PREVIEW: Applied Materials dips; investors focus on trade tensions

** Applied Materials AMAT.O shares dipping 0.4% on Thurs ahead of qtrly results after the bell, as investors watch for impact from export curbs and China trade tensions
** Analysts expect the chip manufacturing equipment maker to report qtrly rev up 7% to $7.22 bln. Adj EPS seen at $2.36 vs $2.12 yr-ago, per LSEG
** AMAT missed rev est last qtr, citing weaker sales in its semiconductor systems segment and ongoing export restrictions to China
** Stock recently at 19x expected earnings, just above 5-yr avg forward PE of 18
** AMAT up about 16% YTD, outpacing Nasdaq .IXIC which is up 12%