WallStSmart

Lam Research Corp (LRCX)vsTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSM)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing generates 18426% more annual revenue ($3.81T vs $20.56B). TSM leads profitability with a 45.1% profit margin vs 30.2%. TSM appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.17. TSM earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 82/100 (A-).

LRCX

Strong Buy

74

out of 100

Grade: B

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

TSM

Exceptional Buy

82

out of 100

Grade: A-

Growth: 8.7Profit: 10.0Value: 9.3Quality: 9.0
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 3.86
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
TSMUndervalued (+20.3%)

Margin of Safety

+20.3%

Fair Value

$483.91

Current Price

$347.75

$136.16 discount

UndervaluedFair: $483.91Overvalued

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

TSM6 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Market CapQuality
$1.71T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
35.1%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 35 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
45.1%10/10

Keeps 45 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
53.9%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 53.9%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$388.17B10/10

Generating 388.2B in free cash flow

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
3.8610/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

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

TSM2 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
31.8x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
52.9x2/10

Trading at 52.9x 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 30.2% and operating margin at 33.9%. Revenue growth of 22.1% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : TSM

The strongest argument for TSM centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 45.1% and operating margin at 53.9%. Revenue growth of 20.5% demonstrates continued momentum.

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 : TSM

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

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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.

TSM generates stronger free cash flow (388.2B), providing more financial flexibility.

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

Bottom Line

TSM scores higher overall (82/100 vs 74/100), backed by strong 45.1% margins and 20.5% revenue growth. Both earn "Exceptional 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.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

TECHNOLOGY · SEMICONDUCTORS · USA

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Limited is a Taiwanese multinational semiconductor contract manufacturing and design company. It is one of Taiwan's largest companies, the world's most valuable semiconductor company, and the world's largest dedicated independent (pure-play) semiconductor foundry, with its headquarters and main operations located in the Hsinchu Science Park in Hsinchu, Taiwan. It is majority owned by foreign investors.

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