This Artificial Intelligence Stock Raised Its Dividend on "Black Thursday"

As many now know, last Thursday was an historic day in the stock market. On March 13, 2020, the S&P 500 plunged 9.5% in a single day, the worst daily drop since "Black Monday" in 1987. The plunge came the day after President Trump delivered an underwhelming speech that included a European travel ban. However, stocks rallied on Friday after news of more government stimulus, emergency measures to boost testing, and the purchasing of oil for the country's strategic reserve. Negotiations for a comprehensive support package for the economy are also ongoing.

However, one tech company was tuning out the noise. Semiconductor equipment maker Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT) decided to announce an increase in its dividend on the exact same day the market went into freefall. Is that a sign of confidence, or foolishness?

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Source Fool.com