APPLIED MATERIALS INC /DE
DEF 14A, 2000-02-18
SPECIAL INDUSTRY MACHINERY, NEC
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<PAGE>

                           SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

  Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of
                                     1934
                               (Amendment No.  )

Filed by the Registrant [X]

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [_]

Check the appropriate box:

                                          [_Confidential,]for Use of the
[_]Preliminary Proxy Statement              Commission Only (as Permitted by
                                            Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

[X]Definitive Proxy Statement

[_]Definitive Additional Materials

[_]Soliciting Material Pursuant to (S)240.14a-11(c) or (S)240.14a-12


                            Applied Materials, Inc.
             -----------------------------------------------------
               (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)


             -----------------------------------------------------
   (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

[X]No fee required.

[_]$125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2) or
   Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.

[_]$500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-
   6(i)(3).

[_]Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

  (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

  (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

  (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
    pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
    filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

  (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

  (5) Total fee paid:

[_]Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

[_]Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
   0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
   previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
   or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

  (1) Amount Previously Paid:

  (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

  (3) Filing Party:

  (4) Date Filed:

Notes:
<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPLIED MATERIALS


James C. Morgan
CHAIRMAN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                                                             [APPLIED MATERIALS]
February 18, 2000

Dear Applied Materials Stockholder:

I am pleased to invite you to attend Applied Materials' 2000 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders which will be held at The Tech Museum of Innovation, 201 South
Market Street, San Jose, California on Tuesday, March 21, 2000 at 2:00 p.m. At
the meeting, you will be asked to elect ten directors and to vote on proposals
to amend the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of
shares of authorized common stock from 1,100,000,000 to 2,500,000,000; to
approve an increase of 19,100,000 shares in the number of shares authorized for
issuance under Applied's 1995 Equity Incentive Plan (which I refer to as the
"1995 Plan"); and to approve the amended and restated Senior Executive Bonus
Plan, as required by federal tax laws.

As we have just announced, the Board of Directors has declared a 100% stock
dividend to effect a two-for-one stock split to stockholders of record on
February 25, 2000, payable on or about March 15, 2000. We are pleased that the
Board has approved this dividend and hope that you are as well.

This dividend distribution does not increase or otherwise affect the number of
shares of common stock (1,100,000,000) the Company is currently authorized to
issue under its Certificate of Incorporation. Instead, this dividend
distribution will significantly reduce the Company's pool of authorized but
unissued shares of common stock. Accordingly, we are asking you to approve an
amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to increase by 1,400,000,000 the
number of shares of authorized common stock. This proposed increase would give
the Board the flexibility to issue stock in the future for important purposes,
such as additional stock dividends, public offerings, acquisitions or other
corporate purposes. If the proposed amendment is approved, the resulting number
of authorized, unissued and unreserved shares would permit the Board to declare
an additional 100% stock dividend without the necessity of another amendment to
the Company's Certificate of Incorporation. Although we have no current plans
to declare another dividend, the Board believes having the flexibility to do so
is in the best interests of both the Company and its stockholders.

We are asking you to approve an amendment to the Company's 1995 Plan because we
strongly believe that stock option grants are essential to the success of the
Company. We have effectively used stock options to attract, retain and motivate
people whose skills and performance are critical to the Company's success. As
the Company grows, we will need to retain and motivate current employees, and
attract and motivate new employees. As a result, we need more options in order
to continue our success.

The need to reapprove our performance-based bonus plan, the Senior Executive
Bonus Plan, arises because of federal tax laws. These laws require stockholder
approval at least once every five years for incentive compensation under this
plan to remain tax-deductible to the Company.

I urge you to carefully read our proxy statement. We hope you like its new
"plain English" format.

I urge you to vote FOR the director nominees, FOR the proposal to authorize
additional shares under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, FOR the
proposal to authorize additional shares for the 1995 Plan and FOR the amended
and restated Senior Executive Bonus Plan.

I hope to see you at the March 21, 2000 meeting.

Sincerely,

/s/ James C. Morgan
James C. Morgan

<TABLE>
 <C>                             <S>
 3050 Bowers Avenue              Mailing Address:
 Santa Clara, California 95054   Applied
                                 Materials, Inc.
 Phone: (408) 727-5555           P.O. Box 58039
 FAX: (408) 496-6421             Santa Clara,
                                 California 95052
 Telex: 34-6332
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

                 NOTICE OF 2000 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

  The 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Applied Materials, Inc. will be
held on Tuesday, March 21, 2000 at 2:00 p.m. at The Tech Museum of Innovation,
201 South Market Street, San Jose, California, to conduct the following items
of business:

    1. To elect ten directors to serve for a one-year term and until their
       successors have been elected.

    2. To approve an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to
       increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for issuance
       from 1,100,000,000 to 2,500,000,000.

    3. To approve the amended and restated 1995 Equity Incentive Plan.

    4. To approve the amended and restated Senior Executive Bonus Plan.

    5. To transact other business as may properly come before the meeting or
       any postponement or adjournment of the meeting.

  Stockholders who owned shares of our stock at the close of business on
Friday, January 28, 2000 are entitled to attend and vote at the meeting. A
complete list of these stockholders will be available during normal business
hours for ten days prior to the meeting at 10 Almaden Boulevard, Suite 530,
San Jose, California, 95113. A stockholder may examine the list for any
legally valid purpose related to the meeting.

  Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please complete, date,
sign and return the enclosed proxy card as promptly as possible in the
accompanying reply envelope. You may also be able to submit your proxy over
the Internet or by telephone. For specific instructions, please refer to the
information provided with your proxy card.

                                          By Order of the Board of Directors

                                          Donald A. Slichter
                                          Secretary

Santa Clara, California
February 18, 2000
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                          <C>
General Information.........................................................   1
Voting Procedures...........................................................   1
Methods of Voting...........................................................   1
Revoking Your Proxy.........................................................   2
Quorum Requirement..........................................................   2
Votes Required for Each Proposal............................................   2
Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes............................................   3
Voting Confidentiality......................................................   3
Voting Results..............................................................   3
Proxy Solicitation Costs....................................................   3

Proposals...................................................................   4
Item 1--Election of Directors...............................................   4
Item 2--Approval of the Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation.......   4
Item 3--Approval of the Amended and Restated 1995 Equity Incentive Plan.....   4
Item 4--Approval of the Amended and Restated Senior Executive Bonus Plan....   4
Other Matters...............................................................   5

Item 1--Election of Directors...............................................   6
Nominees....................................................................   6
Directors/Nominees..........................................................   6
Board and Committee Meetings................................................   8
Compensation of Directors...................................................   9

Principal Stockholders......................................................  10

Executive Compensation and Related Information..............................  11
Summary Compensation Table..................................................  11
Option Grants...............................................................  12
Options Exercised...........................................................  13
Compensation Committee Report...............................................  13
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.................  15
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions..............................  15

Stock Performance Graph.....................................................  16

Item 2--Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation.......................  16

Item 3--Amended and Restated 1995 Equity Incentive Plan.....................  17

Item 4--Amended and Restated Senior Executive Bonus Plan....................  22

Other Information...........................................................  24
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.....................  24
Relationship with Independent Public Accountants............................  24
No Incorporation by Reference...............................................  24
Stockholder Proposals--2001 Annual Meeting..................................  24
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

                              GENERAL INFORMATION

  The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of
Applied Materials, Inc., a Delaware corporation, with its principal executive
offices at 3050 Bowers Avenue, Santa Clara, California, 95054, for use at
Applied Materials' 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 2:00 p.m.
on Tuesday, March 21, 2000.

  This proxy statement contains important information regarding Applied
Materials' 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proposals on which you are
being asked to vote, information you may find useful in determining how to
vote, and voting procedures.

  A number of abbreviations are used in this proxy statement. We refer to
Applied Materials, Inc. as "Applied." The term "proxy materials" includes this
proxy statement, as well as the enclosed proxy card and 1999 Annual Report.
References to "fiscal 1999" mean Applied's 1999 fiscal year which began on
October 26, 1998 and ended on October 31, 1999. Applied's 2000 Annual Meeting
of Stockholders is simply referred to as "the meeting."

  The Board of Directors of Applied is sending this proxy statement on or
about February 18, 2000 to all stockholders of Applied as of the record date,
January 28, 2000. Stockholders who owned Applied's common stock at the close
of business on January 28, 2000 are entitled to attend and vote at the
meeting. On the record date, there were 386,486,616 shares of Applied's common
stock issued and outstanding.

  Unless otherwise indicated, numbers of shares described in this proxy
statement do not take into account the stock dividend approved by the Board of
Directors on February 15, 2000.

Voting Procedures

  As a stockholder of Applied, you have a right to vote on certain business
matters affecting Applied. The proposals that will be presented at the meeting
and upon which you are being asked to vote are discussed in the following
section entitled "Proposals." Each share of Applied's common stock you own
entitles you to one vote. The enclosed proxy card indicates the number of
shares you own. You may vote by mail, by telephone, over the Internet, or in
person at the meeting.

