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).
LRCX
Lam Research Corporation
$366.81Technology
QCOM
QUALCOMM Incorporated
$211.72Technology
Total return — LRCX vs QCOM
growth of $100 · last 30yLRCX +36581.4%QCOM +7150.7%LRCX compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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 8It 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
| Metric | LRCX | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 69.21 | 22.72● |
| Forward P/E | 45.79 | 19.72● |
| P/S ratio | 21.27 | 5.10● |
| P/B ratio | 43.57 | 8.32● |
| PEG ratio | 0.54● | 3.96 |
| EV / EBITDA | 57.60 | 16.71● |
| FCF yield | 1.40% | 5.51%● |
Profitability
| Metric | LRCX | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 49.98% | 54.80%● |
| Operating margin | 34.26%● | 25.52% |
| Net margin | 30.94%● | 22.31% |
| ROE | 63.38%● | 36.38% |
| ROIC | 34.00%● | 13.15% |
Dividends
| Metric | LRCX | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.28% | 1.70%● |
| Payout ratio | 24.22% | 70.95% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | LRCX | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Lam Research P/E ratioQUALCOMM P/E ratioLam Research dividend yieldQUALCOMM dividend yieldLam Research ROEQUALCOMM ROELam Research operating marginQUALCOMM operating marginLam Research revenue growthQUALCOMM revenue growthLam Research free cash flowQUALCOMM free cash flow
Lam Research & QUALCOMM 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 15, 2026.