Being an essential technology that powers many electronic devices, semiconductors will continue to play a key role in the development of digital technology. Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ: LRCX), a dominant player in wafer fabrication, is investing heavily in capacity expansion to meet the high demand created by the COVID-driven digital transformation.
Stock Peaks
The company’s stock set a new record this week, after staying on an upward spiral for several weeks. Interestingly, most of the gains came after it reported strong first-quarter results in October. Since the current tailwinds including the virus-driven demand growth have already been priced into the stock, it is likely to trade sideways in the near future.
Lam Research Corporation Q3 2021 Earnings Call Transcript
However, LRCX remains a compelling long-term investment that can fetch handsome returns for shareholders. Currently, the rating on the stock is moderate buy. Though Lam’s current dividend yield is not very attractive it has grown steadily in recent years, eliciting interest among income investors.
Unchallenged
The Fremont–based company, which provides wafer fabrication equipment to the semiconductor industry, has such well-established infrastructure and technology that it faces little competition from new players. So, the tech firm will continue to be a sought-after supplier for leading chipmakers both in the U.S and other key markets like China, which accounted for 37% of revenues in the most recent quarter.
The long-term view on the semiconductor industry is quite encouraging, with certain studies suggesting double-digit annual growth through 2030. Lam’s focus on advanced systems used by memory chipmakers bodes well for it, given the recent spike in the demand for memory products. Since a major chunk of enterprises is yet to fully embrace digital technologies, the positive demand trend is likely to continue in the foreseeable future. The bullish outlook indicates there would be enough space for other players like Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) also to achieve their growth goals comfortably.
“Foundry/Logic performance in the sub-5-nanometer era is being driven by both device architecture innovation and traditional area scaling. We are prioritizing technology development in three areas where we see the fastest growth and the greatest need, namely deposition and etch processes to support the efficient adoption of EUV patterning, new etch capabilities to enable the formation of critical transistor features, and new materials and deposition techniques to assist in RC management,” said Lam’s chief executive officer Tim Archer during his post-earnings interaction with analysts.
Record Numbers
The company’s quarterly earnings either topped or matched the market’s expectations every time over the last decade. In the first three months of fiscal 2022, adjusted earnings rose sharply to $8.36 per share and topped expectations. At $4.3 billion, revenues were up 35% year-over-year. The numbers hit record highs for the sixth time in a row. Lam’s second-quarter earnings release is scheduled for January 27.
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LRCX has gained about 10% in the past six months alone. The stock, which closed the last trading session slightly below the recent peak, traded higher on Wednesday afternoon.