(9)(9)
Accumulated amortization$(1,612)$(276)$(1,888)$(1,574)$(258)$(1,832)
Carrying amount$75 $78 $153 $71 $85 $156 

Details of amortization expense for each fiscal year by segment were as follows:
2018 2017 2016202020192018
     
(In millions) (In millions)
Semiconductor Systems$184
 $185
 $185
Semiconductor Systems$40 $43 $184 
Applied Global Services1
 1
 1
Applied Global Services
Display and Adjacent Markets14
 7
 
Display and Adjacent Markets13 13 14 
Corporate and Other
 
 3
Corporate and Other
Total$199
 $193
 $189
Total$56 $57 $199 
Amortization expense for each fiscal year was charged to the following categories:
2018 2017 2016202020192018
     
(In millions) (In millions)
Cost of products sold$180
 $173
 $167
Cost of products sold$37 $38 $180 
Research, development and engineering1
 1
 2
Research, development and engineering
Marketing and selling18
 19
 20
Marketing and selling18 18 18 
Total$199
 $193
 $189
Total$56 $57 $199 
As of October 28, 2018,25, 2020, future estimated amortization expense is expected to be as follows:
Amortization
Expense
Amortization
Expense
(In millions)
(In millions)
2019$57
202052
202139
2021$49 
202265
202233 
2023202320 
2024202417 
2025202515 
ThereafterThereafter19 
Total$213
Total$153 
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Note 10Borrowing Facilities and Debt
Note 11      Borrowing Facilities and Debt
Revolving Credit Facilities
In February 2020, Applied has credit facilities for unsecured borrowings in various currencies of up to $1.6 billion, of whichentered into a five-year $1.5 billion is comprised of a committed unsecured revolving credit agreement (Revolving Credit Agreement) with a group of banksbanks. The Revolving Credit Agreement includes a provision under which Applied may request an increase in the amount of the facility of up to $500 million for a total commitment of no more than $2.0 billion, subject to the receipt of commitments from one or more lenders for any such increase and other customary conditions. The Revolving Credit Agreement is scheduled to expire in February 2025, unless extended as permitted under the Revolving Credit Agreement. The Revolving Credit Agreement replaced Applied’s prior $1.5 billion credit agreement that iswas scheduled to expire in September 2021. This agreementThe Revolving Credit Agreement provides for borrowings in United States dollarsthat bear interest for each advance at interest rates keyed to one of various benchmarktwo rates selected by Applied, plus an applicable margin, which varies according to Applied’s public debt credit ratings.
In March 2020, Applied borrowed the full $1.5 billion available under the Revolving Credit Agreement in order to increase its cash position and preserve financial flexibility in light of the uncertainty in the global markets resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak. In May 2020, Applied repaid the full $1.5 billion of borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement. Applied may at any time and from time to time, borrow, repay and reborrow under the Revolving Credit Agreement during the term of the facility. The interest rate for each advance,the March 2020 borrowing under the Revolving Credit Agreement was one-month LIBOR plus a margin of 0.875%, based on Applied’s public debt ratingcredit ratings.
NaN amounts were outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement as of October 25, 2020 and includes financial and other covenants. RemainingOctober 27, 2019.
In addition, Applied has revolving credit facilities in the amount of approximately $71 million are with Japanese banks.banks pursuant to which it may borrow up to approximately $76 million in aggregate at any time. Applied’s ability to borrowunder these facilities is subject to bank approval at the time of the borrowing request, and any advances will be at rates indexed to the banks’ prime reference rate denominated in Japanese yen. NoAs of October 25, 2020 and October 27, 2019, 0 amounts were outstanding under anythese revolving credit facilities.
Term Loan and Short-term Commercial Paper
In August 2019, Applied entered into a term loan credit agreement with a group of these facilitieslenders. Under the agreement, the lenders have committed to make an unsecured term loan to Applied of up to $2.0 billion to finance in part Applied’s planned acquisition of all outstanding shares of Kokusai Electric, to pay related transaction fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes. The commitments of the lenders to make the term loan will terminate if the transactions contemplated by the Share Purchase Agreement are not consummated on or before December 30, 2020. The term loan, if advanced, will bear interest at one of 2 rates selected by Applied, plus an applicable margin, which varies according to Applied’s public debt credit ratings, and must be repaid in full on the third anniversary of the funding date of the term loan. NaN amounts were outstanding under this term loan credit agreement at both October 28, 201825, 2020 and October 29, 2017, and 27, 2019.
Applied has not utilized these credit facilities. In fiscal 2011, Applied established a short-term commercial paper program under which Applied may issue unsecured commercial paper notes of up to a total amount of $1.5 billion. At October 28, 201825, 2020 and October 29, 2017,27, 2019, Applied did not0t have any commercial paper outstanding.
In March 2017, Applied issued senior unsecured notes in the aggregate principal amount of $2.2 billion and in May 2017, used a portion of the net proceeds to redeem the outstanding $200 million in principal amount of its 7.125% senior notes due in October 2017.
Debt outstanding as of October 28, 2018 and October 29, 2017 was as follows:
 Principal Amount    
 October 28,
2018
 October 29,
2017
 
Effective
Interest Rate
 
Interest
Pay Dates
 (In millions)    
Long-term debt:       
2.625% Senior Notes Due 2020$600
 $600
 2.640% April 1, October 1
4.300% Senior Notes Due 2021750
 750
 4.326% June 15, December 15
3.900% Senior Notes Due 2025700
 700
 3.944% April 1, October 1
3.300% Senior Notes Due 20271,200
 1,200
 3.342% April 1, October 1
5.100% Senior Notes Due 2035500
 500
 5.127% April 1, October 1
5.850% Senior Notes Due 2041600
 600
 5.879% June 15, December 15
4.350% Senior Notes Due 20471,000
 1,000
 4.361% April 1, October 1
 5,350
 5,350
    
Total unamortized discount(11) (12)    
Total unamortized debt issuance costs(30) (34)    
Total long-term debt$5,309
 $5,304
    


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Senior Unsecured Notes
In May 2020, Applied issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 1.750% senior unsecured notes due 2030 and $750 million aggregate principal amount of 2.750% senior unsecured notes due 2050, in a registered public offering. In June 2020, Applied used a portion of the net proceeds from the offering to redeem the outstanding $600 million in aggregate principal amount of its 2.625% senior unsecured notes due October 1, 2020 and $750 million in aggregate principal amount of its 4.300% senior unsecured notes due June 15, 2021, at a total aggregate redemption price of $1.4 billion. As a result, Applied recognized a $33 million loss on early extinguishment of these senior unsecured notes.
Debt outstanding as of October 25, 2020 and October 27, 2019 was as follows:
Principal Amount
October 25,
2020
October 27,
2019
Effective
Interest Rate
Interest
Pay Dates
 (In millions)  
Current portion of long-term debt:
2.625% Senior Notes Due 2020$$600 2.640%April 1, October 1
Total current portion of long-term debt600 
Long-term debt, net of current portion:
4.300% Senior Notes Due 2021750 4.326%June 15, December 15
3.900% Senior Notes Due 2025700 700 3.944%April 1, October 1
3.300% Senior Notes Due 20271,200 1,200 3.342%April 1, October 1
1.750% Senior Notes Due 2030750 1.792%June 1, December 1
5.100% Senior Notes Due 2035500 500 5.127%April 1, October 1
5.850% Senior Notes Due 2041600 600 5.879%June 15, December 15
4.350% Senior Notes Due 20471,000 1,000 4.361%April 1, October 1
2.750% Senior Notes Due 2050750 2.773%June 1, December 1
5,500 4,750 
Total unamortized discount(15)(10)
Total unamortized debt issuance costs(37)(27)
Total long-term debt, net of current portion5,448 4,713 
Total debt$5,448 $5,313 

Note 12      Leases
A contract contains a lease when Applied has the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Applied leases certain facilities, vehicles and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases, many of which include options to renew. Options that are reasonably certain to be exercised are included in the calculation of the right-of-use asset and lease liability. Applied’s leases do not contain residual value guarantees or significant restrictions that impact the accounting for leases. As implicit rates are not available for the leases, Applied uses the incremental borrowing rate as of the lease commencement date in order to measure the right-of-use asset and liability. Operating lease expense is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Applied elected the practical expedient to account for lease and non-lease components as a single lease component for all leases. For leases with a term of one year or less, Applied elected not to record a right-of-use asset or lease liability and to account for the associated lease payments as they become due.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The components of lease expense and supplemental information were as follows:

