LRCXSemiconductor equipment
Lam Research
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By Kevin Amado
Updated
- Price
- $253.82
- Analysts view
- Analysts Bullish
- Discount category
- Below intrinsic value
- Top pick
- Top pick
- Next earnings
- Earnings Jan 21 · · estimated
- Market cap
- $317B
- Shares of Oct 20, 2026
- P/E (trailing)
- 37.8
- Price of Oct 29, 2026
- EPS (trailing)
- $6.71
- 12 months to Sep 27, 2026
- 52-week range
- $135.50 – $438.50
- To Oct 29, 2026
- Beta
- 1.85
- Vs S&P 500, 5 years monthly, to Sep 30, 2026
- Average volume
- 9.1M
- 3 months, to Oct 29, 2026
In short
- Thesis
- The market prices Lam Research for a peak in chip equipment spending and a rising share of sales to China, and growth in memory and logic in 2027 can close the gap.
- Gap
- Can close. The Q2 fiscal 2027 report, expected in late January 2027, shows whether revenue holds near guidance while the share of sales to China falls.
Company guidance: Revenue of $8.60 billion +/- $400 million and diluted EPS of $2.33 +/- $0.15 for the December 2026 quarter (, September 2026 quarter earnings release (8-K Ex. 99.1))
About
Lam Research makes the equipment that chipmakers use to deposit and etch thin layers of material on wafers, and to clean wafers between steps. Its etch and deposition tools are used most in memory chips and in leading-edge logic chips. It also sells services, spare parts and upgrades for its installed base, and older equipment through its Reliant product line.
In the quarter that ended on September 27, 2026, systems revenue was $5.73 billion and customer support-related revenue was $2.49 billion. Revenue for fiscal 2026, which ended on June 28, 2026, was $23.23 billion, up 26%. Its fiscal year ends on the last Sunday of June.
Thesis
The market prices Lam Research as a cyclical supplier at a high point of chip equipment spending, with a large exposure to China. Revenue rose 22% from the June quarter to a record $8.22 billion in the September 2026 quarter, and the operating margin reached 40.0%. But China gave 35% of revenue in that quarter, up from 26% in the June quarter. Lam said that investment in mature chip technology in China raised its foundry revenue in the quarter.
U.S. export rules can cut these sales, and this spending in China can stop quickly. For the gap to close, three things must be true. Sales for memory and leading-edge logic must keep growing when sales to China fall. Gross margin must stay near the guided 52.5%.
Revenue must stay near the $8.60 billion guidance for the December 2026 quarter and keep growing in 2027. The Q2 fiscal 2027 report, expected in late January 2027, is the next test. If these checks pass, the gap can close over the next four to six quarters. The main reason it may not close is a fall in spending by Chinese chipmakers or by memory makers, which can lower revenue and margins at the same time.
Checkpoints
- Nov 2026PendingU.S. export rule for affiliates of listed partiesAn extension of the suspension or no new loss of China sales passes; a return of the rule that cuts sales to more Chinese customers fails.
- Jan 21, 2027 · est.PendingQ2 fiscal 2027 results: China share and marginRevenue near the $8.60 billion guidance, gross margin near 52.5% and a lower China share without lower total revenue pass; revenue below the range or a sharp fall in China sales fail.
Recent events
- October 21, 2026Lam Research reported results for the September 2026 quarter. Revenue was a record $8.22 billion, up 22% from the June quarter. GAAP EPS was $2.19 and non-GAAP EPS was $2.20, and the GAAP operating margin was 40.0%. China gave 35% of revenue. In the quarter, Lam started accelerated share repurchases of $1.00 billion. For the December 2026 quarter, it guided revenue of $8.60 billion, plus or minus $400 million, and EPS of $2.33, plus or minus $0.15.
- August 24, 2026Two directors, Sohail Ahmed and Michael Cannon, told Lam that they will retire from the board on November 2, 2026. The board will go from 12 to 10 directors.
- July 29, 2026Lam Research reported results for the June 2026 quarter. Revenue was a record $6.72 billion, and GAAP EPS was $1.81. Revenue for fiscal 2026 was $23.23 billion, up 26%.
Show 3 older eventsHide older events
- April 22, 2026Lam Research reported results for the March 2026 quarter. Revenue was $5.84 billion, and GAAP EPS was $1.45.
- February 3, 2026Lam Research named Sesha Varadarajan Chief Operating Officer from March 6, 2026. He follows Pat Lord, who will retire. Karthik Rammohan took a larger role over global operations.
- January 28, 2026Lam Research reported results for the December 2025 quarter. Revenue was $5.34 billion, and GAAP EPS was $1.26.
Latest news and filings
- Last earnings
- October 21, 2026 (8-K on sec.gov)
- Next earnings
- Expected about January 21, 2027. The company has not confirmed the date.
