Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT) stepped into and out of the earnings confessional after last night's close, where the semiconductor giant reported better-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter results and a sunny outlook for adjusted earnings per share. The chip stock was last seen 7.9% lower at $171.29, however, after the firm forecasted disappointing fiscal first-quarter revenue guidance, now expecting $7.15 billion -- down from the $7.224 billion that analysts anticipated. The upbeat results were driv ...