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).
CSCO
Cisco Systems, Inc.
$121.10Technology
LRCX
Lam Research Corporation
$366.81Technology
Total return — CSCO vs LRCX
growth of $100 · last 30yCSCO +1850.1%LRCX +34504.7%LRCX compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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 9It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCSCO(lower P/E)
GrowthLRCX(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCSCO(higher dividend yield)
QualityLRCX(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CSCO | LRCX |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 40.37● | 69.21 |
| Forward P/E | 28.33● | 46.05 |
| P/S ratio | 7.95● | 21.27 |
| P/B ratio | 9.88● | 43.57 |
| PEG ratio | 68.41 | 0.54● |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.07● | 57.60 |
| FCF yield | 2.61%● | 1.40% |
Profitability
| Metric | CSCO | LRCX |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 64.33%● | 49.98% |
| Operating margin | 23.36% | 34.26%● |
| Net margin | 19.69% | 30.94%● |
| ROE | 24.47% | 63.38%● |
| ROIC | 11.66% | 34.00%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CSCO | LRCX |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.36%● | 0.28% |
| Payout ratio | 64.45% | 24.22% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CSCO | LRCX |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cisco Systems P/E ratioLam Research P/E ratioCisco Systems dividend yieldLam Research dividend yieldCisco Systems ROELam Research ROECisco Systems operating marginLam Research operating marginCisco Systems revenue growthLam Research revenue growthCisco Systems free cash flowLam Research free cash flow
Cisco Systems & 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.