Applied Materials (AMAT) is set to report fiscal third-quarter earnings after the bell on Aug. 15, with investors likely watching for updates on the company's China sales and the impact of customer Intel's (INTC) plans to cut costs.

Analysts expect revenue to grow to $6.69 billion, up from $6.43 billion a year ago, according to estimates compiled by Visible Alpha. Net income is projected to come in at $1.67 billion or $2 per share, also representing growth from the year-ago period, but a sequential decline.

Key Metrics: China Sales

Applied Materials will report how much of its sales came from the China market, which could provide investors greater insight into how geopolitical tensions and 澳洲幸运5🍃开奖号码历史查询:potentially tighter cur🙈bs on exports to China could affect the company.

Analysts anticipate revenue for the China region will be $2.36 billion, or 35.3% of the company's expected total revenue. UBS analysts said China sales as a share of total revenue could fall to normalize at 30% by the end of the calendar year, down from 43% in the fiscal second quarter.

The analysts said they don't see demand falling off in the second half of the year and they expect guidance to show an upside as Chinese companies procure equipment in the near term ahead of a potentially tighter curbs on exports to the country. Consensus estimates project fourth-quarter revenue guidance to come in at $6.91 billion.

Citi analysts said that they expect Applied Materials stock to "remain volatile through the US elections," given uncertainty around possibly tougher restrictions.

Busไiness Spotlight: Cost Cuts by Intel, an Applied Materials Customer

Applied Materials could als♌o provide investors with more details about how planned cost cuts by Intel, one of its customers, might affect the company.

Citi analysts lowered their estimates for Applied Materials, citing Intel's lowered 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:capital expenses (CapEx) outlook among other reasons, after Intel recently reported 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:wider-than-expected losses and announced layoffs to trim spending.

Applied Materials have gained about 18% since the start 🧔of the ye🅺ar, at $191.67 as of 2:20 p.m. ET Friday.