Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) vs Lam Research Corporation (LRCX)

LRCX leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though CSCO is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Cisco Systems, 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 — CSCO vs LRCX

growth of $100 · last 30y
CSCO +1850.1%LRCX +34504.7%LRCX compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,950$34,605
CSCO LRCX

CSCO vs LRCX: by the numbers

  • CSCO is the larger company ($477.31B vs $458.72B market cap).
  • CSCO trades at the lower earnings multiple (40.37 vs 69.21 P/E).
  • LRCX converts more revenue to profit (30.94% vs 19.69% net margin).
  • LRCX grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.31% vs 4.58% CAGR).
  • CSCO pays the higher dividend yield (1.36% vs 0.28%).

Which is better, CSCO or LRCX?

Metric tally: CSCO 8 · LRCX 9

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCSCO(lower P/E)
GrowthLRCX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCSCO(higher dividend yield)
QualityLRCX(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCSCOLRCX
P/E ratio40.3769.21
Forward P/E28.3346.05
P/S ratio7.9521.27
P/B ratio9.8843.57
PEG ratio68.410.54
EV / EBITDA29.0757.60
FCF yield2.61%1.40%

Profitability

MetricCSCOLRCX
Gross margin64.33%49.98%
Operating margin23.36%34.26%
Net margin19.69%30.94%
ROE24.47%63.38%
ROIC11.66%34.00%

Dividends

MetricCSCOLRCX
Dividend yield1.36%0.28%
Payout ratio64.45%24.22%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCSCOLRCX
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.58%10.31%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-0.69%21.72%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-2.45%19.28%
Total return CAGR (5Y)20.60%43.19%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CSCO or LRCX?
It depends on your goal. value: CSCO (lower P/E); growth: LRCX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CSCO (higher dividend yield); quality: LRCX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, LRCX leads 9 to 8.
Is CSCO or LRCX cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CSCO is cheaper: CSCO trades at a 40.37 P/E and LRCX at 69.21.
Which has grown faster, CSCO or LRCX?
Over the past five years, LRCX grew revenue faster — CSCO at a 4.58% CAGR versus LRCX at 10.31%.
Does CSCO or LRCX pay a bigger dividend?
CSCO yields 1.36% and LRCX yields 0.28% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CSCO or LRCX more profitable?
LRCX runs the higher net margin — CSCO at 19.69% versus LRCX at 30.94%.
Which has been the better investment, CSCO or LRCX?
Over the past 10-year, LRCX delivered the higher annualized total return — CSCO at 18.88% 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.