Core Viewpoint - Zacks Premium offers various tools and resources to help investors make informed decisions and enhance their confidence in stock market investments [1][2]. Summary by Category Zacks Style Scores - Zacks Style Scores provide a rating system for stocks based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, aiding investors in selecting securities with high potential for market outperformance over the next 30 days [2][3]. Value Score - The Value Style Score focuses on identifying undervalued stocks using financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, Price/Sales, and Price/Cash Flow, helping value investors find attractive investment opportunities [3]. Growth Score - The Growth Style Score evaluates a company's financial health and future outlook by analyzing projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow, targeting stocks with sustainable growth potential [4]. Momentum Score - The Momentum Style Score assists investors in capitalizing on price trends by analyzing short-term price changes and earnings estimate revisions, emphasizing the importance of market trends [5]. VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the three Style Scores (Value, Growth, Momentum) to provide a comprehensive rating, helping investors identify stocks with the best overall potential [6]. Zacks Rank - The Zacks Rank is a proprietary model that uses earnings estimate revisions to simplify portfolio building, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically yielding an average annual return of +23.75% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [7][8]. Stock Selection Strategy - To maximize returns, investors should focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B, while also considering the direction of earnings estimate revisions [9][10]. Company Spotlight: Lam Research (LRCX) - Lam Research Corporation, based in Fremont, CA, provides wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry and related markets [11]. - LRCX holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) with a VGM Score of B, indicating potential for growth [11]. - The company is projected to achieve year-over-year earnings growth of 5.8% for the current fiscal year, supported by upward revisions in earnings estimates from analysts [12].

Core Viewpoint - The stock price of Applied Materials, a major player in the semiconductor equipment manufacturing sector, plummeted over 14% following disappointing sales and earnings forecasts, raising concerns about future demand in the semiconductor industry [1][2]. Financial Performance - For the third fiscal quarter, Applied Materials reported a non-GAAP earnings per share of $2.48, a 17% year-over-year increase, surpassing analyst expectations of $2.36 [3]. - Revenue reached $7.3 billion, an 8% year-over-year growth, also exceeding the forecast of $7.22 billion [3]. - The gross margin improved to 48.9%, up 150 basis points year-over-year, while the operating margin rose to 30.7%, an increase of 190 basis points [3]. Market Impact - Following the earnings report, shares of other U.S. semiconductor equipment manufacturers, KLA Corp and Lam Research, fell by 8.4% and 7.3%, respectively, indicating a broader market reaction to Applied Materials' outlook [1][5]. - Citigroup downgraded Applied Materials from its focus list and lowered the target price to $205 per share, while Stifel reduced its target price from $195 to $180 [2]. Management Commentary - CEO Gary Dickerson highlighted the current dynamic macroeconomic environment, which has introduced uncertainty and lower visibility, particularly regarding business in China [2][3]. - CFO Bryce Hill noted that revenue is expected to decline due to capacity digestion in the Chinese market and non-linear demand characteristics from leading customers [3]. Strategic Initiatives - Applied Materials is investing over $200 million to establish a new parts factory in Arizona to enhance domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities [6]. - The company aims to allocate 80% to 100% of its free cash flow to shareholders in the near term [4].

Core Viewpoint - Applied Materials' warning about declining revenue and profits in Q4 2025 has negatively impacted Lam Research's stock performance, raising concerns among investors about potential similar outcomes for Lam [1][4][6] Group 1: Applied Materials Performance - Applied Materials reported Q3 fiscal 2025 earnings of $2.48 per share on sales of $7.3 billion, exceeding analyst expectations of $2.36 per share and $7.2 billion in sales [3] - However, the company projected Q4 profits to drop to approximately $2.11 per share, below Wall Street's forecast of $2.38 per share [4] - Q4 revenue is expected to decline to $6.7 billion, an 8% decrease compared to Wall Street expectations, attributed to "digestion of capacity in China" and "non-linear demand from leading-edge customers" [5][6] Group 2: Impact on Lam Research - Lam Research's stock fell by 6.9% following Applied Materials' announcement, reflecting investor concerns about the semiconductor equipment market [1][6] - The current valuation of Lam Research at 26 times earnings raises questions about its attractiveness as an investment, suggesting it may be time for investors to consider selling [6]

