WallStSmart

Carnival Corporation (CCL)vsLam Research Corp (LRCX)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Carnival Corporation generates 24% more annual revenue ($26.98B vs $21.68B). LRCX leads profitability with a 30.9% profit margin vs 11.5%. CCL appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.09. LRCX earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 74/100 (B).

CCL

Strong Buy

70

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.7Profit: 7.0Value: 8.7Quality: 3.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 0.89

LRCX

Strong Buy

74

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 10.0Value: 4.7Quality: 7.8
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 4.65
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

CCLUndervalued (+30.7%)

Margin of Safety

+30.7%

Fair Value

$47.73

Current Price

$26.38

$21.35 discount

UndervaluedFair: $47.73Overvalued
LRCXUndervalued (+16.5%)

Margin of Safety

+16.5%

Fair Value

$343.11

Current Price

$294.05

$49.06 discount

UndervaluedFair: $343.11Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

CCL4 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
P/E RatioValuation
11.9x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Return on EquityProfitability
27.9%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 28 in profit

Price/BookValuation
2.8x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
35.8%8/10

Earnings expanding 35.8% YoY

LRCX6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Market CapQuality
$358.31B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
66.8%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 67 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
30.9%10/10

Keeps 31 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
35.0%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 35.0%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.6510/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Revenue GrowthGrowth
23.8%8/10

Revenue surging 23.8% year-over-year

Areas to Watch

CCL2 concerns · Avg: 1.5/10
Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.892/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Debt/EquityHealth
2.281/10

Elevated debt levels

LRCX3 concerns · Avg: 2.7/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.744/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
54.1x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
34.8x2/10

Trading at 34.8x book value

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : CCL

The strongest argument for CCL centers on P/E Ratio, Return on Equity, Price/Book. PEG of 1.09 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : LRCX

The strongest argument for LRCX centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 30.9% and operating margin at 35.0%. Revenue growth of 23.8% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : CCL

The primary concerns for CCL are Altman Z-Score, Debt/Equity. Debt-to-equity of 2.28 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : LRCX

The primary concerns for LRCX are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. A P/E of 54.1x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

CCL profiles as a value stock while LRCX is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

CCL carries more volatility with a beta of 2.33 — expect wider price swings.

LRCX is growing revenue faster at 23.8% — sustainability is the question.

LRCX generates stronger free cash flow (810M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

LRCX scores higher overall (74/100 vs 70/100), backed by strong 30.9% margins and 23.8% revenue growth. CCL offers better value entry with a 30.7% margin of safety. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Carnival Corporation

CONSUMER CYCLICAL · TRAVEL SERVICES · USA

Carnival Corporation & plc is a British-American cruise operator, currently the world's largest travel leisure company, with a combined fleet of over 100 vessels across 10 cruise line brands.

Visit Website →

Lam Research Corp

TECHNOLOGY · SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS · USA

Lam Research Corporation is an American corporation that engages in the design, manufacture, marketing, and service of semiconductor processing equipment used in the fabrication of integrated circuits. Its products are used primarily in front-end wafer processing, which involves the steps that create the active components of semiconductor devices (transistors, capacitors) and their wiring (interconnects). The company also builds equipment for back-end wafer-level packaging (WLP), and for related manufacturing markets such as for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). The company is headquartered in Fremont, California, in the Silicon Valley.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?