2020
(In millions, except percentage)
Operating lease cost$69 
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)5.2
Weighted-average discount rate1.8 %
Total rent expense for fiscal 2019 and 2018, was $51 million and $50 million, respectively.
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases are as follows:

2020
(In millions)
Operating cash flows paid for operating leases$70 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities$156 
As of October 25, 2020, the maturities of lease liabilities are as follows:

 Operating Leases
Fiscal(In millions)
2021$68 
202255 
202348 
202442 
202533 
Thereafter25 
Total lease payments$271 
Less imputed interest(12)
Total$259 

Prior to the adoption of the new lease standard, future minimum lease payments as of October 27, 2019, as defined under the previous lease accounting guidance, were as follows:
 Lease Payments
Fiscal(In millions)
2020$45 
202134 
202224 
202321 
202417 
Thereafter30 
Total$171 

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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Note 11Stockholders’ Equity, Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation
Note 13      Stockholders’ Equity, Comprehensive Income and Share-Based Compensation
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), net of tax, were as follows:
 
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, NetUnrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments Qualifying as Cash Flow HedgesDefined and Postretirement Benefit PlansCumulative Translation AdjustmentsTotal
(In millions)
Balance at October 29, 2017$53 $(11)$(120)$14 (64)
Adoption of new accounting standards (a)(2)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(66)(23)(84)
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI15 (1)20 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(51)(17)(64)
Balance at October 28, 2018$$(9)$(137)$14 $(125)
Adoption of new accounting standards (b)(17)(17)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications22 (10)(57)(1)(46)
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI(1)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax21 (7)(51)(1)(38)
Balance at October 27, 2019$11 $(16)$(188)$13 $(180)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications16 (115)(21)(120)
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI(7)(2)10 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(117)(11)(119)
Balance at October 25, 2020$20 $(133)$(199)$13 $(299)
 Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments Qualifying as Cash Flow Hedges Defined and Postretirement Benefit Plans Cumulative Translation Adjustments Total
 (In millions)
Balance at October 25, 2015$14
 $(15) $(105) $14
 (92)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications14
 (33) (42) 
 (61)
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI2
 30
 6
 
 38
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax16
 (3) (36) 
 (23)
Balance at October 30, 2016$30
 $(18) $(141) $14
 $(115)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications24
 13
 29
 
 66
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI(1) (6) (8) 
 (15)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax23
 7
 21
 
 51
Balance at October 29, 2017$53
 $(11) $(120) $14
 $(64)
Adoption of new accounting standards (a)5
 (2) 
 
 3
          
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(66) 5
 (23) 
 (84)
Amounts reclassified out of AOCI15
 (1) 6
 
 20
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(51) 4
 (17) 
 (64)
Balance at October 28, 2018$7
 $(9) $(137) $14
 $(125)
(a) - Represents the reclassification adjustment related to the early adoption of Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-02 Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.See Note 1.
(b) - Represents the reclassification adjustment related to the adoption of Accounting Standard Update (ASU) 2016-01 Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.
The tax effects on net income of amounts reclassified from AOCIthe unrealized loss on derivative instruments qualifying as cash flow hedges for fiscal 20162020 was $22$33 million. The tax effects on net income of amounts reclassified from AOCI for the fiscal years 20182020, 2019 and 2017,2018 were not material.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
Stock Repurchase Programs
In September 2017, Applied’sFebruary 2018, the Board of Directors approved a common stock repurchase program authorizing up to $3.0 billion in repurchases. In February 2018, the Boardan aggregate of Directors approved a new common stock repurchase program authorizing up to an additional $6.0 billion in repurchases. At October 28, 2018, $4.325, 2020, $1.3 billion remained available for future stock repurchases under this repurchase program.
The following table summarizes Applied’s stock repurchases for each fiscal year:
2018 2017 2016202020192018
     
(In millions, except per share amounts) (In millions, except per share amounts)
Shares of common stock repurchased102
 28
 96
Shares of common stock repurchased12 60 102 
Cost of stock repurchased$5,283
 $1,172
 $1,892
Cost of stock repurchased$649 $2,403 $5,283 
Average price paid per share$51.55
 $42.08
 $19.82
Average price paid per share$56.32 $39.86 $51.55 
Applied records treasury stock purchases under the cost method using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Upon reissuance of treasury stock, amounts in excess of the acquisition cost are credited to additional paid in capital. If Applied reissues treasury stock at an amount below its acquisition cost and additional paid in capital associated with prior treasury stock transactions is insufficient to cover the difference between the acquisition cost and the reissue price, this difference is recorded against retained earnings.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Dividends
During fiscal 2018,2020, Applied's Board of Directors declared one quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per share and three quarterly cash dividends of $0.20$0.22 per share andshare. During fiscal 2019, Applied's Board of Directors declared one quarterly cash dividend of $0.10$0.20 per share and three quarterly cash dividends of $0.21 per share. During each of fiscal 2017 and 2016,2018, Applied’s Board of Directors declared fourone quarterly cash dividend of 0.10 per share and three quarterly cash dividends in the amount of $0.10$0.20 per share. Dividends paid during fiscal 2018, 20172020, 2019 and 20162018 amounted to $605$787 million, $430$771 million and $444$605 million, respectively. Applied currently anticipates that cash dividends will continue to be paid on a quarterly basis, although the declaration of any future cash dividend is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend on Applied’s financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, business conditions and other factors, as well as a determination by the Board of Directors that cash dividends are in the best interests of Applied’s stockholders.
Share-Based Compensation
Applied has a stockholder-approved equity plan, the Employee Stock Incentive Plan, which permits grants to employees of share-based awards, including stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units. In addition, the plan provides for the automatic grant of restricted stock units to non-employee directors and permits the grant of share-based awards to non-employee directors and consultants. Share-based awards made under the plan may be subject to accelerated vesting under certain circumstances in the event of a change in control of Applied. Applied also has two2 Employee Stock Purchase Plans, one1 generally for United States employees and a second for employees of international subsidiaries (collectively, ESPP), which enable eligible employees to purchase Applied common stock.
Applied recognized share-based compensation expense related to stock options,equity awards and ESPP shares, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units, and related tax benefits for each fiscal year as follows:
 2018 2017 2016
      
 (In millions)
Share-based compensation$258
 $220
 $201
Tax benefit recognized$45
 $60
 $63
shares. The effect of share-based compensation on the results of operations and the related tax benefits for each fiscal year waswere as follows:
202020192018
 (In millions)
Cost of products sold$103 $89 $87 
Research, development, and engineering116 99 96 
Marketing and selling36 31 31 
General and administrative52 44 44 
Total share-based compensation$307 $263 $258 
Income tax benefits recognized$39 $37 $45 
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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 2018 2017 2016
      
 (In millions)
Cost of products sold$87
 $69
 $62
Research, development, and engineering96
 83
 76
Marketing and selling31
 28
 26
General and administrative44
 40
 37
Total share-based compensation$258
 $220
 $201
Share-based expense in fiscal 2020 increased compared to the prior years primarily due to expense related to awards with provisions that became effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 that allow partial accelerated vesting in the event of a qualifying retirement.
The cost associated with share-based awards that are subject solely to time-based vesting requirements, less expected forfeitures, is recognized over the awards’ service period for the entire award on a straight-line basis. Share-based awards granted to certain executive officers allow partial accelerated vesting in the event of a qualifying retirement based on age and years of service. The cost associated with performance-based equity awards, which include both performance and market goals, is recognized for each tranche over the service period,period. The cost of equity awards related to performance goals is based on an assessment of the likelihood that the applicable performance goals will be achieved. For the equity awards based on market goals, the cost is recognized based upon the assumption of 100% achievement of the goal.
At October 28, 2018,25, 2020, Applied had $368$425 million in total unrecognized compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, related to grants of share-based awards and shares issued under Applied’s ESPP, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.4 years. At October 28, 2018,25, 2020, there were 8156 million shares available for grants of share-based awards under the Employee Stock Incentive Plan, and an additional 1710 million shares available for issuance under the ESPP.