- 10-QQuarterly report for the period ended Sep 27, 2026Filed · lrcx-20260927
- 8-KEarnings releaseFiled · lrcx-20261021
- 8-KChange of directors or officersFiled · lrcx-20260824
- 10-KAnnual report for the period ended Jun 28, 2026Filed · lrcx-20260628
- 8-KEarnings releaseFiled · lrcx-20260729
- 10-QQuarterly report for the period ended Mar 29, 2026Filed · lrcx-20260329
- 8-KEarnings releaseFiled · lrcx-20260422
- 8-KChange of directors or officersFiled · lrcx-20260130
- 10-QQuarterly report for the period ended Dec 28, 2025Filed · lrcx-20251228
- 8-KEarnings releaseFiled · lrcx-20260128
Risks
- China gave 35% of revenue in the September 2026 quarter and 34% in fiscal 2026. U.S. export rules limit sales to many Chinese customers, and the government can add more limits. Spending in China on mature chip technology can stop quickly.
- Chip equipment spending is cyclical, and memory makers are large customers. If memory prices or AI spending fall, customers can cut orders quickly, and revenue and margins can fall together.
- Few customers buy most of Lam's equipment. In fiscal 2026, four customers gave about 16%, 15%, 12% and 12% of revenue. A delay by one of them can lower revenue for several quarters.
- China controls the export of rare earth elements that some Lam products use. These controls are suspended in part only until November 2026, unless they are extended.
Balance sheet
- Cash
- $7.4B
- Debt
- $3.8B
- Net cash
- $3.7B
- Interest cover
- 89×
- times profit pays interest
- Credit line
- $2.0B
- undrawn, to January 2030
Cash against debt
debt covered by cash
When the debt is due
The last debt is due in 2060.
Lam Research funds itself with senior unsecured notes. Principal was $3.75 billion at September 27, 2026, due from March 2029 to June 2060, after Lam repaid $750 million of 3.75% notes due March 2026. Cash and cash equivalents were $7.44 billion. Interest cover is GAAP operating income divided by interest expense for the September 2026 quarter. Lam has a $2.00 billion commercial paper program and a $2.00 billion revolving credit facility that backs it and runs to January 2030. Operating cash flow was $3.50 billion in the September 2026 quarter, and capital spending was $258 million. In the quarter, Lam paid about $1.02 billion for share buybacks and $325 million for dividends, and $3.03 billion of buyback authorization was left at September 27, 2026.
Dividends
- Dividend yield
- 0.4% (last 12 months, at today’s price of $253.82)
- Paid per share
- $1.11 in the last 12 months (4 payments)
- Current annual rate
- $1.32 ($0.33 × 4 a year)
- Payout ratio
- 18% of the last fiscal year’s earnings (the year that ended June 28, 2026)
- Latest ex-dividend date
- September 23, 2026, $0.33 per share
Dividends per share by year
| 2016 | $0.135 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | $0.185 | |
| 2018 | $0.38 | |
| 2019 | $0.45 | |
| 2020 | $0.49 | |
| 2021 | $0.56 | |
| 2022 | $0.645 | |
| 2023 | $0.745 | |
| 2024 | $0.86 | |
| 2025 | $0.98 |
Over the last 5 years, the dividend grew by about 15.5% a year. Over the last 10 years, the dividend grew by about 24.9% a year.
Source: company filings and market data, read on October 29, 2026. The ex-dividend date is the first day a buyer no longer gets the next payment.
Questions about Lam Research
What does Lam Research do?
Lam Research makes the equipment that chipmakers use to deposit and etch thin layers of material on wafers, and to clean wafers between steps. Its etch and deposition tools are used most in memory chips and in leading-edge logic chips. Its market cap is $317B at the current price of $253.82.
When does Lam Research report earnings next?
This is an estimate: Lam Research may report on January 21, 2027. It last reported results on October 21, 2026.
Is Lam Research stock below its intrinsic value?
Lam Research stock is below intrinsic value. This is general information, not advice.
What changed recently at Lam Research?
The latest update is from October 21, 2026. Lam Research reported results for the September 2026 quarter.
What are the main risks for Lam Research?
China gave 35% of revenue in the September 2026 quarter and 34% in fiscal 2026. Chip equipment spending is cyclical, and memory makers are large customers. Few customers buy most of Lam's equipment.
How much debt and cash does Lam Research have?
At September 27, 2026, Lam Research had $3.8B of debt and $7.4B of cash.
Does Lam Research pay a dividend?
Yes. Lam Research paid $1.11 per share in the last 12 months. That is a dividend yield of 0.4% at the current price of $253.82. The latest ex-dividend date was September 23, 2026.
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