Applied Materials ($AMAT) and Teradyne ($TER): Weighing Two AI Semiconductor Equipment Plays Applied Materials (AMAT) is the largest provider of semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment (WFE), while Teradyne (TER) specializes in automated test equipment and robotics. Both names are riding an AI-driven surge in memory and advanced packaging demand, but they occupy different points in the semiconductor manufacturing value chain. AMAT has delivered record quarters and repeatedly raised guidance, yet the shares pulled back sharply from prior highs on valuation concerns.