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Stock Options
Stock options are rights to purchase, at future dates, shares of Applied common stock. The exercise price of each stock option equals the fair market value of Applied common stock on the date of grant. Options typically vest over three to four years, subject to the grantee’s continued service with Applied through the scheduled vesting date, and expire no later than seven years from the grant date. There were no0 stock options granted during fiscal 2018, 20172020, 2019 and 2016. Outstanding2018. There were no outstanding stock options at the end of fiscal 2018 were not material to the consolidated financial statements.2020.
Restricted Stock Units, Restricted Stock, Performance Shares and Performance Units
Restricted stock units are converted into shares of Applied common stock upon vesting on a one-for-one basis. Restricted stock has the same rights as other issued and outstanding shares of Applied common stock except these shares generally have no right to dividends and are held in escrow until the award vests. Performance shares and performance units are awards that result in a payment to a grantee, generally in shares of Applied common stock on a one-for-one basis, if performance goals and/or other vesting criteria established by the Human Resources and Compensation Committee of Applied’s Board of Directors are achieved or the awards otherwise vest. Restricted stock units, restricted stock, performance shares and performance units typically vest over three to four years and vesting is usually subject to the grantee’s continued service with Applied and, in some cases, achievement of specified performance goals. The compensation expense related to the service-based awards is determined using the fair market value of Applied common stock on the date of the grant, and the compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period.
CertainDuring fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018, certain executive officers were granted awards that are subject to the achievement of specified performance goals (performance-based awards). These awards become eligible to vest only if performance goals are achieved and will vest only if the grantee remains employed by Applied through each applicable vesting date. The fair value of these awards is estimated on the date of grant. If the goals are achieved, the awards will vest, provided that the grantee remains employed by Applied through each scheduled vesting date. If the performance goals are not met as of the end of the performance period, no compensation expense is recognized and any previously recognized compensation expense is reversed. The expected cost is based on the awards that are probable to vest and is reflected over the service period and reduced for estimated forfeitures.
For performance-basedPerformance-based awards granted in fiscal 2018 and 2017, certain
Certain awards require the achievement of positive adjusted operating profit and vest ratably over three years. Other awards require the achievement of targeted levels of adjusted operating profit margin and wafer fabrication equipment market share, and the number of shares that may vest in full after three years ranges from 0% to 200% of the target amount.
The fair value of these awards is estimated on the date of grant. If the performance goals are achieved as of the end of the performance period, the awards will vest, provided that the grantee remains employed by Applied through each applicable vesting date. If the performance goals are not achieved, no compensation expense is recognized and any previously recognized compensation expense is reversed. The expected cost is based on the awards that are probable to vest and is reflected over the service period and reduced for estimated forfeitures.
Performance-based awards granted in fiscal 2016 require2019 and 2020
Certain awards are subject to the achievement of targeted levels of adjusted annual operating profit margin and additional shares become eligible for time-based vesting if Applied achieves certain levels of total shareholder return (TSR) relative to a peer group, comprised of companies in the Standard & Poor’sPoor's 500 Information Technology Index,Index. Each metric will be weighted 50% and will be measured over a three-year period. The number of shares that may vest in full after three years ranges from 0% to 200% of the target amount. The awards become eligible to vest only if performance goals are achieved and will vest only if the grantee remains employed by Applied through each applicable vesting date, subject to a qualifying retirement based on age and years of service. The awards provide for a partial payout based on actual performance at the endconclusion of the three-year performance period in the event of a two-year period.


qualifying retirement.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The fair value of the portion of the awards subject to targeted levels of adjusted operating margin is estimated on the date of grant. If the performance goals are not achieved as of the end of the performance period, no compensation expense is recognized and any previously recognized compensation expense is reversed. The expected cost is based on the awards that are probable to vest and is reflected over the service period and reduced for estimated forfeitures.
The fair value of the portion of the awards subject to targeted levels of TSR is estimated on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Compensation expense is recognized based upon the assumption of 100% achievement of the TSR goal and will not be reversed even if the threshold level of TSR is never achieved, and is reflected over the service period and reduced for estimated forfeitures.
A summary of the changes in restricted stock units, restricted stock, performance shares and performance units outstanding under Applied’s equity compensation plans is presented below:
SharesWeighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Shares 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
      (In millions, except per share amounts)
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Non-vested restricted stock units, restricted stock, performance shares and performance units at October 25, 201527
 $16.41
 2.2 years $440
Granted11
 $18.54
  
Vested(11) $14.25
  
Canceled(2) $17.57
  
Non-vested restricted stock units, restricted stock, performance shares and performance units at October 30, 201625
 $18.28
 2.3 years $718
Granted8
 $31.79
  
Vested(10) $16.50
  
Canceled(1) $21.25
  
Non-vested restricted stock units, restricted stock, performance shares and performance units at October 29, 201722
 $23.96
 2.2 years $1,239
Non-vested restricted stock units, restricted stock, performance shares and performance units at October 29, 201722 $23.96 2.2 years$1,239 
Granted6
 $50.62
  Granted$50.62 
Vested(9) $22.15
  Vested(9)$22.15 
Canceled(1) $30.19
  Canceled(1)$30.19 
Non-vested restricted stock units, restricted stock, performance shares and performance units at October 28, 201818
 $32.64
 2.0 years $600
Non-vested restricted stock units, restricted stock, performance shares and performance units at October 28, 201818 $32.64 2.0 years$600 
GrantedGranted$36.00 
VestedVested(7)$28.41 
CanceledCanceled(1)$34.59 
Non-vested restricted stock units, restricted stock, performance shares and performance units at October 27, 2019Non-vested restricted stock units, restricted stock, performance shares and performance units at October 27, 201918 $35.78 2.1 years$985 
GrantedGranted$53.89 
VestedVested(8)$31.25 
CanceledCanceled(1)$42.61 
Non-vested restricted stock units, restricted stock, performance shares and performance units at October 25, 2020Non-vested restricted stock units, restricted stock, performance shares and performance units at October 25, 202015 $45.36 2.2 years$914 
Non-vested restricted stock units, restricted stock, performance shares and performance units expected to vest16
 $31.11
 1.9 years $523
Non-vested restricted stock units, restricted stock, performance shares and performance units expected to vest14 $45.51 2.1 years$871 
At October 28, 2018, 125, 2020, 1.2 million additional performance-based awards could be earned based upon achievement of certain levels of specified performance goals.
Employee Stock Purchase Plans
Under the ESPP, substantially all employees may purchase Applied common stock through payroll deductions at a price equal to 85 percent of the lower of the fair market value of Applied common stock at the beginning or end of each 6-month purchase period, subject to certain limits. Applied issued 3 million shares in each of fiscal 2018 and 2017, and 62020, 4 million shares duringin fiscal 2016,2019 and 3 million shares in fiscal 2018, under the ESPP. Compensation expense is calculated using the fair value of the employees’ purchase rights under the Black-Scholes model. Underlying assumptions used in the model are outlined in the following table:
 
2018 2017 2016202020192018
ESPP:     ESPP:
Dividend yield1.68% 0.99% 1.76%Dividend yield1.41 %1.99 %1.68 %
Expected volatility34.4% 26.3% 29.3%Expected volatility48.2 %35.5 %34.4 %
Risk-free interest rate2.09% 0.92% 0.47%Risk-free interest rate0.58 %2.21 %2.09 %
Expected life (in years)0.5
 0.5
 0.5
Expected life (in years)0.50.50.5
Weighted average estimated fair value$12.02 $9.14 $5.48Weighted average estimated fair value$17.30$10.61$12.02
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Note 1214      Employee Benefit Plans
Employee Bonus Plans
Applied has various employee bonus plans. A discretionary bonus plan provides for the distribution of a percentage of pre-tax income to Applied employees who are not participants in other performance-based incentive plans, up to a maximum percentage of eligible compensation. Other plans provide for bonuses to Applied’s executives and other key contributors based on the achievement of profitability and/or other specified performance criteria. Charges under these plans for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 2017 and 2016 were $382$471 million, $449$292 million and $312$382 million, respectively.
Employee Savings and Retirement Plan
Applied’s Employee Savings and Retirement Plan (the 401(k) Plan) is qualified under Sections 401(a) and (k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code). Eligible employees may make salary deferral and catch-up contributions under the 401(k) Plan on a pre-tax basis and on a Roth basis, subject to an annual dollar limit established by the Code. Applied matches 100% of participant salary and/or Roth deferral contributions up to the first 3% of eligible contribution and then 50% of every dollar between 4% and 6% of eligible contribution. Applied does not make matching contributions on any catch-up contributions made by participants. Plan participants who were employed by Applied or any of its affiliates became 100% vested in their Applied matching contribution account balances. Applied’s matching contributions under the 401(k) Plan were approximately $52 million for fiscal 2020, $49 million for fiscal 2019 and $45 million for fiscal 2018 and $38 million for each of fiscal 2017 and 2016.2018.