Methods of Voting

  Voting by Mail. By signing and returning the proxy card in the enclosed
prepaid and addressed envelope, you are enabling the individuals named on the
proxy card (known as "proxies") to vote your shares at the meeting in the
manner you indicate. We encourage you to sign and return the proxy card even
if you plan to attend the meeting. In this way, your shares will be voted even
if you are unable to attend the meeting.

  Your shares will be voted in accordance with the instructions you indicate
on the proxy card. If you return the proxy card but do not indicate your
voting instructions, your shares will be voted as follows:

  .  FOR the ten named nominees for directors;

  .  FOR approval of the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation;

  .  FOR approval of the amended and restated 1995 Equity Incentive Plan; and

  .  FOR approval of the amended and restated Senior Executive Bonus Plan.

  If you received more than one proxy card, it is an indication that your
shares are held in multiple accounts. Please sign and return all proxy cards
to ensure that all of your shares are voted. We encourage you to consolidate
all accounts under the same name and address in order to receive better
stockholder service. You may consolidate multiple accounts by contacting our
transfer agent, Harris Trust and Savings Bank, at Customer Service, 1-877-388-
5186.

  Voting by Telephone. You may be able to vote by telephone. If so,
instructions are included with your proxy card. If you vote by telephone, you
do not need to complete and mail your proxy card.

<PAGE>

  Voting on the Internet. You may be able to vote on the Internet. If so,
instructions are included with your proxy card. If you vote on the Internet,
you do not need to complete and mail your proxy card.

  Voting in Person at the Meeting. If you plan to attend the meeting and vote
in person, we will provide you with a ballot at the meeting. If your shares
are registered directly in your name, you are considered the stockholder of
record and you have the right to vote in person at the meeting.

  If your shares are held in the name of your broker or other nominee, you are
considered the beneficial owner of shares held in street name. If you wish to
vote at the meeting, you will need to bring with you to the meeting a legal
proxy from your broker or other nominee authorizing you to vote such shares.

  Applied Plan Participants. If you are a participant in Applied's Employee
Savings and Retirement Plan (a "401(k)" plan) or Applied's Employees' Stock
Purchase Plan, you will receive one proxy card for all shares you own through
these plans, assuming your shares are registered in the same name. This proxy
card will serve as a voting instruction card for the custodians or trustees of
these plans.

  If you own shares through the Employee Savings and Retirement Plan and you
do not vote, the plan trustees will vote your shares in the same proportion as
shares for which instructions were received from other stockholders under the
plan. If you own shares through the Employees' Stock Purchase Plan and do not
vote, your shares will be voted in accordance with normal brokerage industry
practices. Some of these industry practices are described in this proxy
statement under the section "Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes."

Revoking Your Proxy

  You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the meeting. In
order to do this, you may either:

  .  sign and return another proxy at a later date;

  .  provide written notice of the revocation to Applied's Secretary; or

  .  attend the meeting and vote in person.

Quorum Requirement

  A quorum, which is a majority of the outstanding shares as of the record
date, January 28, 2000, must be present in order to hold the meeting and to
conduct business. Shares are counted as being present at the meeting if you
appear in person at the meeting or if you vote your shares on the Internet, by
telephone, or by submitting a properly executed proxy card.

Votes Required for Each Proposal

  The vote required and method of calculation for the proposals to be
considered at the meeting are as follows:

  Item 1--Election of Directors. The ten nominees receiving the highest number
of votes, in person or by proxy, will be elected as directors.

  Item 2--Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation. Approval of the
amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation requires the affirmative vote of
a majority of shares outstanding.

  Item 3--Amended and Restated 1995 Equity Incentive Plan. Approval of the
amended and restated 1995 Equity Incentive Plan requires the affirmative vote
of a majority of the shares present at the meeting, in person or by proxy.

  Item 4--Amended and Restated Senior Executive Bonus Plan. Approval of the
amended and restated Senior Executive Bonus Plan requires the affirmative vote
of a majority of the shares present at the meeting, in person or by proxy.

                                       2
<PAGE>

  You may vote either "for" or "withhold" your vote for each nominee for
election as a director. You may vote "for," "against," or "abstain" from the
proposals to approve (a) the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation,
(b) the amended and restated 1995 Equity Incentive Plan, and (c) the amended
and restated Senior Executive Bonus Plan.

Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

  If you return a proxy card that indicates an abstention from voting in all
matters, the shares represented will be counted as present for the purpose of
determining a quorum, but they will not be voted on any matter at the meeting.
Consequently, if you abstain from voting on the proposal to approve (a) the
amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, (b) the amended and restated
1995 Equity Incentive Plan, or (c) the amended and restated Senior Executive
Bonus Plan, your abstention has the same effect as a vote against the
proposal.

  Under New York Stock Exchange rules, brokerage firms have authority to vote
customers' non-voted shares (known as "broker non-votes") on certain routine
matters. All four of our proposals should be treated as routine matters under
New York Stock Exchange rules. Consequently, if you do not give a proxy to
vote your shares, your brokerage firm may either leave your shares unvoted or
vote your shares on routine matters. To the extent your brokerage firm votes
shares on your behalf on any of the proposals, your shares will be counted as
present for the purpose of determining a quorum.

Voting Confidentiality

  Proxies, ballots and voting tabulations are handled on a confidential basis
to protect your voting privacy. Information will not be disclosed except as
required by law.

Voting Results

  Final voting results will be announced at the meeting and will be published
in Applied's Form 10-Q for the second quarter of fiscal 2000. We file this
quarterly report with the Securities and Exchange Commission. After the report
is filed, you may obtain a copy by:

  .  visiting our website at www.appliedmaterials.com;

  .  contacting our Investor Relations department toll-free at 1-800-882-
     0373; or

  .  visiting the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Proxy Solicitation Costs

  Applied will bear the entire cost of solicitation, including the
preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of the proxy materials. We have
hired Innisfree M&A Incorporated to assist in the distribution and
solicitation of proxies. In addition to the estimated cost of $20,000 plus
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for this service, we will reimburse
brokerage firms and other custodians for their reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses for forwarding the proxy materials to you. Our transfer agent, Harris
Trust and Savings Bank, will tabulate the proxies and act as inspector of the
election.

                                       3
<PAGE>

                                   PROPOSALS

  The Board of Directors has included four proposals on the agenda for the
meeting.

Item 1--Election of Directors

  The first proposal is the election of ten directors. Nominees for directors
are James C. Morgan, Dan Maydan, Michael H. Armacost, Deborah A. Coleman,
Herbert M. Dwight, Jr., Philip V. Gerdine, Tsuyoshi Kawanishi, Paul R. Low,
Steven L. Miller, and Stan Shih. With the exception of Stan Shih, each nominee
is currently a director of Applied.

  Additional information about the election of directors and a brief biography
of each nominee begins on page 6.

  The Board recommends a vote for each of these nominees.

Item 2--Approval of the Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation

  The second proposal is to approve the amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for
issuance.

  Our Certificate of Incorporation currently authorizes the issuance of up to
1,100,000,000 shares of common stock, having a par value of $.01 per share. We
are asking our stockholders to approve an amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation to increase the number of shares of common stock authorized for
issuance from 1,100,000,000 to 2,500,000,000.

  Our Board believes it is desirable to increase the authorized shares of
common stock of Applied to reserve a sufficient number of shares to meet all
known requirements, and to provide flexibility in the future for general
corporate purposes such as stock dividends or splits, acquisitions, and
issuances under stock option and other employee incentive programs.

  Additional information about the amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation begins on page 16.

  The Board recommends a vote to approve the amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation.

Item 3--Approval of the Amended and Restated 1995 Equity Incentive Plan

  The third proposal is to approve the amended and restated 1995 Equity
Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance by
19,100,000 shares.

  Employees are our most important resource. The contributions of our
employees are critical to our success. Stock option grants play a vital role
in attracting, retaining and motivating people. Our continued growth, combined
with the extension of stock option grants to a broader employee base, requires
the use of additional shares.

  Additional information about the amended and restated 1995 Equity Incentive
Plan begins on page 17.

  The Board recommends a vote to approve the amended and restated 1995 Equity
Incentive Plan.

Item 4--Approval of the Amended and Restated Senior Executive Bonus Plan

  The fourth proposal is to approve the amended and restated Senior Executive
Bonus Plan.


                                       4
<PAGE>

  The Senior Executive Bonus Plan was approved by our stockholders at the 1995
Annual Meeting of Stockholders. We are required to periodically resubmit the
plan for stockholder approval so that the plan may continue to qualify as
performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue
Code. This qualification provides us with a federal income tax deduction for
this compensation.

  More information about the amended and restated Senior Executive Bonus Plan
begins on page 22.

  The Board recommends a vote to approve the amended and restated Senior
Executive Bonus Plan.

