WallStSmart

Lam Research Corp (LRCX)vsWestern Digital Corporation (WDC)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Lam Research Corp generates 84% more annual revenue ($21.68B vs $11.78B). WDC leads profitability with a 55.3% profit margin vs 30.9%. WDC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.58. WDC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 80/100 (A-).

LRCX

Strong Buy

72

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 10.0Value: 3.3Quality: 8.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 4.65

WDC

Exceptional Buy

80

out of 100

Grade: A-

Growth: 7.3Profit: 9.5Value: 5.7Quality: 6.5
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 1.51
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

LRCXOvervalued (-11.9%)

Margin of Safety

-11.9%

Fair Value

$329.99

Current Price

$303.28

$26.71 premium

UndervaluedFair: $329.99Overvalued

Intrinsic value data unavailable for WDC.

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

LRCX6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Market CapQuality
$486.37B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
63.4%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 63 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

WDC6 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Market CapQuality
$225.26B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
67.0%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 67 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
55.3%10/10

Keeps 55 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
37.0%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 37.0%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
45.5%10/10

Revenue surging 45.5% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
482.9%10/10

Earnings expanding 482.9% YoY

Areas to Watch

LRCX3 concerns · Avg: 2.7/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.274/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
73.5x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
35.8x2/10

Trading at 35.8x book value

WDC3 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
P/E RatioValuation
39.1x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.514/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Price/BookValuation
27.5x2/10

Trading at 27.5x 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 30.9% and operating margin at 35.0%. Revenue growth of 23.8% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : WDC

The strongest argument for WDC centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 55.3% and operating margin at 37.0%. Revenue growth of 45.5% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : LRCX

The primary concerns for LRCX are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book. A P/E of 73.5x leaves little room for execution misses.

Bear Case : WDC

The primary concerns for WDC are P/E Ratio, Altman Z-Score, Price/Book.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

WDC carries more volatility with a beta of 2.20 — expect wider price swings.

WDC is growing revenue faster at 45.5% — sustainability is the question.

WDC generates stronger free cash flow (978M), providing more financial flexibility.

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

Bottom Line

WDC scores higher overall (80/100 vs 72/100), backed by strong 55.3% margins and 45.5% 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.

Western Digital Corporation

TECHNOLOGY · COMPUTER HARDWARE · USA

Western Digital Corporation (WDC, commonly known as Western Digital or WD) is an American computer hard disk drive manufacturer and data storage company, headquartered in San Jose, California. It designs, manufactures and sells data technology products, including storage devices, data center systems and cloud storage services.

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