Defined Benefit Pension Plans of Foreign Subsidiaries and Other Post-RetirementPostretirement Benefits
Several of Applied’s foreign subsidiaries have defined benefit pension plans covering substantially all of their eligible employees. Benefits under these plans are typically based on years of service and final average compensation levels. The plans are managed in accordance with applicable local statutes and practices. Applied deposits funds for certain of these plans with insurance companies, pension trustees, government-managed accounts, and/or accrues the expense for the unfunded portion of the benefit obligation on its Consolidated Financial Statements. Applied’s practice is to fund the various pension plans in amounts sufficient to meet the minimum requirements as established by applicable local governmental oversight and taxing authorities. Depending on the design of the plan, local custom and market circumstances, the liabilities of a plan may exceed the qualified plan assets. The differences between the aggregate projected benefit obligations and aggregate plan assets of these plans have been recorded as liabilities by Applied and are included in other liabilities and accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Through December 31, 2017, Applied also sponsored a U.S. post-retirement plan that provided covered medical and vision benefits to certain eligible retirees. An eligible retiree also could elect coverage for an eligible spouse or domestic partner who was not eligible for Medicare. Coverage ended entirely for all participants when the plan terminated on December 31, 2017. In addition, Applied also has a post-retirement benefit plan as a result of the acquisition of Varian. Applied’s liability under these post-retirement plans, which was included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, were immaterial at each of October 28, 2018 and October 29, 2017.


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A summary of the changes in benefit obligations and plan assets, which includes post-retirement benefits, for each fiscal year is presented below:
 
2018 2017 2016202020192018
     
(In millions, except percentages) (In millions, except percentages)
Change in projected benefit obligation     Change in projected benefit obligation
Beginning projected benefit obligation$506
 $495
 $471
Beginning projected benefit obligation$617 $524 $506 
Service cost12
 13
 13
Service cost13 11 12 
Interest cost11
 10
 13
Interest cost10 11 
Plan participants’ contributions1
 2
 1
Plan participants’ contributions
Actuarial (gain) loss24
 (35) 77
Curtailments, settlements and special termination benefits(1) (1) (6)
Actuarial lossActuarial loss84 24 
SettlementsSettlements(1)(1)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes(16) 34
 (42)Foreign currency exchange rate changes33 (5)(16)
Benefits paid(12) (12) (10)Benefits paid(10)(8)(12)
Plan amendments and business combinations(1) 
 (22)
Plan amendments and other adjustmentsPlan amendments and other adjustments(1)
Ending projected benefit obligation$524
 $506
 $495
Ending projected benefit obligation$674 $617 $524 
Ending accumulated benefit obligation$490
 $472
 $460
Ending accumulated benefit obligation$627 $578 $490 
Range of assumptions to determine benefit obligations     Range of assumptions to determine benefit obligations
Discount rate0.6% - 3.1%
 0.5% - 3.4%
 0.5% - 3.1%
Discount rate0.4% - 6.5%0.5% - 3.1%0.6% - 3.1%
Rate of compensation increase2.4% - 3.5%
 2.2% - 3.5%
 1.6% - 3.6%
Rate of compensation increase2.3% - 10.0%2.3% - 3.6%2.4% - 3.5%
Change in plan assets     Change in plan assets
Beginning fair value of plan assets$361
 $310
 $281
Beginning fair value of plan assets$409 $365 $361 
Return on plan assets17
 18
 37
Return on plan assets30 17 
Employer contributions11
 16
 50
Employer contributions12 27 11 
Plan participants’ contributions1
 2
 1
Plan participants’ contributions
Foreign currency exchange rate changes(12) 28
 (45)Foreign currency exchange rate changes19 (5)(12)
Divestitures, settlements and business combinations(1) (1) (4)
SettlementsSettlements(1)(1)
Benefits paid(12) (12) (10)Benefits paid(10)(8)(12)
Ending fair value of plan assets$365
 $361
 $310
Ending fair value of plan assets$431 $409 $365 
Funded status$(159) $(145) $(185)Funded status$(243)$(208)$(159)
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets     Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets
Noncurrent asset$19
 $17
 $11
Noncurrent asset$$$19 
Current liability(1) (1) (2)Current liability(2)(1)(1)
Noncurrent liability(177) (161) (194)Noncurrent liability(241)(212)(177)
Total$(159) $(145) $(185)Total$(243)$(208)$(159)
Estimated amortization from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal period     Estimated amortization from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost over the next fiscal period
Actuarial loss$8
 $6
 $6
Actuarial loss$14 $12 $
Prior service credit(1) (4) (16)Prior service credit(1)
Total$7
 $2
 $(10)Total$14 $12 $
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss     Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
Net actuarial loss$161
 $141
 $186
Net actuarial loss$242 $226 $161 
Prior service credit(2) (4) (21)Prior service credit(2)
Total$159
 $137
 $165
Total$242 $226 $159 
Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets     Plans with projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets
Projected benefit obligation$365
 $326
 $341
Projected benefit obligation$674 $424 $365 
Fair value of plan assets$186
 $142
 $145
Fair value of plan assets$431 $211 $186 
Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets     Plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets
Accumulated benefit obligation$331
 $293
 $307
Accumulated benefit obligation$627 $385 $331 
Fair value of plan assets$186
 $142
 $145
Fair value of plan assets$431 $211 $186 
 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

2018 2017 20202019
Plan assets — allocation    Plan assets — allocation
Equity securities47% 47% Equity securities38 %36 %
Debt securities32% 39% Debt securities43 %45 %
Insurance contracts10% 11% Insurance contracts%%
Other investments10% 3% Other investments10 %10 %
Cash1% % 
The following table presents a summary of the ending fair value of the plan assets:
October 28, 2018 October 29, 2017 October 25, 2020October 27, 2019
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1Level 2Level 3TotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
               
(In millions) (In millions)
Equity securities$86
 $
 $
 $86
 $83
 $
 $
 $83
Equity securities$103 $$$103 $90 $$$90 
Debt securities19
 
 
 19
 16
 
 
 16
Debt securities72 72 70 70 
Insurance contracts
 
 36
 36
 
 
 38
 38
Insurance contracts39 39 36 36 
Other investments
 14
 
 14
 
 13
 
 13
Other investments16 16 14 14 
Cash2
 
 
 2
 2
 
 
 2
Cash
Total assets at fair value$107
 $14
 $36
 157
 $101
 $13
 $38
 152
Total assets at fair value$177 $16 $39 232 $160 $14 $36 210 
Assets measured at net asset value      208
       209
Assets measured at net asset value199 199 
Total

 

 

 $365
 

 

 

 $361
Total$431 $409 
The following table presents the activity in Level 3 instruments for each fiscal year:
2018 2017 20202019
    
(In millions) (In millions)
Balance, beginning of year$38
 $38
 Balance, beginning of year$36 $36 
Actual return on plan assets:    Actual return on plan assets:
Relating to assets still held at reporting date(1) (3) Relating to assets still held at reporting date(3)
Purchases, sales, settlements, net
 1
 Purchases, sales, settlements, net
Currency impact(1) 2
 Currency impact(1)
Balance, end of year$36
 $38
 Balance, end of year$39 $36 
Applied’s investment strategy for its defined benefit plans is to invest plan assets in a prudent manner, maintaining well-diversified portfolios with the long-term objective of meeting the obligations of the plans as they come due. Asset allocation decisions are typically made by plan fiduciaries with input from Applied’s international pension committee. Applied’s asset allocation strategy incorporates a sufficient equity exposure in order for the plans to benefit from the expected better long-term performance of equities relative to the plans’ liabilities. Applied retains investment managers, where appropriate, to manage the assets of the plans. Performance of investment managers is monitored by plan fiduciaries with the assistance of local investment consultants. The investment managers make investment decisions within the guidelines set forth by plan fiduciaries. Risk management practices include diversification across asset classes and investment styles, and periodic rebalancing toward target asset allocation ranges. Investment managers may use derivative instruments for efficient portfolio management purposes. Plan assets do not include any of Applied’s own equity or debt securities.
 