Core Insights - Lam Research (LRCX) is enhancing its position in molybdenum (moly) deposition technology, which is expected to increase its market share in the chip equipment sector [1] - Molybdenum is becoming increasingly important as the semiconductor industry progresses below the 2nm node, addressing resistance-capacitance issues associated with traditional tungsten films [2] - The adoption of moly deposition is anticipated to significantly expand Lam Research's served available market (SAM) for metal deposition per wafer at advanced nodes [2][5] Company Developments - Lam Research's Halo ALD Moly tools are being adopted by multiple NAND customers, with expectations of increased usage as manufacturers scale NAND capacity beyond 200 layers [3] - A significant win was secured in Q4 of fiscal 2025 from a leading foundry for next-generation applications, showcasing Lam's multi-station architecture that supports both plasma and thermal processing [4] - Moly adoption, along with advanced packaging and high-bandwidth memory, is projected to expand Lam Research's SAM to the high-30% range of wafer fabrication equipment in the coming years [5] Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Applied Materials (AMAT) and ASML Holding (ASML) are also experiencing growth as memory manufacturers invest in next-generation technologies [6] - Applied Materials is seeing a resurgence in NAND investment, with projected revenue growth exceeding 40% in fiscal 2025 due to customer upgrades [7] - ASML Holding reported that 31% of its net system sales were derived from memory, driven by strong demand from DRAM and logic customers [8] Financial Performance - Lam Research's shares have increased by 41.9% year-to-date, outperforming the Zacks Electronics – Semiconductors industry's growth of 19.7% [9] - The forward price-to-earnings ratio for Lam Research stands at 23.03, significantly lower than the industry's average of 34.32 [12] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Lam Research's fiscal 2026 earnings has been revised upward to $4.38 per share, indicating a year-over-year growth of 5.8% [15]

Core Insights - Lam Research (LRCX) and Applied Materials (AMAT) are key players in the semiconductor manufacturing equipment sector, significantly contributing to the AI-driven growth in chip fabrication [2][3] - Both companies are benefiting from industry trends, but they present different risk-reward profiles for investors [3] Lam Research Overview - Lam Research is leveraging AI trends by providing essential tools for manufacturing next-generation semiconductors, crucial for AI and cloud data centers [4] - The company’s innovative products, such as the ALTUS ALD tool and Aether platform, enhance chip production efficiency and performance [5] - In 2024, Lam Research's shipments for gate-all-around nodes and advanced packaging surpassed $1 billion, with expectations to exceed $3 billion in 2025 [6] - For Q4 fiscal 2025, Lam Research reported revenues of $5.17 billion, a 34% year-over-year increase, and a non-GAAP EPS of $1.33, reflecting a 64% rise [7] Applied Materials Overview - Applied Materials is a leader in semiconductor fabrication equipment, focusing on deposition, etching, and inspection processes [8] - The company is experiencing strong demand for its technologies, including the Sym3 Magnum etch system and Cold Field Emission eBeam technology, driven by AI adoption [9] - Since its launch in February 2024, the Sym3 Magnum etch system has generated over $1.2 billion in revenues, with projected DRAM revenue growth exceeding 40% in fiscal 2025 [10] - In 2024, revenues from advanced semiconductor nodes for Applied Materials surpassed $2.5 billion, with expectations to double in fiscal 2025 [11] Growth Profiles - Both companies show similar growth profiles, with Lam Research's fiscal 2026 and 2027 revenue estimates indicating mid-single-digit growth, while non-GAAP EPS is expected to grow in the mid-high single-digit range [13] - Applied Materials also anticipates mid-single-digit revenue growth for fiscal 2025 and 2026, with EPS growth in the mid to high-single-digit range [14] Valuation Comparison - Lam Research trades at a higher forward P/E of 23.02 compared to Applied Materials' 18.74, indicating a larger premium for LRCX despite similar growth profiles [15] - Lam Research's business model is more concentrated in memory markets, making it more susceptible to cyclical downturns, while Applied Materials has a more diversified revenue base [17] Conclusion - Both companies are positioned to benefit from the AI-driven semiconductor investment cycle, but Applied Materials is viewed as a more attractive option due to its diversified product portfolio and better valuation [19]

Core Insights - Lam Research's international operations are crucial for understanding its financial resilience and growth potential [1][2] - The company's total revenue for the quarter reached $5.17 billion, marking a 33.6% year-over-year increase [4] International Revenue Breakdown - China contributed 35.5% of total revenue, amounting to $1.84 billion, exceeding expectations by +8.65% [5] - Southeast Asia generated $126.85 million, representing 2.5% of total revenue, falling short of projections by -58.25% [6] - Taiwan's revenue was $966.22 million, accounting for 18.7% of total revenue, surpassing estimates by +11.78% [7] - Korea contributed $1.12 billion, making up 21.8% of total revenue, exceeding expectations by +7.99% [8] - Japan accounted for 14.3% of total revenue, translating to $741.29 million, significantly surpassing expectations by +88.29% [9] - Europe contributed $89.85 million, representing 1.7% of total revenue, missing projections by -46.46% [10] Future Revenue Projections - Analysts expect total revenue for the current fiscal quarter to be $5.22 billion, a 25.2% increase from the previous year [11] - Projected contributions from various regions include: China (29.5% or $1.54 billion), Southeast Asia (5.1% or $264.9 million), Taiwan (16.1% or $842.65 million), Korea (19.5% or $1.02 billion), Japan (7.3% or $381.88 million), and Europe (3.1% or $162.61 million) [12] - For the entire year, total revenue is forecasted at $19.49 billion, a 5.7% improvement from the previous year, with regional contributions expected from China (31.3% or $6.1 billion), Southeast Asia (5.4% or $1.05 billion), Taiwan (18% or $3.52 billion), Korea (21.3% or $4.16 billion), Japan (8.1% or $1.57 billion), and Europe (3.2% or $621.65 million) [13] Conclusion - Lam Research's reliance on global markets for revenue presents both opportunities and challenges, making the monitoring of international revenue trends essential for predicting future performance [14]

