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%