WallStSmart

Howmet Aerospace Inc (HWM)vsLam Research Corp (LRCX)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Lam Research Corp generates 149% more annual revenue ($20.56B vs $8.25B). LRCX leads profitability with a 30.2% profit margin vs 18.3%. HWM appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.80. LRCX earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 74/100 (B).

HWM

Strong Buy

69

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 7.3Profit: 9.0Value: 4.7Quality: 5.0

LRCX

Strong Buy

74

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 10.0Value: 8.0Quality: 7.8
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 4.65
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

HWMSignificantly Overvalued (-58.8%)

Margin of Safety

-58.8%

Fair Value

$145.34

Current Price

$241.58

$96.24 premium

UndervaluedFair: $145.34Overvalued
LRCXFair Value (-2.4%)

Margin of Safety

-2.4%

Fair Value

$227.92

Current Price

$233.45

$5.53 premium

UndervaluedFair: $227.92Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

HWM5 strengths · Avg: 8.6/10
Return on EquityProfitability
30.4%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 30 in profit

Market CapQuality
$93.06B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

PEG RatioValuation
0.808/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Operating MarginProfitability
26.3%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 26.3%

EPS GrowthGrowth
20.3%8/10

Earnings expanding 20.3% YoY

LRCX6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Market CapQuality
$299.99B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
65.6%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 66 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
30.2%10/10

Keeps 30 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
33.9%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 33.9%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.6510/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Revenue GrowthGrowth
22.1%8/10

Revenue surging 22.1% year-over-year

Areas to Watch

HWM2 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Price/BookValuation
18.1x4/10

Trading at 18.1x book value

P/E RatioValuation
62.5x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

LRCX3 concerns · Avg: 2.7/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.644/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
49.0x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
28.8x2/10

Trading at 28.8x book value

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : HWM

The strongest argument for HWM centers on Return on Equity, Market Cap, PEG Ratio. Profitability is solid with margins at 18.3% and operating margin at 26.3%. Revenue growth of 14.6% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : LRCX

The strongest argument for LRCX centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 30.2% and operating margin at 33.9%. Revenue growth of 22.1% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : HWM

The primary concerns for HWM are Price/Book, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 62.5x leaves little room for execution misses.

Bear Case : LRCX

The primary concerns for LRCX are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. A P/E of 49.0x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

HWM profiles as a mature stock while LRCX is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

LRCX carries more volatility with a beta of 1.79 — expect wider price swings.

LRCX is growing revenue faster at 22.1% — sustainability is the question.

LRCX generates stronger free cash flow (1.3B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

LRCX scores higher overall (74/100 vs 69/100), backed by strong 30.2% margins and 22.1% revenue growth. 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.

Howmet Aerospace Inc

INDUSTRIALS · AEROSPACE & DEFENSE · USA

Howmet Aerospace Inc. is an American aerospace company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The company manufactures components for jet engines, fasteners and titanium structures for aerospace applications, and forged aluminum wheels for heavy trucks.

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.

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