Is Lam Research the AI Dividend Stock Wall Street Is Overlooking?

Core Insights - Lam Research is a significant player in the semiconductor industry, providing essential equipment and services for chip fabrication, with a notable dividend yield of 0.74% and a history of doubling dividends over the past five years [1][2] Company Overview - Lam Research specializes in manufacturing equipment for foundries that produce microprocessors, memory devices, and other semiconductor products used in various computing devices [2] - The company’s products are crucial for processes such as thin film deposition, plasma etching, photoresist stripping, and wafer cleaning [2] Financial Performance - For the quarter ending September 28, Lam Research reported record revenue of $5.32 billion, reflecting a nearly 3% increase year-over-year, with an operating margin of 35% [5] - Earnings per share decreased from $1.35 in Q3 2024 to $1.24 in the recent quarter [5] Market Outlook - The semiconductor industry is valued at $627.76 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $1.2 trillion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5% [3] - Management anticipates revenue exceeding $105 billion for water fabrication equipment in 2025, driven by strong investments in high-bandwidth memory products and AI-related demand expected to boost revenue in 2026 [6] Guidance - Lam Research provided guidance for the December quarter, projecting revenue between $4.9 billion and $5.5 billion, and earnings per share ranging from $1.05 to $1.25 [7] Market Concerns - China is the largest market for Lam Research, accounting for 43% of sales in the third quarter, but trade tensions are expected to reduce this share to less than 30% by 2026 [9]