Table of Contents UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) ☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the fiscal year ended June 29, 2025 OR ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from to . Commission file number: 0-12933 LAM RESEARCH CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 94-2634797 (State or ot ...

Group 1: AI Market Overview - Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to significantly impact the global economy, potentially contributing 3.5% or nearly $20 trillion to global GDP by the end of the decade [1] - Investors have heavily invested in AI stocks over the past three years, leading to high valuations for many companies in the sector [2] Group 2: Meta Platforms - Meta Platforms is leveraging AI to enhance its digital advertising capabilities, resulting in a 5% increase in ad conversions on Instagram and a 3% increase on Facebook [5] - User engagement has improved, with time spent on Facebook and Instagram increasing by 5% and 6% respectively, contributing to a 22% rise in Q2 revenue to $47.5 billion [6] - Meta's adjusted earnings per share grew by 38% year-over-year to $7.14, exceeding Wall Street expectations [7] - The average price per ad served increased by 9% year-over-year, and ad impressions rose by 11% due to AI-driven user engagement [7] - Nearly 2 million advertisers are utilizing Meta's generative AI tools, which have shown a 22% improvement in return on ad spend [9] - Meta is currently trading at an attractive valuation of 27 times earnings, lower than the Nasdaq-100 index's multiple of almost 33 [10] Group 3: Lam Research - Lam Research plays a crucial role in the AI revolution by providing semiconductor manufacturing equipment necessary for AI model training and deployment [11][12] - Increased capital expenditure budgets from semiconductor companies are expected, with SEMI projecting a 6.2% increase in wafer fabrication equipment (WFE) spending in 2025 and a 10.2% increase in 2026 [13] - Lam Research reported a 23% year-over-year increase in annual revenue to $18.4 billion and a 43% increase in diluted earnings per share to $4.15 [14] - The company anticipates $5.2 billion in revenue for the current quarter, surpassing the consensus estimate of $4.63 billion, indicating a 25% year-over-year increase [15] - Analysts expect Lam to achieve double-digit earnings growth rates, supported by a projected 24% annual growth in the AI chip market over the next five years [16] - Lam is trading at 23 times trailing earnings, presenting a favorable investment opportunity given its potential for AI-driven growth [17]

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Core Insights - Lam Research (LRCX) reported strong fourth-quarter fiscal 2025 results, with both revenue and earnings exceeding expectations [1][2][9] Financial Performance - LRCX's fourth-quarter non-GAAP earnings were $1.33 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 10.8% and reflecting a 64.2% year-over-year increase [1] - The company reported revenues of $5.17 billion, surpassing the consensus estimate by 3.6% and increasing 34% from $3.87 billion in the same quarter last year [2][9] - Systems revenues reached $3.44 billion, accounting for 66.5% of total revenues, marking a 58% year-over-year increase [3] - Customer Support Business Group revenues were $1.73 billion, representing 33.5% of total revenues, with a 1.9% year-over-year increase [4] Operating Metrics - Non-GAAP gross margin improved to 50.3%, up 130 basis points from the previous quarter [5] - Non-GAAP operating expenses rose to $822.4 million, a 7.7% increase from the prior quarter, but as a percentage of revenues, they decreased to 15.9% [5] - The non-GAAP operating margin improved to 34.4%, reflecting a 160 basis point sequential increase [5] Cash Flow and Shareholder Returns - As of June 29, 2025, Lam Research held $6.39 billion in cash and cash equivalents, up from $5.45 billion in the previous quarter [6] - Cash flow from operating activities increased significantly to $2.55 billion, compared to $1.31 billion in the prior quarter [6] - The company paid dividends totaling $295.2 million and repurchased shares worth $1.29 billion during the quarter [7] Future Guidance - For the first quarter of fiscal 2026, Lam Research projects revenues of $5.2 billion (+/- $300 million), indicating year-over-year growth of 11.2% [8][10] - The projected non-GAAP earnings per share for the first quarter is $1.20 (+/- $0.10), which is above the current consensus estimate of $1.00 per share [10]