WallStSmart

Lam Research Corp (LRCX)vsAltria Group (MO)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Lam Research Corp generates 2% more annual revenue ($20.56B vs $20.14B). MO leads profitability with a 34.5% profit margin vs 30.2%. LRCX appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.64. LRCX earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 74/100 (B).

LRCX

Strong Buy

74

out of 100

Grade: B

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

MO

Hold

47

out of 100

Grade: D+

Growth: 2.0Profit: 8.5Value: 7.3Quality: 6.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.86
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

LRCXFair Value (-2.4%)

Margin of Safety

-2.4%

Fair Value

$227.92

Current Price

$233.45

$5.53 premium

UndervaluedFair: $227.92Overvalued
MOSignificantly Overvalued (-135.3%)

Margin of Safety

-135.3%

Fair Value

$28.02

Current Price

$63.78

$35.76 premium

UndervaluedFair: $28.02Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

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

MO6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Profit MarginProfitability
34.5%10/10

Keeps 35 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
57.1%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 57.1%

Debt/EquityHealth
-7.3410/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Market CapQuality
$107.97B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

P/E RatioValuation
15.6x8/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Free Cash FlowQuality
$3.18B8/10

Generating 3.2B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

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

MO4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.654/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Return on EquityProfitability
0.0%3/10

ROE of 0.0% — below average capital efficiency

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-0.5%2/10

Revenue declined 0.5%

EPS GrowthGrowth
-62.9%2/10

Earnings declined 62.9%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

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.

Bull Case : MO

The strongest argument for MO centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Debt/Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 34.5% and operating margin at 57.1%.

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.

Bear Case : MO

The primary concerns for MO are PEG Ratio, Return on Equity, Revenue Growth.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

LRCX profiles as a growth stock while MO is a declining 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.

MO generates stronger free cash flow (3.2B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

LRCX scores higher overall (74/100 vs 47/100), backed by strong 30.2% margins and 22.1% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Hold" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

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

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.

Altria Group

CONSUMER DEFENSIVE · TOBACCO · USA

Altria Group, Inc. (previously known as Philip Morris Companies, Inc.) is an American corporation and one of the world's largest producers and marketers of tobacco, cigarettes and related products. It operates worldwide and is headquartered in unincorporated Henrico County, Virginia, just outside the city of Richmond.

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