Core Viewpoint - Lam Research and JSR Corp. have entered a non-exclusive cross-licensing and collaboration agreement to enhance next-generation semiconductor manufacturing, combining their respective strengths in deposition, etch, and advanced materials [1][2] Group 1: Partnership and Technology Development - The collaboration aims to integrate JSR/Inpria's patterning resists and films with Lam's Aether dry resist and atomic layer processing technologies to create synergies [2] - The focus will be on advancing dry resist technology for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography, high NA EUV patterning for advanced nodes, and new precursor materials for atomic layer deposition and etch [3] Group 2: Financial Performance - Lam Research reported better-than-expected fiscal fourth-quarter earnings with adjusted earnings of $1.33 per share on revenue of $5.17 billion, surpassing consensus estimates [5] - Despite strong results, shares fell over 5% as investors considered the sustainability of growth primarily driven by China [5] Group 3: Market Outlook and Guidance - Management provided guidance for first-quarter fiscal 2026 adjusted EPS between $1.10 and $1.30 on revenue of $4.9 billion to $5.5 billion, exceeding forecasts [6] - The company raised its 2025 wafer fabrication equipment (WFE) market outlook to $105 billion from $100 billion due to a surge in Chinese orders, with China now accounting for over 35% of Lam's revenue [6] Group 4: Analyst Insights - Needham analyst Charles Shi described the quarter as a "strong beat-and-raise," driven by Chinese demand, but noted potential signs of revenue pullback [7] - Goldman Sachs analyst James Schneider highlighted Lam's strength beyond China, emphasizing momentum in logic and memory segments, and its leadership in deposition and etch as structural growth drivers through 2026 [8]

Core Viewpoint - The global semiconductor equipment industry is projected to see significant growth, with the top 10 companies expected to generate over $64 billion in revenue in the first half of 2025, marking a year-on-year increase of approximately 24% [5][6]. Summary by Sections Global Semiconductor Equipment Market Overview - The top 10 semiconductor equipment manufacturers will maintain the same rankings in 1H'25 as in 2024, with the first five positions unchanged [6]. - The combined revenue of the top five companies is nearly $54 billion, accounting for about 85% of the total revenue of the top 10 [6]. Top 10 Semiconductor Equipment Manufacturers 1. **ASML (Netherlands)**: - Revenue of approximately $17 billion in 1H'25, with a year-on-year growth of 38% [10]. 2. **Applied Materials (USA)**: - Revenue of about $13.7 billion in 1H'25, with a year-on-year growth of 7% [11]. 3. **Lam Research (USA)**: - Revenue growth of 29% in 1H'25 [12]. 4. **Tokyo Electron (Japan)**: - Revenue growth of 10% in 1H'25 [13]. 5. **KLA (USA)**: - Revenue growth of 27% in 1H'25 [14]. 6. **Advantest (Japan)**: - Revenue growth of 124% in 1H'25 [15]. 7. **Naura (China)**: - Revenue of approximately $2.2 billion in 1H'25, with a growth of 31% [16]. 8. **ASM International (Netherlands)**: - Revenue growth of 28% in 1H'25 [17]. 9. **Screen (Japan)**: - Revenue growth of 2% in 1H'25 [18]. 10. **Disco (Japan)**: - Revenue growth of 13% in 1H'25 [19]. Notable Trends - Naura is the only Chinese semiconductor equipment manufacturer to enter the global top 10, moving from eighth to sixth place in 2024, and then dropping to seventh in 1H'25 [6].

Accessibility StatementSkip Navigation (PRNewsfoto/Lam Research) JSR Corporation About Lam ResearchLam Research Corporation is a global supplier of innovative wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry. Lam's equipment and services allow customers to build smaller and better performing devices. In fact, today, nearly every advanced chip is built with Lam technology. We combine superior systems engineering, technology leadership, and a strong values-based culture, with an unwaveri ...