Other Matters

  Other than the election of directors and proposals to approve the amendment
to the Certificate of Incorporation, the amended and restated 1995 Equity
Incentive Plan, and the amended and restated Senior Executive Bonus Plan, our
Board of Directors does not intend to bring any other matters to be voted on
at the meeting. Our Board is not currently aware of any other matters that
will be presented by others for action at the meeting. However, if other
matters are properly presented at the meeting and you have signed and returned
your proxy card, or voted on the Internet or by telephone, the proxies will
have discretion to vote your shares on such matters to the extent authorized
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                         ITEM 1--ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Nominees

  The Board of Directors of Applied is elected each year at the Annual Meeting
of Stockholders. Ten directors will be elected at this year's meeting. Each
director will serve until the 2001 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until he
or she is succeeded by another qualified director who has been elected, or
until his or her death, resignation or removal. With the exception of Stan
Shih, each nominee who appears in the following table is currently a director
of Applied.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Director
       Name of Nominee      Age         Principal Occupation            Since
       ---------------      ---         --------------------           --------
   <C>                      <C> <S>                                    <C>
   James C. Morgan.........  61 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer     1977
                                 of Applied Materials, Inc.

   Dan Maydan..............  64 President of Applied Materials, Inc.     1992

   Michael H. Armacost.....  62 President of The Brookings               1993
                                 Institution

   Deborah A. Coleman......  47 Chair of Merix Corporation               1997

   Herbert M. Dwight, Jr...  69 Retired Chief Executive Officer of       1981
                                 Optical Coating Laboratory, Inc.

   Philip V. Gerdine.......  60 Retired Executive Director (Overseas     1976
                                 Acquisitions) of Siemens AG

   Tsuyoshi Kawanishi......  70 Retired Senior Advisor to Toshiba        1994
                                 Corporation

   Paul R. Low.............  66 Chief Executive Officer of P.R.L.        1992
                                 Associates

   Steven L. Miller........  54 Chairman, President and Chief            1999
                                 Executive Officer of Shell Oil
                                 Company

   Stan Shih...............  55 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer      N/A
                                 of Acer Inc.
</TABLE>

  There is no family relationship between any of the nominees or between any
of the nominees and any of Applied's executive officers. Applied's executive
officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Detailed
information about Applied's directors and nominees is provided below.

Directors/Nominees

  James C. Morgan has been Chairman of Applied Materials, Inc. since 1987 and
Chief Executive Officer of Applied Materials, Inc. since February 1977. Mr.
Morgan is a director of Cisco Systems, Inc.

  Dan Maydan has been President of Applied Materials, Inc. since December 1993
and served as Chairman of Applied Komatsu Technology, Inc. from December 1991
to October 1998. From 1990 to December 1993, he was Executive Vice President
of Applied Materials, Inc. Dr. Maydan is a director of Electronics for
Imaging, Inc. and Drexler Technology Corporation.

  Michael H. Armacost has been President of The Brookings Institution, a non-
partisan public policy research organization, since October 1995. In May 1998
he joined IBM's Asia-Pacific Board, which is an advisory council to IBM's
Asia-Pacific operations. From September 1993 through September 1995, he was a
Distinguished Senior Fellow and Visiting Professor at the Asia-Pacific
Research Center, Stanford University. From 1989 to 1993, he was the U.S.
Ambassador to Japan. Mr. Armacost is a director of TRW, Inc., AFLAC
Incorporated, and Cargill, Incorporated.

  Deborah A. Coleman has been Chair of Merix Corporation, a manufacturer of
interconnect solutions for use in electronic equipment, since March 1994 and
served as Chief Executive Officer of Merix Corporation from March 1994 to
September 1999. Ms. Coleman has been a partner of SmartForest Ventures, LLC, a
venture capital firm, since October 1999. From November 1992 through March
1994, she was the Vice President of Materials Operations at Tektronix, Inc.
Ms. Coleman is a director of Merix Corporation and Synopsys, Inc.

                                       6
<PAGE>

  Herbert M. Dwight, Jr. served as Chief Executive Officer of Optical Coating
Laboratory, Inc., a manufacturer of optical thin films and components, from
1991 until his retirement in 1998. Mr. Dwight is a director of Applied
Magnetics Corporation and Advanced Fibre Communications, Inc.

  Philip V. Gerdine served as Executive Director (Overseas Acquisitions) of
Siemens AG, Munich, Germany, a manufacturer of electrical and electronic
products, from 1990 until his retirement in 1998. Dr. Gerdine is a director of
Solectron Corporation.

  Tsuyoshi Kawanishi served as Senior Advisor to Toshiba Corporation, a
manufacturer of electrical and electronic products, from June 1994 to February
1999. Mr. Kawanishi has been Chairman of the Management Board of the Institute
of Microelectronics since June 1996. From June 1990 to June 1994, he was
Senior Executive Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors of
Toshiba Corporation. From November 1995 to July 1999, Mr. Kawanishi was a
director of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd. and from October 1997
to October 1999, he was a director of Advanpack Solutions Pte., Ltd. Mr.
Kawanishi is a director of Asyst Technologies, Inc.

  Paul R. Low has been Chief Executive Officer of P.R.L. Associates, a
consulting firm, since July 1992. Dr. Low is a director of Solectron
Corporation and Veeco Instruments Inc.

  Steven L. Miller has been Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of
Shell Oil Company, an oil and natural gas producer, natural gas marketer and
petrochemical manufacturer, since July 1999. From 1996 to 1999, Mr. Miller was
the managing director of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies. Mr. Miller
is a director for the American Petroleum Institute, a member of the National
Petroleum Council, and serves on the board of advisors for Rice University's
James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy.

  Stan Shih has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Acer Inc.,
Taipei, Taiwan, a manufacturer of personal computers, since 1981. Mr. Shih has
been an advisor to the Republic of China's Presidential Office and a member of
the Republic of China's Space Program Steering Committee since 1996. Mr. Shih
is a director of Acer Sertek, TSMC-Acer, and Acer Computer (Singapore) Pte.,
Ltd.

  Alfred J. Stein, 67, has served as a director of Applied Materials, Inc.
since 1981. Mr. Stein served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of VLSI
Technology, Inc., a manufacturer of semiconductor devices, from March 1982
until June 1999. Mr. Stein is a director of Tandy Corporation. Mr. Stein's
term as director will end on March 21, 2000, and he is not standing for
election to the Board at the meeting.

                                       7
<PAGE>

Board and Committee Meetings

  The Board of Directors met seven times during fiscal 1999. Each director,
except Mr. Tsuyoshi Kawanishi, attended at least 75% of all Board and
applicable committee meetings during fiscal 1999. The table below describes
the committees of the Board. The Board does not have a nominating committee or
a committee that serves a similar function.

  During fiscal 1999, the Board approved the establishment of the Stockholder
Rights Plan Review Committee. The new committee is chaired by Deborah A.
Coleman and its members include Herbert M. Dwight, Jr. and Philip V. Gerdine.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Number of
                                                                                          Meetings
 Committees of the Board of                                                                Held in
        Directors(1)                         Functions of the Committees                    1999
 --------------------------                  ---------------------------                  ---------
 <C>                         <S>                                                          <C>
 Audit and Finance Committee
 ---------------------------
 Members(2):                 .  make recommendations to the Board regarding the                4
                                appointment of independent auditors
 Michael H. Armacost         .  review with Applied's financial management the plans
 Deborah A. Coleman             for, and results of, the independent audit engagement
 Philip V. Gerdine*          .  review Applied's system of internal accounting
                                controls
 Alternate Members:          .  monitor Applied's internal audit program to assure that
                                areas of potential risk are adequately covered
 Paul R. Low                 .  review legal and regulatory matters that may have a
 Alfred J. Stein                material effect on Applied's financial statements

 *Chairman

 Compensation Committee
 ----------------------

 Members:                    .  determine compensation policies applicable to Applied's        4
                                executive officers
 Herbert M. Dwight, Jr.*     .  determine the compensation of the Chief Executive
 Paul R. Low                    Officer
 Alfred J. Stein             .  administer the 1995 Equity Incentive Plan
                             .  administer the Senior Executive Bonus Plan
 Alternate Members:          .  administer other stock and compensation plans

 Michael H. Armacost
 Deborah A. Coleman

 *Chairman
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) By resolution of the Board of Directors on September 10, 1999, the name of
    the Audit Committee was changed to the Audit and Finance Committee and the
    name of the Stock Option and Compensation Committee was changed to the
    Compensation Committee. The name changes were effective as of June 23,
    1999.

(2) During fiscal 1999, Mr. Tsuyoshi Kawanishi was a member of the Audit and
    Finance Committee from October 26, 1998 to June 22, 1999.

                                       8
<PAGE>

Compensation of Directors

  Directors who are officers of Applied do not receive any additional
compensation for their services as a director. During fiscal 1999, non-
employee directors of Applied received the following compensation:

  .  a quarterly retainer of $3,750;

  .  a fee of $2,000 for each Board meeting attended;

  .  a fee of $500 for each committee meeting attended if the committee met
     on a day other than the day the Board met; and

  .  reasonable expenses of attending Board and committee meetings.

  Mr. Kawanishi received an additional $1,200 for each Board meeting attended.
Directors who are not residents of California are reimbursed for the costs of
preparing California tax returns. Mr. Kawanishi is also reimbursed for the
costs of preparing a U.S. federal tax return.

  Non-employee directors participate in one compensation plan, the 1995 Equity
Incentive Plan. Effective fiscal 2000, non-employee directors receive the
following non-qualified stock options:

  .  24,000 shares on the date he or she is first elected or appointed to the
     Board; and

  .  10,000 shares on the last business day of each fiscal year during which
     he or she has served on the Board.

