Micron vs. Lam Research: Which Stock Has Better Upside Potential?

Core Insights - Micron Technology and Lam Research are both benefiting from the semiconductor boom, but they operate in different segments of the industry [2][3] - Micron focuses on memory chips, while Lam Research provides the machinery for chip manufacturing, particularly for AI and high-performance computing [2][3] Micron Technology Overview - Micron Technology is well-positioned for long-term growth due to its exposure to AI, data centers, autonomous vehicles, and industrial IoT [4] - The company has shifted its focus from consumer electronics to more stable sectors like automotive and enterprise IT, resulting in a 46% increase in revenues and a 157% rise in non-GAAP EPS year over year in Q4 fiscal 2025 [5] - Micron's HBM3E products are in high demand due to their energy efficiency and bandwidth, essential for AI workloads [6] - The company is a core HBM supplier for NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 50 GPUs, indicating strong integration in the AI supply chain [7] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate predicts a 62% revenue increase and a 109% EPS growth for fiscal 2026 [8] Lam Research Overview - Lam Research is capitalizing on AI trends by providing tools for manufacturing next-generation semiconductors [9] - The company has innovative products like the ALTUS ALD tool and the Aether platform, which enhance chip production efficiency [10] - Lam Research's shipments for advanced packaging exceeded $1 billion in 2024, with expectations to triple to over $3 billion in 2025 [12] - The company has maintained quarterly revenues above $5 billion for two consecutive quarters, reflecting strong demand from major chipmakers [13] - In Q1 fiscal 2026, Lam Research reported revenues of $5.32 billion, a 28% year-over-year increase, and a non-GAAP EPS of $1.26, up 46.5% [14] Comparative Analysis - Micron Technology shows a stronger growth outlook with a projected 62% revenue growth and 109.4% EPS increase for fiscal 2026, compared to Lam Research's 14% revenue growth and 15.7% EPS increase [15][16] - Micron trades at a lower forward P/E of 12.86 compared to Lam Research's 30.93, indicating a more attractive valuation [17] - Year-to-date, Micron has outperformed Lam Research with a 181.9% increase compared to Lam's 119.7% [18] Investment Conclusion - Micron Technology is considered a better investment choice due to its higher EPS growth projection and lower valuation P/E multiple [20]