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A summary of the components of net periodic benefit costs and the weighted average assumptions used for net periodic benefit cost calculations for each fiscal year is presented below:
 
2018 2017 2016202020192018
     
(In millions, except percentages) (In millions, except percentages)
Components of net periodic benefit cost     Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost$12
 $13
 $13
Service cost$13 $11 $12 
Interest cost11
 10
 13
Interest cost10 11 
Expected return on plan assets(20) (18) (14)Expected return on plan assets(22)(20)(20)
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service credit3
 (10) 3
Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service credit12 
Settlement and curtailment loss
 
 (5)
Net periodic benefit cost (income)$6
 $(5) $10
Net periodic benefit costNet periodic benefit cost$11 $$
Weighted average assumptions     Weighted average assumptions
Discount rate2.16% 1.88% 2.82%Discount rate1.23 %1.98 %2.16 %
Expected long-term return on assets5.41% 5.38% 5.38%Expected long-term return on assets5.10 %5.40 %5.41 %
Rate of compensation increase2.66% 2.69% 2.71%Rate of compensation increase2.69 %2.74 %2.66 %
Asset return assumptions are derived based on actuarial and statistical methodologies, from analysis of long-term historical data relevant to the country in which each plan is in effect and the investments applicable to the corresponding plan. The discount rate for each plan was derived by reference to appropriate benchmark yields on high quality corporate bonds, allowing for the approximate duration of both plan obligations and the relevant benchmark yields.
Future expected benefit payments for the pension plans and the post-retirementpostretirement plan over the next ten fiscal years are as follows:
Benefit Payments
Benefit Payments(In millions)
(In millions)
2019$12
202012
202113
2021$14 
202213
202213 
202312
202314 
2024-202877
2024202414 
2025202514 
2026-20302026-203094 
$139
$163 
Company contributions to these plans for fiscal 20192021 are expected to be approximately $15$6 million.
Executive Deferred Compensation Plans
Applied sponsors two2 unfunded deferred compensation plans, the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (Predecessor EDCP) and the 2016 Deferred Compensation Plan (2016 DCP) (formerly known as the 2005 Executive Deferred Compensation Plan), under which certain employees may elect to defer a portion of their following year’s eligible earnings. The Predecessor EDCP was frozen as of December 31, 2004 such that no new deferrals could be made under the plan after that date and the plan would qualify for “grandfather” relief under Section 409A of the Code. The Predecessor EDCP participant accounts continue to be maintained under the plan and credited with deemed interest. The 2016 DCP was originally implemented by Applied effective as of January 1, 2005, and amended and restated as of October 12, 2015, and is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. In addition, Applied also sponsors a non-qualified deferred compensation plan as a result of the acquisition of Varian. Amounts payable for all plans, including accrued deemed interest, totaled $92$151 million and $63$123 million at October 28, 201825, 2020 and October 29, 2017,27, 2019, respectively, which were included in other liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.



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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 15      Income Taxes
Note 13Income Taxes
The components of income before income taxes for each fiscal year were as follows:
 
2018 2017 2016202020192018
     
(In millions) (In millions)
U.S.$439
 $514
 $199
U.S.$92 $363 $389 
Foreign4,255
 3,217
 1,814
Foreign4,074 2,906 4,007 
$4,694
 $3,731
 $2,013
$4,166 $3,269 $4,396 
The components of the provision for income taxes for each fiscal year were as follows:
2018 2017 2016202020192018
     
(In millions) (In millions)
Current:     Current:
U.S.$1,035
 $67
 $(36)U.S.$196 $240 $1,021 
Foreign126
 233
 351
Foreign263 260 117 
State22
 9
 (2)State20 12 22 
1,183
 309
 313
479 512 1,160 
Deferred:     Deferred:
U.S.151
 (11) 55
U.S.(3)151 
Foreign57
 (7) (89)Foreign76 46 57 
State(10) 6
 13
State(5)(3)(10)
198
 (12) (21)68 51 198 
$1,381
 $297
 $292
$547 $563 $1,358 
A reconciliation between the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate and Applied’s actual effective income tax rate for each fiscal year is presented below:
 
2018 2017 2016202020192018
Tax provision at U.S. statutory rate23.4 % 35.0 % 35.0 %Tax provision at U.S. statutory rate21.0 %21.0 %23.4 %
Changes in U.S. tax law23.7
 
 
Changes in U.S. tax law25.3 
Effect of foreign operations taxed at various ratesEffect of foreign operations taxed at various rates(5.9)(5.9)(15.6)
Changes in prior years’ unrecognized tax benefitsChanges in prior years’ unrecognized tax benefits0.5 2.6 (0.9)
Resolutions of prior years’ income tax filings(0.7) (1.9) 3.9
Resolutions of prior years’ income tax filings(1.0)(0.1)0.2 
Effect of foreign operations taxed at various rates(15.6) (24.9) (24.1)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit0.2
 0.3
 0.6
Research and other tax credits(0.7) (0.7) (1.3)Research and other tax credits(1.3)(1.1)(0.8)
U.S. domestic production deduction(0.1) (0.2) (0.2)
Share-based compensation(0.7) 0.4
 0.4
Other(0.1) 
 0.2
Other(0.2)0.7 (0.7)
29.4 % 8.0 % 14.5 %13.1 %17.2 %30.9 %
On December 22, 2017,June 14, 2019, the U.S. government enactedreleased regulations that significantly affect how the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) provision of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act includes(Tax Act) is interpreted. As a reduction toresult, Applied reversed a tax benefit of $96 million in the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35.0 percent to 21.0 percent and requires a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earningsthird quarter of foreign subsidiaries payable over eight years. U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities were subject to remeasurement due tofiscal 2019 that had been realized in the reductionfirst half of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate. Applied has a blended U.S. federal corporate tax rate of 23.4 percent for fiscal 2018 based on the number of days before and after the effective date of the Tax Act.

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The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118), which provides guidance on accounting for the income tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period for companies to complete this accounting. Pursuant to SAB 118, provisional adjustments were recorded when reasonable estimates could be determined. These provisional estimates will be revised as information becomes available and as guidance is issued by the Internal Revenue Service. The accounting for the income tax effects of the Tax Act will be completed during the measurement period, which will not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date. Applied continues to evaluate certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries used to calculate the transition tax. The remeasurement of U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities is complete.
The Tax Act also includes provisions that do not affect Applied in fiscal 2018, including a provision designed to tax global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”). Due to the complexity of the GILTI tax rules, this provision and related tax accounting will continue to be evaluated.2019. An accounting policy choice is allowedmay be selected to either treat taxes due on future U.S. inclusions related to GILTI temporary differences in taxable income either as a current-period expense when incurred (the “period(period cost method”)method) or factor such amounts into the measurement of deferred taxes (the “deferred method”)(deferred method). The calculation ofApplied has chosen the deferred balance with respect to the new GILTI tax provisions will depend, in part, on analyzing global income to determine whether future U.S. inclusions in taxable income are expected related to GILTI and, if so, what the impact is expected to be. An accounting policy choice has not yet been made.period cost method.
Before the Tax Act, U.S. income tax had not been provided for certain unrepatriated earnings that were considered indefinitely reinvested. Income tax is now provided for all unrepatriated earnings.
On March 27, 2020, the U.S. government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The enactment of the CARES Act does not result in any material adjustments to Applied’s provision for income taxes.
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Applied’s effective tax rate for fiscal 2020 was lower than fiscal 2019 primarily due to a decline in the tax expense from changes to uncertain tax provisions year-over-year, an increased tax benefit from tax credits, and increased excess stock compensation tax benefits. This benefit was partly offset by an unfavorable settlement of an uncertain tax position in fiscal 2020.
The effective tax rate for fiscal 20182019 was higherlower than fiscal 20172018 primarily due to tax expense of $1.1 billion in fiscal 2018 for the transition tax and remeasurement of deferred tax assets as a result of the Tax Act, partially offset by changes inAct. Excluding the geographical compositiontax expense of income, tax benefits from$1.1 billion, the lower U.S. federal corporate tax rate, adoption of authoritative guidance for share-based compensation, and the resolution of tax liabilities for uncertain tax positions. In addition, fiscal 2017 included tax benefits from the recognition of previously unrecognized foreign tax credits.
The effective tax rate for fiscal 20172019 was lowerhigher than fiscal 20162018 primarily due to certain provisions in the recognitionTax Act becoming effective in fiscal 2019, tax expense of previously unrecognized foreign tax credits and$87 million in fiscal 2019 related to changes in the geographical composition of income. In addition, fiscal 2016 included unfavorable resolutions and changes related to income tax liabilities for uncertain tax positions as well asand the reinstatement of the U.S. federal R&Dexcess tax credit retroactive to its expiration in December of 2015 which did not reoccurbenefit from share-based compensation in fiscal 2017.2019 being $42 million less than the prior fiscal year.
In the reconciliation between the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate and the effective income tax rate, the effect of foreign operations taxed at various rates represents the difference between an income tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and the recorded income tax provision, with the difference expressed as a percentage of worldwide income before income taxes. This effect is substantially related to the tax effect of pre-tax income in jurisdictions with lower statutory tax rates. The foreign operations with the most significant effective tax rate impact are in Singapore. The statutory tax rate for fiscal 2018 for Singapore is 17%. Applied has been granted conditional reduced tax rates that expire in fiscal 2025, excluding potential renewal and subject to certain conditions with which Applied expects to comply. The tax benefit arising from these tax rates was $272$215 million for fiscal 20182020 or $0.28$0.23 per diluted share.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for net operating loss and tax credit carryovers. Deferred tax assets are offset by a valuation allowance to the extent it is more likely than not that they are not expected to be realized. The components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities were as follows:

October 25,
2020
October 27,
2019
 (In millions)
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts$$
Inventory reserves and basis difference119 117 
Installation and warranty reserves14 11 
Intangible assets1,355 1,472 
Accrued liabilities24 15 
Deferred revenue32 36 
Tax credits326 264 
Deferred compensation130 98 
Share-based compensation30 36 
Lease liability55 
Other96 58 
Gross deferred tax assets2,185 2,115 
Valuation allowance(314)(257)
Total deferred tax assets1,871 1,858 
Deferred tax liabilities:
Fixed assets(76)(65)
Right of use assets(54)
Undistributed foreign earnings(39)(38)
Total deferred tax liabilities(169)(103)
Net deferred tax assets$1,702 $1,755 
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 October 28,
2018
 October 29,
2017
    
 (In millions)
Deferred tax assets:   
Allowance for doubtful accounts$8
 $13
Inventory reserves and basis difference117
 156
Installation and warranty reserves7
 1
Accrued liabilities20
 31
Deferred revenue9
 15
Tax credits236
 317
Deferred compensation79
 81
Share-based compensation37
 53
Other48
 67
Gross deferred tax assets561
 734
Valuation allowance(230) (227)
Total deferred tax assets331
 507
Deferred tax liabilities:   
Fixed assets(48) (36)
Intangible assets(38) (76)
Undistributed foreign earnings(32) (11)
Foreign exchange(3) (4)
Total gross deferred tax liabilities(121) (127)
Net deferred tax assets$210
 $380
The following table presents a summary of non-current deferred tax assets and liabilities:
 October 28,
2018
 October 29,
2017
    
 (In millions)
Non-current deferred tax asset$222
 $385
Non-current deferred tax liability(12) (5)
 $210
 $380

A valuation allowance is recorded to reflect the estimated amount of net deferred tax assets that may not be realized. Changes in the valuation allowance in each fiscal year were as follows:
202020192018
(In millions)
Beginning balance$257 $230 $227 
Increases57 27 
Decreases(5)
Ending balance$314 $257 $230 
 2018 2017 2016
      
 (In millions)
Beginning balance$227
 $207
 $207
Increases8
 20
 27
Decreases(5) 
 (27)
Ending balance$230
 $227
 $207
At October 28, 2018,25, 2020, Applied has state research and development tax credit carryforwards of $236$327 million, including $227$309 million of credits that are carried over until exhausted and $9$15 million that are carried over for 15 years and begin to expire in fiscal 2028. Management believes it2031. It is more likely than not that all tax credit carryforwards, net of valuation allowance, will be utilized.

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Applied maintains liabilities for uncertain tax positions. These liabilities involve considerable judgment and estimation and are continuously monitored by management based on the best information available. Gross unrecognized tax benefits are classified as non-current income taxes payable.payable or as a reduction in deferred tax assets. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of gross unrecognized tax benefits in each fiscal year is as follows:
202020192018
 (In millions)
Beginning balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits$845 $374 $391 
Settlements with tax authorities(446)(1)(152)
Lapses of statutes of limitation(3)(2)(37)
Increases in tax positions for current year44 33 91 
Increases in tax positions for prior years91 441 83 
Decreases in tax positions for prior years(35)(2)
Ending balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits$496 $845 $374 
 2018 2017 2016
      
 (In millions)
Beginning balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits$391
 $320
 $177
Settlements with tax authorities(152) (42) (25)
Lapses of statutes of limitation(37) (15) (2)
Increases in tax positions for current year91
 95
 62
Increases in tax positions for prior years83
 33
 109
Decreases in tax positions for prior years(2) 
 (1)
Ending balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits$374
 $391
 $320

The increases in tax positions for prior years of $441 million for fiscal 2019 include the effect of adoption of Accounting Standard Update 2016-16 Income Tax (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. Tax expense for interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 2017 and 2016 was $12$24 million, $17$24 million and $24$12 million, respectively. The income tax liability for interest and penalties for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 2017 and 2016 was $26$74 million, $46$50 million and $33$26 million, respectively, and was classified as non-current income taxes payable.
Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 2017 and 2016 are $294$410 million, $284$758 million, and $302$294 million, respectively, of tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.
In fiscal 2020, Applied settled tax audits in Singapore related to fiscal 2012 through fiscal 2019 for additional tax payments of $72 million and a reduction of future tax deductions of $374 million. The tax expense impact of these settlements was $26 million. In fiscal 2019, Applied paid an immaterial amount as a result of settlements with tax authorities. In fiscal 2018, Applied paid $158 million, including interest and penalties, as a result of a settlement in Israel for fiscal 2011 through fiscal 2015 resulting in the recognition of a tax benefit of $6 million. In fiscal 2017, Applied paid $29 million, including interest and penalties, as a result of a settlement in Italy for fiscal 2011 resulting in the recognition of a tax expense of $6 million. In fiscal 2016, Applied paid $25 million, including interest and penalties, as a result of a settlement in Switzerland for fiscal 2011 through fiscal 2015 resulting in the recognition of a tax expense of $19 million.
Applied’s tax returns remain subject to examination by taxing authorities. These include U.S. returns for fiscal 20102015 and later years, and foreign tax returns for fiscal 20092010 and later years.
The timing of the resolution of income tax examinations, as well as the amounts and timing of various tax payments that may be part of the settlement process, is highly uncertain. This could cause fluctuations in Applied’s financial condition and results of operations. Applied continues to have ongoing negotiations with various taxing authorities throughout the year.

Note 14
Warranty, Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
Applied leases some of its facilities and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases and has options to renew most leases, with rentals to be negotiated. Total rent expense for fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, was $50 million, $34 million and $38 million, respectively.
As of October 28, 2018, future minimum lease payments are expected to be as follows:
101
 Lease Payments
Fiscal(In millions)
2019$50
202040
202128
202220
202313
Thereafter22
 $173

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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 16      Warranty, Guarantees, Commitments and Contingencies
Warranty
Changes in the warranty reserves during each fiscal year were as follows:
202020192018
 (In millions)
Beginning balance$196 $208 $206 
Provisions for warranty165 148 175 
Changes in reserves related to preexisting warranty
Consumption of reserves(162)(167)(176)
Ending balance$201 $196 $208 
 2018 2017 2016
      
 (In millions)
Beginning balance$199
 $153
 $126
Provisions for warranty183
 166
 135
Changes in reserves related to preexisting warranty3
 1
 (12)
Consumption of reserves(176) (121) (96)
Ending balance$209
 $199
 $153
 