  The annual option grant of 10,000 shares will be made only if the non-
employee director was a member of the Board for the entire fiscal year and was
not an employee of Applied or any affiliate for any part of the fiscal year
then ending.

  The exercise price for all non-employee director options is 100% of the fair
market value of the shares on the grant date.

  An annual option grant to non-employee directors of 6,000 shares of common
stock was made on October 29, 1999 at an exercise price of $89.81 per share.
An initial option grant of 24,000 shares of common stock was made to Mr.
Miller on December 7, 1999, in conjunction with his appointment to the Board,
at an exercise price of $111.25 per share. Assuming continued service on the
Board, all non-employee director options become exercisable over a four-year
period, beginning on the date of grant. Exercisability for some or all options
may be accelerated if the director dies or retires. The options generally
expire no later than five years after the date of grant (up to six years in
the event of the director's death).

                                       9
<PAGE>

                            PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

  The following table indicates how much common stock is beneficially owned as
of October 31, 1999 by (a) each of the directors and nominee, (b) each of the
named executive officers, and (c) the directors and executive officers as a
group. In general, "beneficial ownership" refers to shares that a director or
executive officer has the power to vote, or the power to transfer, and stock
options that are exercisable currently or become exercisable within 60 days.
No person or entity was known by Applied to own 5% or more of Applied's common
stock as of October 31, 1999.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               Shares
                                                            Beneficially
                                                                Owned
                                                          ---------------------
   Name                                                   Number(1)     Percent
   ----                                                   ---------     -------
   <S>                                                    <C>           <C>
   Non-Employee Directors and Nominee:
   Michael H. Armacost...................................    91,800(2)     *
   Deborah A. Coleman....................................    24,500(3)     *
   Herbert M. Dwight, Jr.................................   100,500(4)     *
   Philip V. Gerdine.....................................    49,500(5)     *
   Tsuyoshi Kawanishi....................................    13,500(6)     *
   Paul R. Low...........................................    25,500(7)     *
   Steven L. Miller......................................         0(8)     *
   Stan Shih**...........................................         0        *
   Alfred J. Stein.......................................    59,500(9)     *

   Named Executive Officers:
   James C. Morgan....................................... 1,529,879(10)    *
   Dan Maydan............................................   635,893(11)    *
   Joseph R. Bronson.....................................    53,159(12)    *
   Sasson Somekh.........................................   815,707(13)    *
   David N.K. Wang.......................................   659,096(14)    *
   Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (13
    persons)............................................. 4,058,534      1.06%
</TABLE>
- --------
  *Less than 1%
 **Nominee

 (1) Except as subject to applicable community property laws, the persons
     named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to
     all shares of common stock.

 (2) Includes options to purchase 25,500 shares that were exercisable within
     60 days of October 31, 1999.

 (3) Includes options to purchase 24,500 shares that were exercisable within
     60 days of October 31, 1999.

 (4) Includes options to purchase 25,500 shares that were exercisable within
     60 days of October 31, 1999.

 (5) Includes options to purchase 25,500 shares that were exercisable within
     60 days of October 31, 1999.

 (6) Includes options to purchase 13,500 shares that were exercisable within
     60 days of October 31, 1999.

 (7) Includes options to purchase 25,500 shares that were exercisable within
     60 days of October 31, 1999.

 (8) Options to purchase 24,000 shares, none of which were exercisable within
     60 days of October 31, 1999, were granted to Mr. Miller on December 7,
     1999.

 (9) Includes options to purchase 10,500 shares that were exercisable within
     60 days of October 31, 1999.

(10) Includes 180,000 shares held in a family foundation and options to
     purchase 428,000 shares that were exercisable within 60 days of October
     31, 1999.

(11) Includes 309,141 shares held in a family trust, 18,456 shares held in a
     charitable trust, and 267,138 shares held in family partnerships.

(12) Includes 15,000 shares held in a family trust, 896 shares held as
     custodian for Mr. Bronson's children and nephew, and options to purchase
     26,000 shares that were exercisable within 60 days of October 31, 1999.

(13) Includes options to purchase 182,000 shares that were exercisable within
     60 days of October 31, 1999.

(14) Includes options to purchase 182,000 shares that were exercisable within
     60 days of October 31, 1999.

                                      10
<PAGE>

                EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED INFORMATION

  The following table shows compensation information during each of Applied's
last three fiscal years for our Chief Executive Officer and the next four most
highly compensated executive officers.

                          Summary Compensation Table

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Annual Compensation       Long-Term Compensation
                                  ------------------------- -----------------------------
                                                                   Awards         Payouts
                                                     Other  --------------------- -------
                                                    Annual             Securities
                                                    Compen- Restricted Underlying  LTIP      All Other
 Name and Principal        Fiscal Salary    Bonus   sation    Stock     Options   Payouts Compensation (1)
 Position                   Year    ($)      ($)      ($)   Awards ($)    (#)       ($)         ($)
 ------------------        ------ ------- --------- ------- ---------- ---------- ------- ----------------
 <S>                       <C>    <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>        <C>        <C>     <C>
 James C. Morgan.........   1999  778,542 1,268,000     0        0      280,000       0         7,200
  Chairman and Chief        1998  747,914   264,190     0        0       80,000       0         7,200
  Executive Officer         1997  671,539   602,640     0        0      160,000       0         6,750

 Dan Maydan..............   1999  613,085 1,029,770     0        0      240,000       0        66,458(2)
  President                 1998  571,323   201,812     0        0       70,000       0       107,656(3)
                            1997  508,094   460,350     0        0      140,000       0         6,750

 Joseph R. Bronson.......   1999  407,692   596,706     0        0      180,000       0        11,708(4)
  Senior Vice President,    1998  363,077   135,900     0        0       40,000       0         4,077
  Office of the             1997  271,154   486,000     0        0       44,000       0         3,779
  President,
  Chief Financial Officer
  and Chief
  Administrative Officer

 Sasson Somekh...........   1999  413,012   596,706     0        0      180,000       0         7,200
  Senior Vice President,    1998  394,732   139,433     0        0       40,000       0         4,051
  Office of the President   1997  348,077   318,060     0        0       80,000       0         3,742

 David N. K. Wang........   1999  413,012   596,706     0        0      180,000       0         7,200
  Senior Vice President,    1998  394,732   139,433     0        0       40,000       0         4,051
  Office of the President   1997  348,077   318,060     0        0       80,000       0         3,742
</TABLE>
- -------
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the amounts in this column consist of matching
    contributions made by Applied under the Employee Savings and Retirement
    Plan, a "401(k)" plan providing for broad-based employee participation.

(2) This amount consists of Applied's matching contribution of $7,200 under
    the Employee Savings and Retirement Plan and a payment of $59,258 from
    Applied for the sale of shares in connection with the termination of the
    Applied Komatsu Technology, Inc. Executive Incentive Stock Purchase Plan,
    further described in this proxy statement under the section "Certain
    Relationships and Related Transactions."

(3) This amount consists of Applied's matching contribution of $7,200 under
    the Employee Savings and Retirement Plan, a payment of $99,856 related to
    a bonus payment connected with Applied Komatsu Technology, Inc. and a
    payment of $600 as part of Applied's Patent Incentive Award Program.

(4) This amount consists of Applied's matching contribution of $7,200 under
    the Employee Savings and Retirement Plan and a payment of $4,508 in
    connection with moving expenses from Austin, Texas to Santa Clara,
    California.

                                      11
<PAGE>

Option Grants

  The following table shows all options to acquire shares of Applied's stock
granted to the named executive officers during the fiscal year ended October
31, 1999.

                    Stock Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Individual Grants(1)
                                     ------------------------
                                                                          Potential Realizable Value
                          Number of    % of Total                          at Assumed Annual Rates
                         Securities     Options                          of Stock Price Appreciation
                         Underlying    Granted to   Exercise                  for Option Term(2)
                           Options     Employees      Price   Expiration ----------------------------
          Name           Granted (#) in Fiscal Year ($/Share)    Date         5%            10%
          ----           ----------- -------------- --------- ---------- ------------- --------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>            <C>       <C>        <C>           <C>
James C. Morgan.........   120,000        0.93%       62.00    04/15/06      3,028,827      7,058,455
                           160,000        1.24%       78.75    09/10/06      5,129,465     11,953,835

Dan Maydan..............   100,000        0.77%       62.00    04/15/06      2,524,023      5,882,046
                           140,000        1.08%       78.75    09/10/06      4,488,282     10,459,606

Joseph R. Bronson.......    80,000        0.62%       62.00    04/15/06      2,019,218      4,705,637
                           100,000        0.77%       78.75    09/10/06      3,205,916      7,471,147

Sasson Somekh...........    80,000        0.62%       62.00    04/15/06      2,019,218      4,705,637
                           100,000        0.77%       78.75    09/10/06      3,205,916      7,471,147

David N.K. Wang.........    80,000        0.62%       62.00    04/15/06      2,019,218      4,705,637
                           100,000        0.77%       78.75    09/10/06      3,205,916      7,471,147
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The options in this table were granted on April 15, 1999 and September 10,
    1999 and have an exercise price per share equal to the fair market value
    of Applied's common stock on the grant date. Assuming continued employment
    with Applied, options granted on April 15, 1999 become exercisable on July
    15, 2002, and options granted on September 10, 1999 become exercisable on
    July 15, 2003. The options may become exercisable sooner if the officer
    dies or retires. Applied has not granted any stock appreciation rights.

