Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) vs Lam Research Corporation (LRCX)

LRCX leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics, though AMAT is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Applied Materials, Inc. and Lam Research Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 13, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Total return — AMAT vs LRCX

growth of $100 · last 30y
AMAT +12762.8%LRCX +34504.7%LRCX compounded faster
010k20k30kStart $100200120062011201620212026$12,863$34,605
AMAT LRCX

AMAT vs LRCX: by the numbers

  • LRCX is the larger company ($458.72B vs $450.37B market cap).
  • AMAT trades at the lower earnings multiple (53.31 vs 69.21 P/E).
  • LRCX converts more revenue to profit (30.94% vs 29.31% net margin).
  • LRCX grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.31% vs 9.33% CAGR).
  • AMAT pays the higher dividend yield (0.34% vs 0.28%).

Which is better, AMAT or LRCX?

Metric tally: AMAT 5 · LRCX 11

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueAMAT(lower P/E)
GrowthLRCX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityLRCX(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricAMATLRCX
P/E ratio53.3169.21
Forward P/E46.3846.05
P/S ratio15.6221.27
P/B ratio18.9643.57
PEG ratio76.900.54
EV / EBITDA42.4257.60
FCF yield1.32%1.40%

Profitability

MetricAMATLRCX
Gross margin48.96%49.98%
Operating margin29.51%34.26%
Net margin29.31%30.94%
ROE35.58%63.38%
ROIC21.96%34.00%

Dividends

MetricAMATLRCX
Dividend yield0.34%0.28%
Payout ratio21.93%24.22%

Growth (annualized)

MetricAMATLRCX
Revenue CAGR (5Y)9.33%10.31%
EPS CAGR (5Y)17.13%21.72%
FCF CAGR (5Y)9.02%19.28%
Total return CAGR (5Y)34.01%43.19%

Frequently asked

Which is better, AMAT or LRCX?
It depends on your goal. value: AMAT (lower P/E); growth: LRCX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: LRCX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, LRCX leads 11 to 5.
Is AMAT or LRCX cheaper?
On trailing earnings, AMAT is cheaper: AMAT trades at a 53.31 P/E and LRCX at 69.21.
Which has grown faster, AMAT or LRCX?
Over the past five years, LRCX grew revenue faster — AMAT at a 9.33% CAGR versus LRCX at 10.31%.
Does AMAT or LRCX pay a bigger dividend?
AMAT yields 0.34% and LRCX yields 0.28% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is AMAT or LRCX more profitable?
LRCX runs the higher net margin — AMAT at 29.31% versus LRCX at 30.94%.
Which has been the better investment, AMAT or LRCX?
Over the past 10-year, LRCX delivered the higher annualized total return — AMAT at 38.64% versus LRCX at 48.10%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified June 13, 2026.