Applied products are generally sold with a warranty for a 12-month period following installation. The provision for the estimated cost of warranty is recorded when revenue is recognized. Parts and labor are covered under the terms of the warranty agreement. The warranty provision is based on historical experience by product, configuration and geographic region. Quarterly warranty consumption is generally associated with sales that occurred during the preceding four quarters, and quarterly warranty provisions are generally related to the current quarter’s sales.
Guarantees
In the ordinary course of business, Applied provides standby letters of credit or other guarantee instruments to third parties as required for certain transactions initiated by either Applied or its subsidiaries. As of October 28, 2018,25, 2020, the maximum potential amount of future payments that Applied could be required to make under these guarantee agreements was approximately $58 million.$233 million. Applied has not recorded any liability in connection with these guarantee agreements beyond that required to appropriately account for the underlying transaction being guaranteed. Applied does not believe, based on historical experience and information currently available, that it is probable that any amounts will be required to be paid under these guarantee agreements.
Applied also has agreements with various banks to facilitate subsidiary banking operations worldwide, including overdraft arrangements, issuance of bank guarantees, and letters of credit. As of October 28, 2018,25, 2020, Applied has provided parent guarantees to banks for approximately $149$153 million to cover these arrangements.
Legal Matters
From time to time, Applied receives notification from third parties, including customers and suppliers, seeking indemnification, litigation support, payment of money or other actions by Applied in connection with claims made against them. In addition, from time to time, Applied receives notification from third parties claiming that Applied may be or is infringing or misusing their intellectual property or other rights. Applied also is subject to various other legal proceedings and claims, both asserted and unasserted, that arise in the ordinary course of business.
Although the outcome of the above-described matters, claims and proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, Applied does not believe that any will have a material effect on its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.


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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Note 15Industry Segment Operations
Note 17      Industry Segment Operations
Applied’s three3 reportable segments are: Semiconductor Systems, Applied Global Services, and Display and Adjacent Markets. As defined under the accounting literature, Applied’s chief operating decision-maker has been identified as the President and Chief Executive Officer, who reviews operating results to make decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance for the entire Company. Segment information is presented based upon Applied’s management organization structure as of October 28, 201825, 2020 and the distinctive nature of each segment. Future changes to this internal financial structure may result in changes to Applied’s reportable segments.
The Semiconductor Systems reportable segment includes semiconductor capital equipment for etch, rapid thermal processing, deposition, chemical mechanical planarization, metrology and inspection, wafer packaging, and ion implantation.
The Applied Global Services segment provides integrated solutions to optimize equipment and fab performance and productivity, including spares, upgrades, services, certain remanufactured earlier generation equipment and factory automation software for semiconductor, display and other products.
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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
The Display and Adjacent Markets segment includes products for manufacturing liquid crystal displays (LCDs), organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), equipment upgrades and flexible coating systems and other display technologies for TVs, monitor,monitors, laptops, personal computers, smart phones, and other consumer-oriented devices.
Each operating segment is separately managed and has separate financial results that are reviewed by Applied’s chief operating decision-maker. Each reportable segment contains closely related products that are unique to the particular segment. Segment operating income is determined based upon internal performance measures used by Applied’s chief operating decision-maker. The chief operating decision-maker does not evaluate operating segments using total asset information.
Applied derives the segment results directly from its internal management reporting system. The accounting policies Applied uses to derive reportable segment results are substantially the same as those used for external reporting purposes. Management measures the performance of each reportable segment based upon several metrics including orders, net sales and operating income. Management uses these results to evaluate the performance of, and to assign resources to, each of the reportable segments.
The Corporate and Other category includes revenues from products, as well as costs of products sold, for fabricating solar photovoltaic cells and modules, and certain operating expenses that are not allocated to its reportable segments and are managed separately at the corporate level. These operating expenses include costs related to share-based compensation; certain management, finance, legal, human resources, and research, development and engineering functions provided at the corporate level; and unabsorbed information technology and occupancy. In addition, Applied does not allocate to its reportable segments restructuring and asset impairment charges and any associated adjustments related to restructuring actions, unless these actions pertain to a specific reportable segment. Segment operating income also excludes interest income/expense and other financial charges and income taxes. Management does not consider the unallocated costs in measuring the performance of the reportable segments.


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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Information for each reportable segment for and as of the end of each fiscal year were as follows:
 
Net SalesOperating
Income (Loss)
Depreciation/
Amortization
Capital
Expenditures
Accounts ReceivableInventories
 (In millions)
2020:
Semiconductor Systems$11,367 $3,714 $219 $226 $2,061 $2,139 
Applied Global Services4,155 1,127 34 30 764 1,545 
Display and Adjacent Markets1,607 291 31 29 179 195 
Corporate and Other73 (767)92 137 (41)25 
Total$17,202 $4,365 $376 $422 $2,963 $3,904 
2019:
Semiconductor Systems$9,027 $2,464 $202 $168 $1,543 $1,703 
Applied Global Services3,854 1,101 25 47 790 1,535 
Display and Adjacent Markets1,651 294 22 43 246 214 
Corporate and Other76 (509)114 183 (46)22 
Total$14,608 $3,350 $363 $441 $2,533 $3,474 
2018:
Semiconductor Systems$10,577 $3,441 $303 $168 $1,597 $2,215 
Applied Global Services3,754 1,102 21 33 630 1,243 
Display and Adjacent Markets2,298 574 20 39 142 246 
Corporate and Other76 (626)113 382 (46)17 
Total$16,705 $4,491 $457 $622 $2,323 $3,721 
Semiconductor Systems and Display and Adjacent Markets revenues are recognized at a point in time. Applied Global Services revenue is recognized at a point in time for tangible goods such as spare parts and equipment, and over time for service agreements. The majority of revenue recognized over time is recognized within 12 months of the contract inception.
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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 Net Sales 
Operating
Income  (Loss)
 
Depreciation/
Amortization
 Capital
Expenditures
 Accounts Receivable Inventories
            
 (In millions)
2018:           
Semiconductor Systems$10,903
 $3,634
 $303
 $168
 $1,755
 $2,213
Applied Global Services3,754
 1,102
 21
 33
 610
 1,243
Display and Adjacent Markets2,498
 679
 20
 39
 248
 249
Corporate and Other98
 (619) 113
 382
 (48) 17
Total$17,253
 $4,796
 $457
 $622
 $2,565
 $3,722
2017:           
Semiconductor Systems$9,517
 $3,173
 $286
 $150
 $1,626
 $1,760
Applied Global Services3,017
 817
 15
 21
 564
 762
Display and Adjacent Markets1,900
 502
 12
 17
 190
 367
Corporate and Other103
 (624) 94
 157
 (42) 41
Total$14,537
 $3,868
 $407
 $345
 $2,338
 $2,930
2016:           
Semiconductor Systems$6,873
 $1,807
 $277
 $114
 $1,524
 $1,188
Applied Global Services2,589
 682
 12
 14
 559
 594
Display and Adjacent Markets1,206
 245
 5
 6
 238
 215
Corporate and Other157
 (582) 95
 119
 (42) 53
Total$10,825
 $2,152
 $389
 $253
 $2,279
 $2,050
Net sales for Semiconductor Systems by end use application for the periods indicated were as follows:


202020192018
Foundry, logic and other59 %52 %36 %
Dynamic random-access memory (DRAM)20 %22 %27 %
Flash memory21 %26 %37 %
100 %100 %100 %

The reconciling items included in Corporate and Other were as follows:
202020192018
 (In millions)
Unallocated net sales$73 $76 $76 
Unallocated cost of products sold and expenses(533)(322)(444)
Share-based compensation(307)(263)(258)
Total$(767)$(509)$(626)
 2018 2017 2016
      
 (In millions)
Unallocated net sales$98
 $103
 $157
Unallocated cost of products sold and expenses(459) (507) (538)
Share-based compensation(258) (220) (201)
Total$(619) $(624) $(582)


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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


For geographical reporting, revenue by geographic location is determined by the location of customers’ facilities to which products were shipped. Long-lived assets consist primarily of property, plant and equipment and are attributed to the geographic location in which they are located. Net sales and long-lived assets by geographic region for and as of each fiscal year were as follows:
 
202020192018
 (In millions)
Net sales:
United States$1,619 $1,871 $1,413 
China5,456 4,277 5,047 
Korea3,031 1,929 3,539 
Taiwan3,953 2,965 2,504 
Japan1,996 2,198 2,396 
Europe736 820 1,009 
Southeast Asia411 548 797 
Total outside United States15,583 12,737 15,292 
Consolidated total$17,202 $14,608 $16,705 