(2) As required by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, these columns
    show gains that may exist for the respective options, assuming that the
    market price for Applied's common stock appreciates from the date of grant
    over a period of 10 years at the annual rates of 5% and 10%, respectively.
    If the price of Applied's common stock does not increase above the
    exercise price at the time of exercise, the value realizable from these
    options will be zero.

                                      12
<PAGE>

Options Exercised

   The following table shows all stock options exercised by the named
executive officers during the fiscal year ended October 31, 1999 and the
number and value of options they held as of the end of fiscal 1999:

             Aggregated Stock Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year
                       and Fiscal Year-End Option Values

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Number of Unexercised     Value of Unexercised
                           Shares                 Options at Fiscal Year-    In-the-Money Options
                          Acquired      Value             End (#)          at Fiscal Year-End ($)(2)
                         on Exercise Realized(1) ------------------------- -------------------------
Name                         (#)         ($)     Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ----                     ----------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
James C. Morgan.........   288,000   16,092,000    428,000      520,000    32,825,750   21,512,500
Dan Maydan..............   310,000   18,084,375          0      450,000             0   18,684,375
Joseph R. Bronson.......    75,000    4,502,063     26,000      264,000     1,885,000    9,072,250
Sasson Somekh...........   224,000   13,546,375    182,000      300,000    13,874,875   11,533,750
David N.K. Wang.........   224,000   13,384,625    182,000      300,000    13,874,875   11,533,750
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) The value realized equals the difference between the option exercise price
    and the fair market value of Applied's stock on the date of exercise,
    multiplied by the number of shares for which the option was exercised.
(2) The value of unexercised in-the-money options equals the difference
    between the option exercise price and the closing price of Applied's stock
    on October 29, 1999 (the last day of trading for the fiscal year ended
    October 31, 1999), multiplied by the number of shares underlying the
    options. The closing price of Applied's stock on October 29, 1999, as
    reported on the Nasdaq National Market, was $89.81 per share.

Compensation Committee Report

  In the section below, we describe our executive compensation policies and
practices. We also identify the procedures we use to determine the
compensation of Applied's Chief Executive Officer and the next four most
highly compensated executive officers.

  Compensation Philosophy. In developing Applied's executive compensation
policies, our Compensation Committee has relied on two principal objectives:
(1) attracting, rewarding and retaining officers who possess outstanding
talent, and (2) motivating our officers to achieve short-term and long-term
corporate goals that enhance stockholder value. Accordingly, our committee has
adopted the following overriding policies:

  .  pay compensation that is competitive with the practices of other leading
     high technology companies;

  .  set challenging performance goals for our officers and various business
     units and provide compensation based upon achievement of these goals;
     and

  .  align the interests of our officers with those of our stockholders by
     providing a significant portion of compensation in the form of stock
     options.

  Total Annual Compensation. We determine each officer's target total annual
compensation (salary and bonus) after reviewing similar compensation
information from approximately 20 companies in the high technology industry.
These companies compete with Applied for executive talent and/or have revenues
comparable to Applied's revenues. Applied's goal is to target base pay near
the median level and total cash compensation above the median level of the
surveyed companies if performance goals we specify are achieved.

  Senior Executive Bonus Plan. When setting bonuses for our named executive
officers, our committee developed and approved specific performance targets.
Fiscal 1999 bonuses for Mr. Morgan, Dr. Maydan, Mr. Bronson, Dr. Somekh, and
Dr. Wang were paid pursuant to our Senior Executive Bonus Plan. Bonuses are
paid under the bonus plan only if the performance goals that we set at the
beginning of the fiscal year are achieved. Accordingly, the actual bonuses
paid will vary depending on actual performance.

                                      13
<PAGE>

  We set performance goals that are linked to (1) annual revenue, (2)
controllable profits, (3) earnings per share, (4) net income, (5) new orders,
(6) pro forma net income, (7) asset management, (8) customer satisfaction, (9)
individual management by objective (MBO) goals, or (10) return on sales. For
fiscal 1999, our committee chose two equally weighted performance goals: (1)
growth in Applied's annual revenue and (2) achievement of certain levels of
return on sales, that is, Applied's net profit as a percentage of Applied's
annual sales.

  Bonuses. Additionally, our committee sets target bonuses for each officer
(other than named executive officers) based on his or her potential impact on
Applied's operating and financial results. Target bonuses for business unit
executives generally equal 65-85% of annual salary. Target bonuses for staff
executives generally equal 50-65% of annual salary. The actual bonus that is
paid to each officer depends on the achievement of business unit objectives
and financial performance goals. The business unit objectives we set include
both financial and operating goals including, for example, increasing
profitability, customer satisfaction and market share.

  Each year, we adjust the performance goals in light of general business
conditions and our corporate strategies for the year. For fiscal 1999, our
committee directed Applied management to set performance targets for each
officer using our compensation philosophy.

  Stock Options. Our committee strongly believes that stock options motivate
our officers to maximize stockholder value and to remain employed with Applied
despite a very competitive labor market. All Applied stock options have a per
share exercise price equal to the fair market value of Applied's stock on the
grant date.

  The number of options our committee grants to each officer and each option's
vesting schedule are determined based on a variety of factors, including (1)
the executive's position at Applied, (2) his or her individual performance,
(3) the number of options the executive already holds, and (4) other factors,
including an estimate of the potential value of the options and independent
stock compensation survey data. In fiscal 1999, our committee relied upon
these factors to approve stock option grants for the named executive officers
and other senior officers, and for any other individual grants of more than
25,000 shares (which our committee changed to 30,000 shares at its September
10, 1999 meeting). All other grants were approved by our Chief Executive
Officer, Mr. Morgan, after consulting with Human Resources, and using
guidelines approved by our committee.

  Compensation of Chief Executive Officer. During fiscal 1999, Mr. Morgan
received a salary of $778,542. In setting Mr. Morgan's target bonus under the
bonus plan, our committee relied on the strong belief that Mr. Morgan, as
Chief Executive Officer, significantly and directly influences Applied's
overall performance. Accordingly, we set Mr. Morgan's target bonus for fiscal
1999 at 85% of his annual salary. Mr. Morgan's actual bonus was adjusted
according to a formula our committee developed at the time we set the
performance goals. This formula takes into account (1) growth in Applied's
annual revenue and (2) achievement of certain levels of return on sales, that
is, Applied's net profit as a percentage of Applied's annual sales. In fiscal
1999, Applied's performance significantly exceeded the goals we set. Based on
this performance, Mr. Morgan received a bonus of $1,268,000, which equaled
approximately 163% of his fiscal 1999 salary.

  Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation. Under Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code, Applied generally receives a federal income tax
deduction for compensation paid to any of its named executive officers only if
the compensation is less than $1 million during any fiscal year or is
"performance-based" under Section 162(m). Both Applied's 1995 Equity Incentive
Plan and the Senior Executive Bonus Plan permit our committee to pay
compensation that is "performance-based" and thus fully tax-deductible by
Applied. Our committee currently intends to continue seeking a tax deduction
for all of Applied's executive compensation, to the extent we determine that
it is in the best interests of Applied.

This report is submitted by the Compensation Committee.

                                          Herbert M. Dwight, Jr.
                                          Paul R. Low
                                          Alfred J. Stein

                                      14
<PAGE>

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

  During fiscal 1999, none of Applied's executive officers served on the board
of directors of any entities whose directors or officers serve on Applied's
Compensation Committee. No current or past executive officers of Applied serve
on our Compensation Committee.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

  Loans to Management. Dan Maydan served as Chairman of Applied Komatsu
Technology, Inc. ("AKT"), a joint venture corporation 50% owned by Applied and
50% owned by Komatsu Ltd., a Japanese corporation, from December 1991 to
October 1998. Pursuant to the AKT Executive Incentive Stock Purchase Plan, and
consistent with the practices as to other AKT executives, in fiscal 1994,
Applied and Komatsu Ltd. each lent Dr. Maydan $185,000 to purchase shares of
non-voting convertible preferred stock of AKT. The terms of the loan between
Dr. Maydan and Applied called for interest at the rate of 7.16% to be paid on
an annual basis, with a balloon principal payment to be paid January 31, 2004.
The loan was secured by the shares purchased.

  During fiscal 1999, the AKT Executive Incentive Stock Purchase Plan was
terminated and Applied acquired a 100% interest in AKT. Accordingly, Dr.
Maydan, similar to other AKT executives, sold his 106 shares in AKT to Applied
and Komatsu Ltd. at the fair market value of $4,900 per share. The largest
principal amount of Dr. Maydan's loan outstanding from each of Applied and
Komatsu Ltd. during the fiscal year was $200,442. Applied and Komatsu Ltd.
each offset the outstanding loan amount of $200,442 against the share
aggregate value of $259,700, and each paid Dr. Maydan $59,258. At the close of
fiscal 1999, we did not have any outstanding loans to any of our directors or
executive officers.