Summary of the Conference Call on the Semiconductor Industry Industry Overview - The conference featured presentations from major companies in the semiconductor sector, including Nvidia, Broadcom, AMD, ARM, Cadence, Synopsys, Intel, and others, covering various sub-sectors such as Digital/AI Semiconductors, EDA Software, Analog, SemiCap Equipment, and Memory/Storage [1] Key Takeaways AI Opportunities - Companies expressed a bullish outlook on long-term AI opportunities, with expectations for robust spending in 2026 [2][8] - Nvidia anticipates capital spending on AI to exceed $3 trillion by 2030, while Broadcom expects AI revenue to surpass combined Software and Non-AI revenue within two years [9] EDA Software Growth - EDA companies maintain a positive outlook on long-term growth, although Synopsys lowered expectations for its IP business due to various factors [3][10] - Cadence reported robust chip design activity and growing adoption of AI offerings, while Synopsys faced challenges from disruptions in China and a weak IP outlook [11] Analog Market Recovery - Analog companies are witnessing early signs of cyclical recovery, although some sluggishness persists in the automotive market [4][12] - Texas Instruments noted recovery in four out of five end markets, with expectations for significant growth in the data center market [13] Equipment Spending Trends - Equipment suppliers expect continued growth in spending for 2025, but anticipate muted growth in 2026 due to digestion of trailing-edge capacity [5][14] - Applied Materials and Lam Research are positioned for growth due to their exposure to leading-edge logic and advanced packaging [15] Storage Market Dynamics - Storage providers are optimistic about tight supply/demand conditions in both NAND and HDD markets, which should support pricing [16] - Seagate is on track to qualify its HAMR product with customers, while Western Digital and SanDisk expect stable pricing and continued growth in the NAND market [17] Additional Insights - The "merchant vs custom" debate remains a focal point for investors, with Nvidia and Broadcom positioned as leaders in their respective segments [8] - The conference highlighted the importance of AI in driving future growth across various sectors, with companies like IBM emphasizing their unique positioning to meet AI deployment needs [9] Conclusion - The semiconductor industry is poised for significant growth driven by AI, with various sub-sectors showing resilience and recovery potential. Companies are strategically positioned to capitalize on these trends, although challenges remain in specific markets.

Core Insights - Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) and Micron Technology, Inc. (MU) are both benefiting from the semiconductor boom, but they operate in different segments of the industry [1][2] - Lam Research focuses on providing advanced machines for chip manufacturing, particularly for AI and high-performance computing, while Micron specializes in memory chips like DRAM and NAND [1][2] Lam Research Performance - Lam Research is capitalizing on AI trends by supplying tools necessary for manufacturing next-generation semiconductors, including high-bandwidth memory (HBM) [3][4] - In fiscal 2024, Lam Research's shipments for gate-all-around nodes and advanced packaging exceeded $1 billion, with expectations to triple to over $3 billion in 2025 [5] - The company reported revenues of $5.17 billion in Q4 fiscal 2025, a 34% increase year over year, and a non-GAAP EPS of $1.33, reflecting a 64% increase [6][11] Micron Performance - Micron is positioned for long-term growth due to its exposure to AI, high-performance data centers, and industrial IoT, with a focus on advanced memory solutions [7] - The company has shifted its strategy towards more stable revenue sources, resulting in a 37% increase in revenues and a 208% increase in non-GAAP EPS in Q3 fiscal 2025 [8][11] - Micron's HBM3E products are gaining traction due to their energy efficiency and bandwidth, essential for AI workloads [9] Growth Outlook - Micron's growth profile is stronger, with consensus estimates indicating a 33.9% revenue growth and 60.7% EPS growth for fiscal 2026 [12] - In contrast, Lam Research's growth estimates suggest a slowdown, with only 6% revenue growth and 2.2% EPS growth projected for fiscal 2026 [15] Valuation Comparison - Lam Research trades at a higher forward P/E multiple of 25.69 compared to Micron's 11.46, indicating a larger premium for LRCX stock despite lower growth projections [19] - Year-to-date, Micron's stock has increased by 78.9%, outperforming Lam Research's 60% gain [20] Investment Conclusion - Given Micron's higher EPS growth projections and lower valuation P/E multiple, it is considered a more attractive investment compared to Lam Research [21]

