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).
AMAT
Applied Materials, Inc.
$567.25Technology
LRCX
Lam Research Corporation
$366.81Technology
Total return — AMAT vs LRCX
growth of $100 · last 30yAMAT +12762.8%LRCX +34504.7%LRCX compounded faster
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 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueAMAT(lower P/E)
GrowthLRCX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityLRCX(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | AMAT | LRCX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 53.31● | 69.21 |
| Forward P/E | 46.38 | 46.05 |
| P/S ratio | 15.62● | 21.27 |
| P/B ratio | 18.96● | 43.57 |
| PEG ratio | 76.90 | 0.54● |
| EV / EBITDA | 42.42● | 57.60 |
| FCF yield | 1.32% | 1.40%● |
Profitability
| Metric | AMAT | LRCX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 48.96% | 49.98%● |
| Operating margin | 29.51% | 34.26%● |
| Net margin | 29.31% | 30.94%● |
| ROE | 35.58% | 63.38%● |
| ROIC | 21.96% | 34.00%● |
Dividends
| Metric | AMAT | LRCX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.34%● | 0.28% |
| Payout ratio | 21.93% | 24.22% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AMAT | LRCX |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Applied Materials P/E ratioLam Research P/E ratioApplied Materials dividend yieldLam Research dividend yieldApplied Materials ROELam Research ROEApplied Materials operating marginLam Research operating marginApplied Materials revenue growthLam Research revenue growthApplied Materials free cash flowLam Research free cash flow
Applied Materials & Lam Research appear in these rankings
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.