                                      15
<PAGE>

                            STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

  The following graph shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total return
for Applied's stock, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index and the Hambrecht & Quist
Semiconductor Index (a published industry index), each of which assumes an
initial value of $100 and reinvestment of dividends. The Hambrecht & Quist
Index contains 40 companies in the semiconductor, semiconductor intellectual
property and semiconductor equipment industries.

                COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
                        AMONG APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.,
                   THE HAMBRECHT & QUIST SEMICONDUCTOR INDEX
                             AND THE S&P 500 INDEX
[GRAPH COMPARING FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN]

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          10/30/94 10/29/95 10/27/96 10/26/97 10/25/98 10/31/99
                          -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Applied Materials, Inc...   100      188      103      256      261      691
Hambrecht & Quist
 Semiconductor Index.....   100      173      143      226      186      491
Standard & Poor's 500
 Index...................   100      125      154      210      242      312
</TABLE>

             ITEM 2--AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

  This section provides a summary of the proposal to approve the amendment to
our Certificate of Incorporation.

  In December 1999, our Board of Directors approved a proposal to amend
Applied's Certificate of Incorporation in order to increase the number of
shares of common stock that Applied is authorized to issue from 1,100,000,000
shares to 2,500,000,000 shares.

  The affirmative vote of a majority of shares outstanding is required to
approve the proposed amendment. The amendment will not affect the authorized
number of shares of preferred stock (par value $.01 per share). The authorized
number of shares of preferred stock is 1,000,000.

  The 100% stock dividend approved on February 15, 2000 does not increase or
otherwise affect the current authorization of 1,100,000,000 shares.

                                      16
<PAGE>

  Purposes and Effects of Increasing the Number of Authorized Shares of Common
Stock. The increase in authorized shares is necessary to enable Applied to
reserve a sufficient number to meet all known requirements and to provide
flexibility in the future for general corporate purposes such as stock
dividends or splits, acquisitions, and issuances under stock option and other
employee incentive programs. At present, Applied has no plans, agreements or
understandings concerning the issuance or use of additional shares of common
stock, other than (a) pursuant to our various employee benefit plans (for
example, previously granted stock options) and (b) an agreement signed on
January 12, 2000 to acquire Etec Systems, Inc. in connection with which
transaction, if completed, Applied expects to issue approximately 14,000,000
shares of its common stock.

  The proposed amendment would increase the number of shares of common stock
which Applied is authorized to issue from 1,100,000,000 to 2,500,000,000. The
additional 1,400,000,000 shares would be a part of the existing class of
common stock and, if and when issued, would have the same rights and
privileges as the shares of common stock currently issued and outstanding. The
holders of common stock of Applied are not entitled to preemptive rights,
which means that current stockholders do not have a prior right to purchase
any new issue of common stock in order to maintain their proportionate
ownership interest. The holders of common stock of Applied are not entitled to
cumulative voting.

  As of January 28, 2000, Applied had 386,486,616 shares of common stock
issued and outstanding, and 713,513,384 shares of common stock authorized but
unissued, of which 224,516 shares were held in the treasury of Applied and
approximately 61,095,932 shares were reserved for issuance under Applied's
various employee benefit plans. Applied expects to issue approximately
387,000,000 shares of its common stock in connection with the recently
announced stock dividend. After the distribution of the dividend shares, and
the proposed Etec acquisition (if completed), under our current authorization
of 1,100,000,000 shares, approximately 251,000,000 authorized shares would
remain available to Applied for important purposes, such as additional stock
dividends or stock splits, public offerings, acquisitions or other corporate
purposes.

  Any future issuance of additional authorized shares of common stock may,
among other effects, have a dilution effect on earnings per share of common
stock and on the equity and voting rights of stockholders at the time the
additional authorized shares are issued.

  The Board unanimously recommends a vote to approve the amendment to the
Certificate of Incorporation.

            ITEM 3--AMENDED AND RESTATED 1995 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

  This section provides a summary of the terms of the 1995 Equity Incentive
Plan and the proposal to approve the amended and restated plan.

  We are asking our stockholders to approve the amended and restated 1995
Equity Incentive Plan so that we can continue to use the plan to achieve
Applied's goals and also continue to receive a federal income tax deduction
for compensation paid under the plan. Our Board of Directors approved the
amended and restated plan subject to approval from our stockholders at the
meeting. Approval of the amended and restated plan requires the affirmative
vote of a majority of shares that are present in person or by proxy at the
meeting. If stockholders approve the amended and restated plan, it will
replace the current version of the plan. Our named executive officers,
directors, and director nominee have an interest in this proposal.

  The 1995 Equity Incentive Plan is unchanged (except in insignificant ways)
since our stockholders last approved the plan at the 1998 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders. The only change that we are proposing is to make an additional
19,100,000 of our shares (before the recently announced stock dividend)
available to be issued under the plan.

  We believe strongly that approval of the amended and restated plan is
essential to our continued success. Our employees are our most valuable asset.
Stock options are vital to our ability to attract and retain outstanding

                                      17
<PAGE>

and highly skilled individuals in the extremely competitive labor markets in
which we must compete. Options also are crucial to our ability to motivate
employees to achieve the Company's goals.

  Purpose. The 1995 Equity Incentive Plan is intended to promote the long-term
success of Applied and increase stockholder value by attracting, motivating
and retaining excellent employees, non-employee directors, and consultants who
provide significant services to us. The plan also is intended to align the
interests of plan participants with the interests of our stockholders by
encouraging participants to own more of our stock.

  Eligibility. The Compensation Committee selects the employees and
consultants who will be granted awards under the 1995 Equity Incentive Plan.
The actual number of individuals who will receive an award cannot be
determined in advance because the committee has discretion to select the
participants. Our non-employee directors are not eligible to receive
discretionary grants under the plan. Instead, they are automatically granted a
predetermined number of non-qualified stock options each year that they serve
on our Board.

  Types of Awards. The Compensation Committee is allowed to grant five types
of awards under the 1995 Equity Incentive Plan: (1) stock options, (2) stock
appreciation rights, (3) restricted stock awards, (4) performance share
awards, and (5) performance unit awards. To date, the committee has granted
only stock options under the plan. The committee currently intends to continue
granting only stock options. However, we believe that we need to preserve our
flexibility to grant other types of equity compensation awards in order to
compete successfully for talented employees.

  Stock options. A stock option is the right to acquire shares of our common
stock at a fixed exercise price for a fixed period of time (usually seven
years). Under the 1995 Equity Incentive Plan, the Compensation Committee may
grant nonqualified stock options and/or incentive stock options (which entitle
employees, but not Applied, to more favorable tax treatment). To date, the
committee has granted only nonqualified stock options and currently expects to
continue this policy.

  The exercise price of each stock option is set by the Compensation Committee
but cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value (on the date of grant)
of the stock covered by the option. An exception is made for options that
Applied grants in substitution for options held by employees of companies that
Applied acquires (in which case the exercise price preserves the economic
value of the employee's cancelled stock option from his or her former
employer).

  An option cannot be exercised until it becomes vested. The Compensation
Committee establishes the vesting schedule at the time the option is granted.
Vesting generally requires continued employment by the participant for a
period of years. Stock options expire after a maximum of 10 years (potentially
13 years if the participant dies). The committee's current practice is to
grant options that expire no later than seven years after grant.

  The exercise price of each option must be paid in full at the time of
exercise. Payment may be made in cash or if the Compensation Committee
permits, in shares of Applied's common stock that are already owned by the
participant, or by any other means that provides legal consideration for the
shares and is consistent with the plan's purpose.

  Stock appreciation rights. Stock appreciation rights ("SARs") are awards
that give the participant the right to receive an amount equal to (1) the
number of shares exercised, multiplied by (2) the amount by which Applied's
stock price exceeds the exercise price. The exercise price cannot be less than
100% of the stock's fair market value on the date of grant. An SAR may be
exercised only if it becomes vested based on the vesting schedule established
by the Compensation Committee. SARs expire under the same rules that apply to
options. No SARs have been granted under the plan and the committee currently
expects that it will not grant SARs in the future.

  Restricted stock awards. Restricted stock awards are shares that vest based
on a schedule established by the Compensation Committee. However, shares of
restricted stock will not vest until at least three years after the date of
grant absent unusual circumstances specified in the plan. The committee has
not granted any restricted stock and currently does not expect to grant any in
the future.

                                      18
<PAGE>

  Performance share and performance unit awards. Performance shares and
performance units will result in a payment to the participant in cash or
shares if the performance goals established by the Compensation Committee are
achieved or the awards otherwise vest. No performance shares or performance
units have been granted under the plan, and the committee currently expects
not to grant any in the future.

  Non-Employee Director Stock Options. Under the 1995 Equity Incentive Plan,
our non-employee directors receive annual, automatic, non-discretionary grants
of stock options. Non-employee directors are not eligible for any other awards
under the plan.

  Each new non-employee director receives a stock option for 24,000 shares on
the date he or she first becomes a director. Thereafter, each non-employee
director also automatically receives an option for 10,000 shares on the last
business day of each full fiscal year that he or she remains on our Board.

