Applied Materials, Inc. reported strong revenue, operating income and earnings per share in its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended Oct. 28, 2018.   Compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, Applied net sales increased slightly to $4.01 billion. On a GAAP basis, the company recorded a gross margin of 44.3%, operating income of $1.02 billion or 25.3% of net sales, and earnings per share (EPS) of $0.89. The company returned $946 million to shareholders through $751 million in share repurchas...