Group 1: Lam Research (LRCX) - Lam Research is essential to the semiconductor industry, providing crucial equipment for wafer fabrication, particularly in etch and deposition [2][3] - The company reported a record earnings per share (EPS) and a gross margin exceeding 50% for the fourth consecutive quarter [3] - Despite its strong fundamentals, LRCX stock is likely to remain rangebound, with recent price action constrained by Bollinger Bands and limited momentum indicators [4][6] Group 2: Arista Networks (ANET) - Arista Networks has benefited from significant capital expenditure by AI hyperscalers, positioning itself as a market leader in data center switching [7][8] - The stock has risen over 73% in the past 12 months, but trades at a high valuation of over 55x earnings, raising concerns about its premium compared to historical averages [8][10] - ANET stock is currently facing resistance near its all-time high, with momentum indicators suggesting it may be approaching oversold territory [10] Group 3: Shopify (SHOP) - Shopify is a leading e-commerce company, but its stock has declined over 7.5% in the 30 days ending September 9, despite a 32% increase following a strong earnings report [11][12] - The stock trades at approximately 92x earnings, significantly higher than its three-year average, indicating potential for further profit-taking [12][14] - Analysts are raising price targets for SHOP stock, with firm support around $137, suggesting that investors may not have to wait long for a positive turn [14][15]

Group 1 - Lam Research (LRCX) experienced a strong stock performance with a 7.66% increase on September 11, reaching a new high since October 2024, reflecting market optimism towards the company's recent innovations and performance [1] - The company launched the new VECTOR TEOS 3D deposition tool on September 9, 2025, capable of depositing dielectric films up to 60 microns thick, which is significant for advanced packaging processes in 3D chips [1] - Lam Research's revenue for fiscal year 2025 reached $18.435591 billion, representing a year-over-year growth of 23.7%, showcasing the company's ongoing efforts in technological innovation and market expansion [1] Group 2 - The recent stock price increase of Lam Research is attributed to its technological advancements and strong financial performance, which are crucial for the company's further development in a competitive market [2] - Continuous innovation and robust financial results are essential for Lam Research to maintain its competitive edge in the semiconductor equipment market [2]

Group 1 - Lam Research (NASDAQ:LRCX) is set to achieve its seventh consecutive gaining session, with the stock reaching a 52-week high of $115.89 on September 11 [5] - The company has benefited from the overall advancement of U.S. stocks, contributing to its positive performance [5]

Market Performance - All three major U.S. equity benchmarks, including the S&P 500, Nasdaq 100, and Dow Jones, reached record highs as investors favored risk assets amid expectations of falling interest rates [1][2] - The S&P 500 rose 0.8% to 6,585.53, the Nasdaq 100 increased 0.7% to 24,012.41, and the Dow Jones jumped 1.3% to 46,087.94 [2][7] - The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF increased by 0.8% to $604.49, while the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1.2% to $461.58 [7] Sector Performance - All 11 S&P sectors experienced gains, with consumer discretionary, materials, and financials leading the way [3] - The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund outperformed, increasing by 1.3%, while the Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund lagged with a 0.1% rise [7] Company Performance - Top gainers in the S&P 500 included Synopsys, Inc. (+11.11%), Centene Corporation (+10.66%), and Micron Technology, Inc. (+9.57%) [8] - Notable losers included Delta Air Lines, Inc. (-4.30%), Oracle Corporation (-3.38%), and Netflix, Inc. (-2.83%) [9]

The US economic data today showed weakness in the employment (initial jobs claims 263K versus 235K estimate), and higher CPI. However, the upside surprise was largely driven by housing costs rather than tariffs. Rent rose 0.34% month-over-month, the fastest pace since December 2024, while shelter costs climbed 0.39% month-over-month, the biggest increase since January 2025. Both components remain sticky drivers of inflation, though real-time indicators suggest that housing prices are already softening. As a ...