  All non-employee director options become vested (that is, exercisable) in
four annual installments beginning one year after grant, assuming the director
remains a member of the Board for the entire four-year period. If the director
leaves the Board before the end of the four-year vesting period for a reason
other than death or a qualifying retirement, the unvested shares will be
forfeited, except as follows. For options granted after September 10, 1999, if
the director dies, the option will become fully vested, and if the director
retires, some or all of the shares will become fully vested, depending upon
the director's length of service to Applied.

  Options granted to non-employee directors generally expire no later than
five years after grant. However, an option may terminate even sooner if a
director leaves the Board before the option's normal expiration date. If the
director leaves for a reason other than death, total disability or retirement,
he or she has seven months following the date of termination to exercise, and
if the director leaves due to retirement or total disability, he or she has
one year to exercise. However, the option may not be exercised later than the
original expiration date. In the event of death, an option may be exercised
for up to one year from the date of death, without regard to the original
expiration date of the option.

  Administration, Amendment and Termination. The Compensation Committee
administers the 1995 Equity Incentive Plan. Members of the committee must
qualify as non-employee directors under Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, and as outside directors under Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code (so that Applied can receive a federal tax deduction for certain
compensation paid under the plan).

  Subject to the terms of the plan, the committee has sole discretion to:

  .  select the employees and consultants who will receive awards;

  .  determine the terms and conditions of awards (for example, the exercise
     price and vesting schedule); and

  .  interpret the provisions of the plan.

  The Compensation Committee has delegated authority to Applied's Chairman to
grant options to non-officer employees (but not more than 30,000 options in
any year to any one person).

  The Board may amend or terminate the plan at any time and for any reason.
However, future amendments will be submitted for stockholder approval if
necessary or appropriate to continue the plan's compliance with Section 162(m)
of the Internal Revenue Code.

  A total of 55,200,000 shares were previously reserved for issuance under the
plan. As of January 28, 2000, 44,923,000 shares were subject to options
currently outstanding under the plan and 608,396 shares remain available for
new options or other awards.

  If an award expires or is cancelled without having been fully exercised or
vested, the unvested or cancelled shares generally will be returned to the
available pool of shares. Also, if Applied experiences a stock dividend,
reorganization or other change in its capital structure, the Compensation
Committee has discretion to adjust the number of shares available under the
plan, the formula for granting non-employee director options, the

                                      19
<PAGE>

outstanding options and other awards, and the per person limits on grants, as
appropriate to reflect the stock dividend or other change. For example,
Applied recently announced a 100% stock dividend. Therefore, the Compensation
Committee may double the number of shares available under the plan after the
stock dividend (including the proposed additional 19,100,000 shares) in order
to reflect the effect of the stock dividend.

  Limited Transferability of Awards. Awards granted under the 1995 Equity
Incentive Plan may not be sold, transferred, pledged, or assigned other than
by will or under applicable laws of descent and distribution. Applied may
permit limited transfers for the benefit of immediate family members to help
with estate planning concerns.

  Options Granted to Certain Individuals and Groups. The number of options or
other awards (if any) that an individual may receive under the 1995 Equity
Incentive Plan is in the discretion of the Compensation Committee and
therefore cannot be determined in advance. The following table sets forth the
total number of shares of Applied's common stock subject to options granted
under the plan to the listed persons and groups during fiscal 1999 and the
average per share exercise price of the options.

     Options Granted to Certain Individuals and Groups in Last Fiscal Year

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  Number of    Average Per Share
         Name of Individual or Group           Options Granted Exercise Price(1)
         ---------------------------           --------------- -----------------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>
James C. Morgan..............................       280,000         $71.57
Dan Maydan...................................       240,000         $71.77
Joseph R. Bronson............................       180,000         $71.31
Sasson Somekh................................       180,000         $71.31
David N.K. Wang..............................       180,000         $71.31
All executive officers, as a group...........     1,060,000         $71.48
All directors who are not executive officers,
 as a group(2)...............................        42,000         $89.81
All employees who are not executive officers,
 as a group..................................    11,868,898         $66.95
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) All options were granted with a per share exercise price equal to 100% of
    the fair market value on the date of grant. On January 28, 2000, shares of
    Applied's common stock closed at $129.75 on the Nasdaq National Market.
(2) Pursuant to the 1995 Equity Incentive Plan's automatic, non-discretionary
    formula, each non-employee director received an option for 6,000 shares on
    October 29, 1999. An initial option grant of 24,000 shares of common stock
    was made to Mr. Miller on December 7, 1999, in conjunction with his
    appointment to the Board.

Federal Tax Aspects

  The following is a summary of the general federal income tax consequences to
U.S. taxpayers and Applied of awards granted under the 1995 Equity Incentive
Plan. Tax consequences for any particular individual may be different.

  Non-Qualified Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. No taxable income
is reportable when a non-qualified stock option or a stock appreciation right
is granted. Upon exercise, the recipient will have ordinary income equal to
the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date minus the exercise
price. Any additional gain or loss upon the disposition of the stock will be
capital gain or loss.

  Incentive Stock Options. No taxable income is reportable when an incentive
stock option is granted or exercised (except for purposes of the alternative
minimum tax, in which case taxation is the same as for non-qualified stock
options). If the recipient exercises the option and then sells the shares more
than two years after the grant date and more than one year after the exercise
date, the difference between the sale price and the exercise price will be
taxed as capital gain or loss. If the recipient exercises the option and sells
the shares before the end of the two- or one-year holding periods, he or she
generally will have ordinary income at the time of the sale equal to the fair
market value of the shares on the exercise date (or the sale price, if less)
minus the exercise price of the option.

                                      20
<PAGE>

  Restricted Stock, Performance Units and Performance Shares. A recipient of
restricted stock, performance units or performance shares will not have
taxable income upon grant unless he or she elects to be taxed at that time.
Instead, he or she will have ordinary income at the time of vesting equal to
the fair market value on the vesting date of the shares (or cash) received
minus any amount paid for the shares.

  Tax Effect for Applied. Applied generally will receive a tax deduction for
any ordinary income recognized by a participant from an award under the 1995
Equity Incentive Plan (for example, the exercise of a non-qualified stock
option). Special rules limit the deductibility of compensation paid to our
Chief Executive Officer and to each of our four most highly compensated
executive officers. Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, the
annual compensation paid to each of these executives may not be deductible to
the extent that it exceeds $1 million. However, we are able to preserve the
deductibility of compensation over $1 million if the conditions of Section
162(m) are met. These conditions include stockholder approval of the plan,
setting limits on the number of awards that any individual may receive and for
awards other than options, establishing performance criteria that must be met
before the award actually will vest or be paid. The plan has been designed to
permit the Compensation Committee to grant awards that qualify as performance-
based for purposes of satisfying the conditions of Section 162(m). For
example, the plan limits of the number of shares that may be granted to any
one participant in any one year as follows:

  .  350,000 shares under options;

  .  350,000 shares under stock appreciation rights;

  .  175,000 restricted shares; and

  .  175,000 performance share awards or performance units with an initial
     value not greater than $3 million.

  In addition, in setting the vesting schedule of an award, the Compensation
Committee may provide that the award will vest only upon the achievement of
objectives for one or more of:

  .  annual revenue,

  .  controllable profits,

  .  earnings per share,

  .  net income,

  .  new orders,

  .  pro forma net income,

  .  asset management,

  .  customer satisfaction,

  .  individual management by objective (MBO) goals, or

  .  return on sales.

  Each of these performance measures is defined in the plan. These are the
same performance measures that the Compensation Committee may use under our
Senior Executive Bonus Plan, which is discussed in more detail beginning on
page 22.

  Summary. We believe strongly that approval of the amended and restated plan
is essential to our continued success. Stock option grants constitute an
important incentive for key employees of Applied and help us to attract,
retain and motivate people whose skills and performance are critical to our
success. Our employees are our most valuable asset. We strongly believe that
an increase in the number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan is
essential for us to compete for talent in the very difficult labor market in
which we operate.

  The Board unanimously recommends a vote to approve the amended and restated
1995 Equity Incentive Plan.

                                      21
<PAGE>

           ITEM 4--AMENDED AND RESTATED SENIOR EXECUTIVE BONUS PLAN

  This section provides a summary of the terms of the Senior Executive Bonus
Plan and the proposal to approve the amended and restated plan.

  We are asking stockholders to approve the amended and restated Senior
Executive Bonus Plan so that Applied can continue to receive a federal income
tax deduction for compensation paid under the plan. The Senior Executive Bonus
Plan is unchanged (except in insignificant ways) since our stockholders last
approved the plan at the 1995 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Our Board of
Directors approved the plan subject to approval from our stockholders at the
meeting. Approval of the plan requires the vote of the majority of the Applied
shares that are present in person or by proxy at the meeting. Our named
executive officers have an interest in this proposal.

  Purpose. The purpose of the Senior Executive Bonus Plan is to motivate key
executives to achieve Applied's strategic and financial goals and to perform
to the best of their abilities. The plan accomplishes this by paying awards
only after achievement of the specified goals.

