Should Lam Research Stock Be in Your Portfolio Post Solid Q1 Earnings?

Core Insights - Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) reported strong first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, with shares rising 11% since the release on October 22, indicating significant year-over-year improvement in both top and bottom lines [1][6] Financial Performance - Total revenues for the first quarter increased by 28% year-over-year to $5.32 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2%, driven by demand in the Systems and Customer Support Business Group segments [6][9] - Non-GAAP earnings per share reached $1.26, exceeding the consensus mark by 4.1%, and reflecting a 46.5% year-over-year increase [7][14] - The non-GAAP operating margin improved to 35%, up 410 basis points from the previous year, showcasing effective cost management amid a challenging macroeconomic environment [7][10] Market Performance - Year-to-date, LRCX shares have surged 117.6%, outperforming the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry's gain of 42.3% [2][3] - Compared to peers, LRCX has outperformed KLA Corporation, ASML Holding, and Applied Materials, which saw YTD gains of 93.4%, 52.7%, and 42.7%, respectively [3] Growth Drivers - The demand for AI and datacenter chips is significantly boosting LRCX's growth, with its etch and deposition technologies being critical for high-bandwidth memory and advanced packaging [11][12] - Shipments for gate-all-around nodes and advanced packaging exceeded $1 billion in 2024, with expectations to triple to over $3 billion by 2025 [12] Valuation - LRCX's forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio stands at 31.83, below the industry average of 37.93, indicating an attractive valuation relative to its long-term growth potential [9][15] - Compared to major semiconductor stocks, LRCX trades at a lower P/E multiple than ASML and KLA Corporation, while being at a premium to Applied Materials [18] Future Outlook - Analysts project continued growth momentum, with Zacks Consensus Estimates indicating revenue increases of 11.9% and 11.7% for fiscal 2026 and 2027, respectively, alongside earnings per share growth of 13% and 16.1% [14][20] - The company's strategic focus on AI-driven growth and expanding market share in fabrication technologies positions it well for future success [20]