WallStSmart

Lam Research Corp (LRCX)vsServiceNow Inc (NOW)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Lam Research Corp generates 55% more annual revenue ($21.68B vs $13.96B). LRCX leads profitability with a 30.9% profit margin vs 12.6%. NOW appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.89. LRCX earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 74/100 (B).

LRCX

Strong Buy

74

out of 100

Grade: B

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

NOW

Buy

59

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 7.3Profit: 6.5Value: 6.7Quality: 3.8
Piotroski: 1/9Altman Z: 1.65
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

LRCXUndervalued (+16.5%)

Margin of Safety

+16.5%

Fair Value

$343.11

Current Price

$294.05

$49.06 discount

UndervaluedFair: $343.11Overvalued
NOWUndervalued (+85.2%)

Margin of Safety

+85.2%

Fair Value

$630.85

Current Price

$91.18

$539.67 discount

UndervaluedFair: $630.85Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

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

NOW4 strengths · Avg: 8.3/10
Market CapQuality
$96.52B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

PEG RatioValuation
0.898/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Revenue GrowthGrowth
22.1%8/10

Revenue surging 22.1% year-over-year

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.53B8/10

Generating 1.5B in free cash flow

Areas to Watch

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

NOW4 concerns · Avg: 3.8/10
Price/BookValuation
8.0x4/10

Trading at 8.0x book value

EPS GrowthGrowth
2.3%4/10

2.3% earnings growth

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.654/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
1/93/10

Weak financial health signals

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 30.9% and operating margin at 35.0%. Revenue growth of 23.8% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : NOW

The strongest argument for NOW centers on Market Cap, PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth. Revenue growth of 22.1% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.89 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

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.

Bear Case : NOW

The primary concerns for NOW are Price/Book, EPS Growth, Altman Z-Score. A P/E of 55.7x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

LRCX carries more volatility with a beta of 1.82 — expect wider price swings.

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

NOW generates stronger free cash flow (1.5B), providing more financial flexibility.

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

Bottom Line

LRCX scores higher overall (74/100 vs 59/100), backed by strong 30.9% margins and 23.8% revenue growth. NOW offers better value entry with a 85.2% margin of safety. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "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.

ServiceNow Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - APPLICATION · USA

ServiceNow is an American software company based in Santa Clara, California that develops a cloud computing platform to help companies manage digital workflows for enterprise operations.

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