I consider these three stocks that are trading under $20 to see if they offer investors bargains in today’s uncertain markets. Most of these companies enjoy name recognition and boast solid historic performance before the onset of “The Lost Decade,” but can they resume the paths they were on prior to start of the 21st Century?

Applied Materials Inc. (AMAT) – This company provides manufacturing equipment to makers of semiconductors, flat panel displays and solar panels. It is currently trading near $12 a share. It has ranged from $9.70 to $16.93 over the past 52 weeks. Its dividend yield is 2.8%. Earnings per share is $1.45, and price to earnings ratio is 8.04. Market capitalization is $15.36 billion. Quarterly revenue growth is 10.70%, and quarterly earnings growth is 287%.

Its competitor ASML Holding N.V. (ASML) is currently trading near $40.27, which is toward the higher end of its 52-week range of $30.65 to $45.92. Its dividend yield is 1.3% or $0.50. Earnings per share at $5.03 is higher than Applied Materials, and price to earnings ratio at 8.01 is comparable. Market capitalization is slightly larger at $16.99 billion. Quarterly revenue growth of 24% is higher, but quarterly earnings growth of 32.3% slower.

While other sectors suffered from the economic downturn, the tech sector held on for the past several years. The semiconductor industry specifically saw fairly strong growth numbers in 2010, though the previous year had been among the worst in history. So far this year, growth rates have moderated, but experts expect the memory sector to lead the industry. To continue reading, click here