  The plan also is designed to qualify as "performance-based" compensation
under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under Section 162(m),
Applied may not receive a federal income tax deduction for compensation paid
to Applied's Chief Executive Officer or any of the four other most highly
compensated executive officers to the extent that any of these persons
receives more than $1 million in any one year. However, if Applied pays
compensation that is "performance-based" under Section 162(m), Applied still
can receive a federal income tax deduction for the compensation even if it is
more than $1 million during a single year. The plan allows Applied to pay
incentive compensation that is performance-based and therefore fully tax-
deductible on Applied's federal income tax return.

  Eligibility. The Compensation Committee selects the officers of Applied (and
of our affiliates) who will be eligible to receive awards under the Senior
Executive Bonus Plan. The actual number of officers who will be eligible to
receive an award during any particular year cannot be determined in advance
because the committee has discretion to select the participants. We currently
expect that approximately five to eight officers will participate in the plan
each year.

  Target Awards and Performance Goals. Each fiscal year, the Compensation
Committee assigns each participant a target award and performance goal or
goals that must be achieved before an award actually will be paid to the
participant. The participant's target award is expressed as a percentage of
his or her base salary at the end of the fiscal year. The performance goals
require the achievement of objectives for one or more of:

  .  annual revenue,

  .  controllable profits,

  .  earnings per share,

  .  net income,

  .  new orders,

  .  pro forma net income,

  .  asset management,

  .  customer satisfaction,

  .  individual management by objective (MBO) goals, or

  .  return on sales.

  Awards for our 2000 fiscal year are based on two equally weighted
performance goals: (1) growth in Applied's annual revenue, and (2) achievement
of certain levels of return on sales (that is, net profit as a percentage of
annual sales).

                                      22
<PAGE>

  Actual Awards. After the fiscal year ends, the Compensation Committee
certifies in writing the extent to which the pre-established performance goals
actually were achieved or exceeded. The actual award that is payable to a
participant is determined using a formula that increases or decreases the
participant's target award based on the level of actual performance attained.
However, the Senior Executive Bonus Plan limits actual awards to a maximum of
$3 million per person in any fiscal year, even if the formula otherwise
indicates a larger award. In addition, the Compensation Committee has
discretion to reduce (but not increase) the award determined by the formula.

  If a participant terminates employment before the end of the fiscal year in
which the bonus is to be earned, the participant will not receive an award for
that year (even if the performance goals actually are achieved). The only
exception is that if termination of employment is due to retirement,
disability or death, the Compensation Committee has discretion to pay out part
or all of the award.

  Actual awards generally are paid in cash within two and one-half months
after the fiscal year ends. However, the Compensation Committee instead may
convert the cash payment into an equivalent amount of Applied shares that will
be paid to the participant only if he or she remains employed for an
additional period of time up to four years.

  Administration, Amendment and Termination. The Compensation Committee
administers the Senior Executive Bonus Plan. Members of the committee must
qualify as outside directors under Section 162(m). Subject to the terms of the
plan, the committee has sole discretion to:

  .  select the officers who will receive awards;

  .  determine the target award for each participant;

  .  determine the performance goals that must be achieved before any actual
     awards are paid;

  .  determine a formula to increase or decrease an award to reflect actual
     performance versus the predetermined performance goals; and

  .  interpret the provisions of the plan.

  The Board may amend or terminate the plan at any time and for any reason. An
amendment also will be submitted for stockholder approval if necessary to
maintain the plan's compliance with Section 162(m).

  Awards Granted to Certain Officers. Awards under the Senior Executive Bonus
Plan are determined based on actual performance, so future actual awards (if
any) cannot now be determined. The following table sets forth the target
awards that would be payable to the persons and groups shown below if the
performance goals established by the Compensation Committee for our 2000
fiscal year are exactly 100% achieved. There is no assurance that the pre-
established performance goals will be achieved and therefore there is no
assurance that the target awards shown below (or any awards at all) will
actually be paid.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Fiscal
                                                                      2000
                                                                     Target
                      Name of Individual or Group                   Awards($)
                      ---------------------------                   ---------
     <S>                                                            <C>
     James C. Morgan...............................................   890,000
     Dan Maydan....................................................   750,000
     Joseph R. Bronson.............................................   500,000
     Sasson Somekh.................................................   500,000
     David N.K. Wang...............................................   500,000
     All executive officers, as a group............................ 3,140,000
     All directors who are not executive officers, as a group......         0(1)
     All employees who are not executive officers, as a group......         0(1)
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Applied's non-employee directors and employees who are not officers are
    not eligible to participate in the Senior Executive Bonus Plan.

  The Board unanimously recommends a vote to approve the amended and restated
Senior Executive Bonus Plan.

                                      23
<PAGE>

                               OTHER INFORMATION

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

  Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires Applied's
directors and executive officers, and holders of more than 10% of Applied's
common stock, to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial
reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of common stock and
other equity securities of Applied. Such officers, directors and 10%
stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish Applied with copies of
all Section 16(a) forms they file.

  SEC regulations require us to identify anyone who filed a required report
late during the most recent fiscal year. Based on our review of forms we
received, or written representations from reporting persons stating that they
were not required to file these forms, we believe that, during the fiscal
year, all Section 16(a) filing requirements were satisfied on a timely basis.

Relationship with Independent Public Accountants

  The firm of independent accountants recommended by the Audit and Finance
Committee and selected by the Board of Directors for fiscal 2000 is
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The Board of Directors expects that
representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be present at the meeting,
will be given an opportunity to make a statement at such meeting if they
desire to do so, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

No Incorporation by Reference

  In Applied's filings with the SEC, information is sometimes "incorporated by
reference." This means that we are referring you to information that has
previously been filed with the SEC, so the information should be considered as
part of the filing you are reading. Based on SEC regulations, the performance
graph on page 16 of this proxy statement and the "Compensation Committee
Report" on page 13 specifically are not incorporated by reference into any
other filings with the SEC.

  This proxy statement is sent to you as part of the proxy materials for the
2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. You may not consider this proxy statement
as material for soliciting the purchase or sale of Applied's stock.

Stockholder Proposals--2001 Annual Meeting

  Stockholders are entitled to present proposals for action at a forthcoming
meeting if they comply with the requirements of the proxy rules and Applied's
Bylaws. If you would like us to consider including a proposal in our proxy
statement next year, you must deliver it to our offices on or before October
20, 2000. If you intend to submit a proposal at the 2001 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders but do not intend to include the proposal in our proxy statement
for this meeting, you must provide appropriate notice to us on or before
January 4, 2001. Our Bylaws contain specific requirements regarding a
stockholder's ability to nominate a director or to submit a proposal for
consideration at an upcoming meeting. If you would like a copy of the
requirements contained in our Bylaws, please contact: Donald A. Slichter,
Corporate Secretary, Applied Materials, Inc., 2881 Scott Boulevard, M/S 2068,
Santa Clara, California 95050.

                                          Donald A. Slichter
                                          Secretary

Santa Clara, California
February 18, 2000

                                      24
<PAGE>

         --                                                        --



  PROXY                                                      PROXY
                            APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.

          PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS ON MARCH 21, 2000.
             PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 The undersigned hereby appoints James C. Morgan and Donald A. Slichter, or
either of them, each with full power of substitution, as proxies of the
undersigned, to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Applied Materials,
Inc. to be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2000, at 2:00 p.m., and any adjournment
or postponement thereof, and to vote the number of shares the undersigned would
be entitled to vote if personally present on the items set forth on the reverse
side and upon such other business as may properly come before such meeting and
any adjournment or postponement thereof:


                 (Continued and to be signed on reverse side.)

    STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN THIS PROXY IN THE
  ENVELOPE PROVIDED, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           - FOLD AND DETACH HERE -

<PAGE>

         --                                                        --


                         APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
     PLEASE MARK VOTE IN OVAL IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER USING DARK INK ONLY.  0





 THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR EACH OF THE LISTED PROPOSALS.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                                                <C>    <C>         <C>
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS                                                                                              For All
   M. Armacost, D. Coleman, H. Dwight, P. Gerdine, T. Kawanishi, P. Low,                           For    Withheld    Except
   D. Maydan, S. Miller, J. Morgan, S. Shih                                                         O        O          O
   INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual Nominee, write
   that Nominee's name in the space provided below.
   ____________________________________________________________________________
   ____________________________________________________________________________

2. TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE                     For    Against    Abstain
   NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE FROM 1,100,000,000                      O        O          O
   TO 2,500,000,000

3. TO APPROVE THE AMENDED AND RESTATED 1995 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN.                                 For    Against    Abstain
                                                                                                    O        O          O

4. TO APPROVE THE AMENDED AND RESTATED SENIOR EXECUTIVE BONUS PLAN                                 For    Against    Abstain
                                                                                                    O        O          O
</TABLE>

This proxy will be voted as specified, or if no choice is specified, will be
voted for the ten nominees for election and for Proposals 2, 3, and 4. (Please
sign exactly as your name appears. When shares are held by joint tenants, both
should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in
full corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partner-
ship, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.)
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Signature(s)                                                          Date


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           - FOLD AND DETACH HERE -



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