Lam Research (NASDAQ:LRCX) Stock Price Up 2.8% After Better-Than-Expected Earnings

Shares of Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) rose 2.8% during mid-day trading on Wednesday after the company announced better than expected quarterly earnings. The company traded as high as $266.14 and last traded at $265.55. Approximately 9,488,484 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 16% from the average daily volume of 11,258,387 shares. The stock had previously closed at $258.37.

The semiconductor company reported $1.47 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.36 by $0.11. Lam Research had a net margin of 30.22% and a return on equity of 62.81%. The company had revenue of $5.84 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.70 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.04 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 23.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Lam Research has set its Q4 2026 guidance at 1.500-1.800 EPS.

Lam Research Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 4th were paid a dividend of $0.26 per share. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 4th. Lam Research’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 21.31%.

Key Lam Research News

Here are the key news stories impacting Lam Research this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Quarterly beat — Lam reported EPS $1.47 vs. estimates ~$1.36 and revenue $5.84B, with inventory levels improving, which investors view as confirmation of durable demand. Lam Research (NASDAQ:LRCX) Surprises With Q1 Sales, Inventory Levels Improve
• Positive Sentiment: Stronger guidance — Management set Q4 EPS guidance of $1.50–$1.80 and revenue guidance above consensus (midpoint cited ~ $6.6B by some reports), signaling continued strength into the next quarter. Lam Research Corporation Reports Financial Results for the Quarter Ended March 29, 2026
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst optimism — Stifel and other firms have raised price targets (Stifel to $300), reflecting confidence in Lam’s ability to capture AI-driven wafer fab investments. This Is Why Wall Street Firms Are Raising Price Target on Lam Research (LRCX)
• Positive Sentiment: Secular AI / capacity moves — Coverage notes Lam’s exposure to AI-driven capex and participation in projects like Tesla’s Terafab, supporting multi-year demand visibility. As Lam Research Joins the Tesla Terafab, Should You Buy, Sell, or Hold LRCX Stock?
• Neutral Sentiment: Broad coverage and confirmation — Multiple outlets (Zacks, Benzinga, Yahoo) summarize the beat and guidance, providing confirmation but no new incremental catalyst. Lam Research (LRCX) Q3 Earnings and Revenues Beat Estimates
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation and momentum risk — The stock’s rapid run-up leaves it exposed to a “buy the rumor, sell the news” pullback and looks richly valued on near-term multiples; some commentary warns of an earnings test after the rally. Lam Research faces earnings test after sharp rally

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $320.00 price objective (up from $265.00) on shares of Lam Research in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Citic Securities increased their price objective on shares of Lam Research from $165.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. KeyCorp reiterated a “sector weight” rating on shares of Lam Research in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $300.00 price objective on shares of Lam Research in a report on Wednesday, April 15th. Finally, Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Lam Research from $250.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 10th. Twenty-seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and eight have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Lam Research currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $247.26.

Insider Activity at Lam Research

In related news, CFO Douglas R. Bettinger sold 50,057 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $224.03, for a total value of $11,214,269.71. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 1,081,705 shares in the company, valued at approximately $242,334,371.15. This trade represents a 4.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, insider Ava Harter sold 4,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $232.50, for a total transaction of $930,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 54,705 shares in the company, valued at $12,718,912.50. The trade was a 6.81% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 130,886 shares of company stock worth $29,658,802. Company insiders own 0.31% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of LRCX. Brighton Jones LLC raised its holdings in Lam Research by 1,032.4% in the fourth quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 14,189 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $1,025,000 after buying an additional 12,936 shares during the period. Caxton Associates LLP purchased a new position in Lam Research in the first quarter valued at approximately $239,000. Gabelli Funds LLC acquired a new stake in Lam Research in the second quarter valued at approximately $253,000. NewEdge Advisors LLC grew its position in Lam Research by 2.7% in the second quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 100,528 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $9,785,000 after acquiring an additional 2,661 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Osterweis Capital Management Inc. grew its position in Lam Research by 5,206.7% in the second quarter. Osterweis Capital Management Inc. now owns 796 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $77,000 after acquiring an additional 781 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 84.61% of the company’s stock.

Lam Research Price Performance

The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 2.26 and a quick ratio of 1.61. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $233.80 and its 200-day simple moving average is $196.58. The company has a market cap of $331.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 54.42, a P/E/G ratio of 2.75 and a beta of 1.78.

About Lam Research

Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ: LRCX) is a global supplier of wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry. Founded in 1980 by David K. Lam and headquartered in Fremont, California, the company develops and manufactures systems used in multiple stages of semiconductor device production, including thin film deposition, plasma etch, wafer cleaning and related process modules and automation.

Lam’s product portfolio covers core process technologies employed by logic and memory manufacturers, with equipment designed to support advanced-node patterning, 3D NAND and other emerging device architectures.