Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)

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

A side-by-side comparison of Lam Research Corporation and QUALCOMM Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — LRCX vs QCOM

growth of $100 · last 30y
LRCX +36581.4%QCOM +7150.7%LRCX compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$36,681$7,251
LRCX QCOM

LRCX vs QCOM: by the numbers

  • LRCX is the larger company ($458.72B vs $223.15B market cap).
  • QCOM trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.72 vs 69.21 P/E).
  • LRCX converts more revenue to profit (30.94% vs 22.31% net margin).
  • LRCX grew revenue faster over the past five years (10.31% vs 8.63% CAGR).
  • QCOM pays the higher dividend yield (1.70% vs 0.28%).

Which is better, LRCX or QCOM?

Metric tally: LRCX 9 · QCOM 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricLRCXQCOM
P/E ratio69.2122.72
Forward P/E45.7919.72
P/S ratio21.275.10
P/B ratio43.578.32
PEG ratio0.543.96
EV / EBITDA57.6016.71
FCF yield1.40%5.51%

Profitability

MetricLRCXQCOM
Gross margin49.98%54.80%
Operating margin34.26%25.52%
Net margin30.94%22.31%
ROE63.38%36.38%
ROIC34.00%13.15%

Dividends

MetricLRCXQCOM
Dividend yield0.28%1.70%
Payout ratio24.22%70.95%

Growth (annualized)

MetricLRCXQCOM
Revenue CAGR (5Y)10.31%8.63%
EPS CAGR (5Y)21.72%5.74%
FCF CAGR (5Y)19.28%9.39%
Total return CAGR (5Y)43.19%11.87%

Frequently asked

Which is better, LRCX or QCOM?
It depends on your goal. value: QCOM (lower P/E); growth: LRCX (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: QCOM (higher dividend yield); quality: LRCX (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, LRCX leads 9 to 8.
Is LRCX or QCOM cheaper?
On trailing earnings, QCOM is cheaper: LRCX trades at a 69.21 P/E and QCOM at 22.72.
Which has grown faster, LRCX or QCOM?
Over the past five years, LRCX grew revenue faster — LRCX at a 10.31% CAGR versus QCOM at 8.63%.
Does LRCX or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?
LRCX yields 0.28% and QCOM yields 1.70% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is LRCX or QCOM more profitable?
LRCX runs the higher net margin — LRCX at 30.94% versus QCOM at 22.31%.
Which has been the better investment, LRCX or QCOM?
Over the past 10-year, LRCX delivered the higher annualized total return — LRCX at 48.10% versus QCOM at 17.83%. 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 15, 2026.