WallStSmart

Duke Energy Corporation (DUK)vsLam Research Corp (LRCX)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Duke Energy Corporation generates 47% more annual revenue ($31.79B vs $21.68B). LRCX leads profitability with a 30.9% profit margin vs 15.6%. LRCX appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.49. LRCX earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 76/100 (B+).

DUK

Buy

59

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 4.0Profit: 7.0Value: 3.3Quality: 3.0
Piotroski: 3/9Altman Z: 0.52

LRCX

Strong Buy

76

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 7.3Profit: 10.0Value: 6.0Quality: 7.8
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 4.65
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

DUKSignificantly Overvalued (-64.7%)

Margin of Safety

-64.7%

Fair Value

$78.65

Current Price

$129.55

$50.90 premium

UndervaluedFair: $78.65Overvalued
LRCXUndervalued (+25.1%)

Margin of Safety

+25.1%

Fair Value

$344.32

Current Price

$257.86

$86.46 discount

UndervaluedFair: $344.32Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

DUK3 strengths · Avg: 8.3/10
Market CapQuality
$100.82B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Price/BookValuation
2.0x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

Operating MarginProfitability
28.1%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 28.1%

LRCX6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Market CapQuality
$311.08B10/10

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

Areas to Watch

DUK4 concerns · Avg: 2.5/10
Debt/EquityHealth
1.753/10

Elevated debt levels

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
3/93/10

Weak financial health signals

PEG RatioValuation
2.682/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

EPS GrowthGrowth
-2.2%2/10

Earnings declined 2.2%

LRCX2 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
46.9x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
31.8x2/10

Trading at 31.8x book value

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : DUK

The strongest argument for DUK centers on Market Cap, Price/Book, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 15.6% and operating margin at 28.1%.

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.

Bear Case : DUK

The primary concerns for DUK are Debt/Equity, Piotroski F-Score, PEG Ratio. Debt-to-equity of 1.75 is elevated, increasing financial risk.

Bear Case : LRCX

The primary concerns for LRCX are P/E Ratio, Price/Book. A P/E of 46.9x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

DUK profiles as a mature stock while LRCX is a growth 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 23.8% — sustainability is the question.

LRCX generates stronger free cash flow (810M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

LRCX scores higher overall (76/100 vs 59/100), backed by strong 30.9% margins and 23.8% revenue growth. 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.

Duke Energy Corporation

UTILITIES · UTILITIES - REGULATED ELECTRIC · USA

Duke Energy Corporation is an American electric power and natural gas holding company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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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.

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