WallStSmart

Lam Research Corp (LRCX)vsNova Ltd (NVMI)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Lam Research Corp generates 2235% more annual revenue ($20.56B vs $880.58M). LRCX leads profitability with a 30.2% profit margin vs 29.4%. NVMI appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.46. LRCX earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 74/100 (B).

LRCX

Strong Buy

74

out of 100

Grade: B

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

NVMI

Strong Buy

68

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 7.3Profit: 9.0Value: 4.7Quality: 9.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 3.69
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
NVMISignificantly Overvalued (-40.5%)

Margin of Safety

-40.5%

Fair Value

$338.56

Current Price

$481.28

$142.72 premium

UndervaluedFair: $338.56Overvalued

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

NVMI5 strengths · Avg: 8.8/10
Altman Z-ScoreHealth
3.6910/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Return on EquityProfitability
23.1%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 23 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
29.4%9/10

Keeps 29 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
27.7%8/10

Strong operational efficiency at 27.7%

EPS GrowthGrowth
22.4%8/10

Earnings expanding 22.4% YoY

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

NVMI2 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Price/BookValuation
11.6x4/10

Trading at 11.6x book value

P/E RatioValuation
60.6x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

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 : NVMI

The strongest argument for NVMI centers on Altman Z-Score, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 29.4% and operating margin at 27.7%. Revenue growth of 14.3% 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 : NVMI

The primary concerns for NVMI are Price/Book, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 60.6x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

LRCX profiles as a growth stock while NVMI is a mature play — different risk/reward profiles.

NVMI carries more volatility with a beta of 1.83 — expect wider price swings.

LRCX is growing revenue faster at 22.1% — sustainability is the question.

LRCX generates stronger free cash flow (1.3B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

LRCX scores higher overall (74/100 vs 68/100), backed by strong 30.2% margins and 22.1% 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.

Nova Ltd

TECHNOLOGY · SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS · USA

Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd. designs, develops, produces, and sells process control systems used in semiconductor manufacturing in Israel, Taiwan, the United States, China, Korea, and internationally. The company is headquartered in Rehovot, Israel.

Visit Website →

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?