Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) vs Meta Platforms, Inc. (META)

A side-by-side comparison of Lam Research Corporation and Meta Platforms, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

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Different business models: LRCX is classified in Technology; META is classified in Communication Services. Margin, capital intensity, and valuation differences should be interpreted in that sector context.

Total returnLRCX vs META

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 14y
LRCX +8980.4%META +1470.4%LRCX compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $1002015201820212024$9,080$1,570
LRCX META

LRCX vs META: by the numbers

  • META is the larger company ($1.51T vs $337.17B market cap).
  • META trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.60 vs 55.02 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • META converts more revenue to profit (32.84% vs 30.94% net margin).
  • META grew revenue faster over the past five years (17.89% vs 10.31% CAGR).
  • LRCX pays the higher dividend yield (0.36% vs 0.35%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricLRCXMETA
P/E ratio55.0221.60
Forward P/E51.2018.03
P/S ratio16.917.08
P/B ratio34.646.25
PEG ratio0.541.16
EV / EBITDA46.5914.51
FCF yield1.76%3.17%

Profitability

MetricLRCXMETA
Gross margin49.98%81.94%
Operating margin34.26%41.21%
Net margin30.94%32.84%
ROE63.38%28.97%
ROIC34.00%17.95%

Dividends

MetricLRCXMETA
Dividend yield0.36%0.35%
Payout ratio24.94%8.76%

Growth (annualized)

MetricLRCXMETA
Revenue CAGR (5Y)10.31%17.89%
EPS CAGR (5Y)21.72%18.60%
FCF CAGR (5Y)19.28%14.84%
Total return CAGR (5Y)37.60%10.03%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, LRCX or META?
META has the lower trailing P/E: LRCX trades at 55.02 and META at 21.60. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, LRCX or META?
Over the past five years, META grew revenue faster — LRCX at a 10.31% CAGR versus META at 17.89%.
Does LRCX or META pay a bigger dividend?
LRCX yields 0.36% and META yields 0.35% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is LRCX or META more profitable?
META runs the higher net margin — LRCX at 30.94% versus META at 32.84%.
How have LRCX and META total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, LRCX delivered 43.20% and META delivered 17.02% annualized total return. 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 July 28, 2026.