October 25,
2020
October 27,
2019
 (In millions)
Long-lived assets:
United States$1,628 $1,539 
China14 20 
Korea21 24 
Taiwan59 56 
Japan16 16 
Europe21 28 
Southeast Asia18 23 
Total outside United States149 167 
Consolidated total$1,777 $1,706 
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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
 2018 2017 2016
      
 (In millions)
Net sales:     
United States$1,532
 $1,474
 $1,143
China5,113
 2,746
 2,259
Korea3,603
 4,052
 1,883
Taiwan2,732
 3,291
 2,843
Japan2,405
 1,518
 1,279
Europe1,066
 816
 615
Southeast Asia802
 640
 803
Total outside United States15,721
 13,063
 9,682
Consolidated total$17,253
 $14,537
 $10,825

 October 28,
2018
 October 29,
2017
    
 (In millions)
Long-lived assets:   
United States$1,414
 $915
China13
 47
Korea21
 21
Taiwan29
 50
Japan9
 8
Europe50
 47
Southeast Asia25
 98
Total outside United States147
 271
Consolidated total$1,561
 $1,186

The following customers accounted for at least 10 percent of Applied’s net sales in each fiscal year, which were for products and services in multiple reportable segments:
2018 2017 2016202020192018
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.13% 23% 13%Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.18 %*13 %
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited11% 15% 16%Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited18 %14 %*
Intel Corporation11% *
 11%Intel Corporation*12 %11 %
Micron Technology, Inc.*
 *
 11%

* Less than 10%





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APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Note 16Unaudited Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data
Note 18      Unaudited Quarterly Consolidated Financial Data
 
 Fiscal Quarter 
 FirstSecondThirdFourthFiscal Year
 (In millions, except per share amounts)
2020:
Net sales$4,162 $3,957 $4,395 $4,688 $17,202 
Gross profit$1,858 $1,749 $1,955 $2,130 $7,692 
Net income$892 $755 $841 $1,131 $3,619 
Earnings per diluted share$0.96 $0.82 $0.91 $1.23 $3.92 
2019:
Net sales$3,753 $3,539 $3,562 $3,754 $14,608 
Gross profit$1,665 $1,530 $1,557 $1,634 $6,386 
Net income$771 $666 $571 $698 $2,706 
Earnings per diluted share$0.80 $0.70 $0.61 $0.75 $2.86 


105
 Fiscal Quarter  
 First Second Third Fourth Fiscal Year
          
 (In millions, except per share amounts)
2018:         
Net sales$4,204
 $4,567
 $4,468
 $4,014
 $17,253
Gross profit$1,920
 $2,090
 $2,027
 $1,780
 $7,817
Net income$135
 $1,129
 $1,173
 $876
 $3,313
Earnings per diluted share$0.13
 $1.09
 $1.17
 $0.89
 $3.23
2017:        
Net sales$3,278
 $3,546
 $3,744
 $3,969
 $14,537
Gross profit$1,445
 $1,600
 $1,700
 $1,787
 $6,532
Net income$703
 $824
 $925
 $982
 $3,434
Earnings per diluted share$0.65
 $0.76
 $0.85
 $0.91
 $3.17

Table of Contents



INDEX TO EXHIBITS
These Exhibits are numbered in accordance with the Exhibit Table of Item 601 of Regulation S-K:
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit No.DescriptionFormFile No.Exhibit No.Filing Date
8-K000-069203.13/16/2020
8-K000-069203.23/16/2020
8-K000-069204.16/10/2011
8-K000-069204.26/10/2011
8-K000-069204.19/24/2015
8-K000-069204.13/31/2017
8-K000-069204.15/29/2020
10-K000-0692010.441/31/2000
10-K000-0692010.461/31/2000
S-8333-450114.11/27/1998
8-K000-0692010.4610/31/2005
10-Q000-0692010.583/3/2009
10-K000-0692010.4812/12/2008
10-K000-0692010.4912/12/2008
10-Q000-0692010.18/23/2018
10-Q000-0692010.45/24/2012
10-Q000-0692010.55/24/2012
10-Q000-0692010.38/23/2012
10-K000-0692010.1212/13/2019
10-Q000-0692010.28/22/2013
106
  Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit No.DescriptionFormFile No.Exhibit No.Filing Date
10-Q000-069203.16/3/2009
10-Q000-069203(i)(a)9/14/1999
8-K000-069203.112/11/2015
8-K000-069204.16/10/2011
8-K000-069204.26/10/2011
8-K000-069204.19/24/2015
8-K000-069204.13/31/2017
10-K000-0692010.441/31/2000
10-K000-0692010.461/31/2000
S-8333-450114.11/27/1998
8-K000-0692010.4610/31/2005
10-Q000-0692010.583/3/2009

99


Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit No.DescriptionFormFile No.Exhibit No.Filing Date
10-Q000-0692010.48/22/2013
10-Q000-0692010.22/20/2014
10-K000-0692010.4912/17/2014
10-Q000-0692010.42/19/2015
10-Q000-0692010.52/19/2015
10-K000-0692010.2112/13/2019
10-K000-0692010.3312/9/2015
10-Q000-0692010.15/25/2017
10-Q000-0692010.25/25/2017
10-Q000-0692010.12/21/2019
10-Q000-0692010.22/21/2019
10-Q000-0692010.32/21/2019
10-Q000-0692010.42/21/2019
8-K000-069202.17/1/2019
8-K000-0692010.18/21/2019
8-K000-0692010.28/21/2019
10-Q000-0692010.12/20/2020
8-K000-0692010.12/21/2020
8-K000-0692010.17/9/2020
107
  Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit No.DescriptionFormFile No.Exhibit No.Filing Date
10-K000-0692010.4812/12/2008
10-K000-0692010.4912/12/2008
10-Q000-0692010.18/23/2018
10-Q000-0692010.45/24/2012
10-Q000-0692010.55/24/2012
10-Q000-0692010.38/23/2012
10-K000-0692010.5412/5/2012
10-Q000-0692010.28/22/2013
10-Q000-0692010.48/22/2013
10-Q000-0692010.22/20/2014
10-K000-0692010.4912/17/2014
10-Q000-0692010.42/19/2015
10-Q000-0692010.52/19/2015
8-K000-0692010.19/9/2015
8-K000-0692010.19/5/2017
10-K000-0692010.3212/9/2015
10-K000-0692010.3312/9/2015
10-Q000-0692010.15/25/2017
10-Q000-0692010.25/25/2017
    
    
    

100



Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit No.DescriptionFormFile No.Exhibit No.Filing Date
101.INSXBRL Instance Document‡
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document‡
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document‡
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document‡
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document‡
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document‡
*104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL)

*Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement, as required by Item 15(a)(3).
Filed herewith.
Furnished herewith.
Filed herewith.

Furnished herewith.
108


101




SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
By:
/S/    GARY E. DICKERSON
Gary E. Dickerson
President, Chief Executive Officer
Dated: December 13, 201811, 2020


POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Gary E. Dickerson, Daniel J. Durn and Thomas F. Larkins,Teri Little, jointly and severally, his or her attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or his substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
******
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
TitleDate
/S/    GARY E. DICKERSON
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)December 13, 201811, 2020
Gary E. Dickerson
/S/    DANIEL J. DURN
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)
December 13, 201811, 2020
Daniel J. Durn
/S/    CHARLES W. READ
Corporate Vice President,

Corporate Controller and

Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)
December 13, 201811, 2020
Charles W. Read
/S/   THOMAS J. IANNOTTI
Thomas J. IannottiChairman of the BoardDecember 13, 201811, 2020
/S/    JUDY BRUNER
Judy BrunerDirectorDecember 13, 201811, 2020
/S/    XUN CHEN
Xun ChenDirectorDecember 13, 201811, 2020
/S/    AART J. DE GEUS
Aart J. de GeusDirectorDecember 13, 201811, 2020
/S/    STEPHEN R. FORREST
Stephen R. ForrestDirectorDecember 13, 201811, 2020
/S/    ALEXANDER A. KARSNER
Alexander A. KarsnerDirectorDecember 13, 201811, 2020
/S/    ADRIANNA C. MA
Adrianna C. MaDirectorDecember 13, 201811, 2020
/s/ YVONNE MCGILL
Yvonne McGillDirectorDecember 11, 2020
/s/ SCOTT A. MCGREGOR
Scott A. McGregorDirectorDecember 13, 2018
/S/    DENNIS D. POWELL
Dennis D. PowellDirectorDecember 13, 201811, 2020


102
109