Nov 13 (Reuters) - Applied Materials ( AMAT ),

U.S.-based maker of semiconductor manufacturing equipment,

forecast upbeat first-quarter revenue on Thursday, signaling

that robust demand for tools used to make AI chips is set to

overpower a broader industry slowdown.

The company forecast current-quarter revenue of $6.85

billion, plus or minus $500 million. Analysts on average expect

revenue of $6.76 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG.