WallStSmart

Lam Research Corp (LRCX)vsMicrosoft Corporation (MSFT)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Microsoft Corporation generates 1328% more annual revenue ($331.84B vs $23.23B). MSFT leads profitability with a 40.3% profit margin vs 31.3%. LRCX appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.39. LRCX earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 78/100 (B+).

LRCX

Strong Buy

78

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 9.3Profit: 10.0Value: 5.3Quality: 8.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 5.40

MSFT

Strong Buy

72

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.7Profit: 9.5Value: 5.0Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.68
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

LRCXUndervalued (+15.2%)

Margin of Safety

+15.2%

Fair Value

$351.66

Current Price

$298.22

$53.44 discount

UndervaluedFair: $351.66Overvalued

Intrinsic value data unavailable for MSFT.

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

LRCX6 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Market CapQuality
$373.17B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
58.3%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 58 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
31.3%10/10

Keeps 31 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
37.4%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 37.4%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
30.0%10/10

Revenue surging 30.0% year-over-year

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
5.4010/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

MSFT6 strengths · Avg: 9.8/10
Market CapQuality
$3.68T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
30.2%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 30 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
40.3%10/10

Keeps 40 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
45.1%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 45.1%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$19.64B10/10

Generating 19.6B in free cash flow

Debt/EquityHealth
0.299/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Areas to Watch

LRCX2 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
51.9x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
29.9x2/10

Trading at 29.9x book value

MSFT3 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.604/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
27.4x4/10

Moderate valuation

Price/BookValuation
8.3x4/10

Trading at 8.3x book value

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 31.3% and operating margin at 37.4%. Revenue growth of 30.0% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : MSFT

The strongest argument for MSFT centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 40.3% and operating margin at 45.1%. Revenue growth of 17.7% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : LRCX

The primary concerns for LRCX are P/E Ratio, Price/Book. A P/E of 51.9x leaves little room for execution misses.

Bear Case : MSFT

The primary concerns for MSFT are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

LRCX carries more volatility with a beta of 1.86 — expect wider price swings.

LRCX is growing revenue faster at 30.0% — sustainability is the question.

MSFT generates stronger free cash flow (19.6B), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

LRCX scores higher overall (78/100 vs 72/100), backed by strong 31.3% margins and 30.0% 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.

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.

Microsoft Corporation

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company which produces computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services. Its best known software products are the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, the Microsoft Office suite, and the Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers. Its flagship hardware products are the Xbox video game consoles and the Microsoft Surface lineup of touchscreen personal computers. Microsoft ranked No. 21 in the 2020 Fortune 500 rankings of the largest United States corporations by total revenue; it was the world's largest software maker by revenue as of 2016. It is considered one of the Big Five companies in the U.S. information technology industry, along with Google, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook.

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