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LRCX vs. MKSI: Lam Research vs. MKS Stock Comparison

How do Lam Research (LRCX) and MKS (MKSI) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Lam Research (LRCX) and MKS (MKSI) are both classified in the Semiconductor Materials & Equipment sub-industry within the broader Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.

Company profile comparison for Lam Research (LRCX) and MKS (MKSI)
Profile ItemLRCXMKSI
NameLam Research Corp.MKS Inc.
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyInformation Technology
GICS Industry GroupSemiconductors & Semiconductor EquipmentSemiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS IndustrySemiconductors & Semiconductor EquipmentSemiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS Sub-IndustrySemiconductor Materials & EquipmentSemiconductor Materials & Equipment
Market Capitalization250.84 billion USD13.00 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNasdaq
Listing DateMay 4, 1984March 30, 1999
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

LRCX
MKSI
GSPC
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. MKS (MKSI), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Lam Research (LRCX) and MKS (MKSI). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Lam Research (LRCX) and MKS (MKSI). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and MKS (MKSI)
MetricLRCXMKSI
Total Return (1Y)36.98%35.07%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)50.75%46.46%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)29.74%6.02%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

LRCX
MKSI
GSPC
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. MKS (MKSI), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Lam Research (LRCX) and MKS (MKSI). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and MKS (MKSI)
MetricLRCXMKSI
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)68.85%62.92%
Beta (5Y)2.022.12
Max Drawdown (5Y)-57.22%-66.57%
Avg. Volume (3M)9.82M1.36M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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LRCX and MKSI are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and MKS (MKSI)
MetricLRCXMKSI
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.470.49
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.690.70

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Lam Research (LRCX) at 70.12% clears its industry range for ROE, a sharper capital-efficiency signal than MKS (MKSI) at 20.46%, which is closer to a typical peer reading.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

70.12%

LRCX
70.12%
Max
52.82%
Q3
22.26%
Median
10.58%
Q1
1.29%
Min
-16.89%

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

20.46%

Max
52.82%
Q3
22.26%
MKSI
20.46%
Median
10.58%
Q1
1.29%
Min
-16.89%
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. MKS (MKSI): A comparison of their ROE against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

Lam Research (LRCX) at 32.34% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of MKS (MKSI) at 12.62%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

32.34%

Max
63.80%
LRCX
32.34%
Q3
28.36%
Median
11.44%
Q1
0.90%
Min
-37.77%

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

12.62%

Max
63.80%
Q3
28.36%
MKSI
12.62%
Median
11.44%
Q1
0.90%
Min
-37.77%
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. MKS (MKSI): A comparison of their net margin against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Lam Research (LRCX) at 39.95% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of MKS (MKSI) at 23.21%, which runs around its industry’s norm.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

39.95%

Max
58.66%
LRCX
39.95%
Q3
30.23%
Median
15.91%
Q1
7.54%
Min
-25.74%

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

23.21%

Max
58.66%
Q3
30.23%
MKSI
23.21%
Median
15.91%
Q1
7.54%
Min
-25.74%
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. MKS (MKSI): A comparison of their operating margin against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and MKS (MKSI)
MetricLRCXMKSI
ROE (TTM)70.12%20.46%
ROA (TTM)25.01%6.28%
Net Margin (TTM)32.34%12.62%
Operating Margin (TTM)39.95%23.21%
Gross Margin (TTM)51.05%47.26%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Lam Research (LRCX) at 26.02% sits in the top revenue growth quartile, while MKS (MKSI) at 9.62% is closer to the peer norm — faster top-line expansion for LRCX.

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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. MKS (MKSI): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

MKS (MKSI) at 55.52% sits in the top EPS growth quartile, while Lam Research (LRCX) at 38.80% is closer to the peer norm — faster per-share earnings growth for MKSI.

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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. MKS (MKSI): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and MKS (MKSI)
MetricLRCXMKSI
Revenue Growth (YoY)26.02%9.62%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)10.06%3.49%
EPS Growth (YoY)38.80%55.52%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)20.15%-7.71%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Lam Research (LRCX) at 2.48 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while MKS (MKSI) at 1.19 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for MKSI.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

2.48

Max
10.33
Q3
5.62
Median
3.33
LRCX
2.48
Q1
2.35
Min
1.03

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

1.19

Max
10.33
Q3
5.62
Median
3.33
Q1
2.35
MKSI
1.19
Min
1.03
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. MKS (MKSI): A comparison of their current ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Lam Research (LRCX) at 0.27 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while MKS (MKSI) at 1.22 uses more debt funding than most peers.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.27

Max
1.46
Q3
0.65
LRCX
0.27
Median
0.27
Q1
0.04
Min
0.00

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

1.22

Max
1.46
MKSI
1.22
Q3
0.65
Median
0.27
Q1
0.04
Min
0.00
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. MKS (MKSI): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and MKS (MKSI)
MetricLRCXMKSI
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.481.19
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.271.22
Net Debt / EBITDA-0.372.67

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Both Lam Research (LRCX) at 0.60% and MKS (MKSI) at 0.55% pay solid, industry-typical yields, sitting squarely within their peers’ usual range.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.60%

Max
1.37%
Q3
0.65%
LRCX
0.60%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.55%

Max
1.37%
Q3
0.65%
MKSI
0.55%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. MKS (MKSI): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Both Lam Research (LRCX) at 16.54% and MKS (MKSI) at 11.48% keep payout ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges — dividend policies that share earnings without consuming too much of them.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

16.54%

Max
49.64%
Q3
21.71%
LRCX
16.54%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

11.48%

Max
49.64%
Q3
21.71%
MKSI
11.48%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. MKS (MKSI): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and MKS (MKSI)
MetricLRCXMKSI
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.60%0.55%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)16.54%11.48%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

MKS (MKSI) at 22.75 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while Lam Research (LRCX) at 29.87 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for MKSI, though growth and earnings durability still matter.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

29.87

Max
110.34
Q3
66.81
Median
37.02
LRCX
29.87
Q1
23.96
Min
8.12

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

22.75

Max
110.34
Q3
66.81
Median
37.02
Q1
23.96
MKSI
22.75
Min
8.12
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. MKS (MKSI): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

MKS (MKSI) at 2.72 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Lam Research (LRCX) at 9.60 prices around its industry’s middle — MKSI costs less per dollar of sales, though read it alongside growth and margins.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

9.60

Max
21.42
Q3
12.27
LRCX
9.60
Median
5.76
Q1
2.73
Min
0.00

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

2.72

Max
21.42
Q3
12.27
Median
5.76
Q1
2.73
MKSI
2.72
Min
0.00
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. MKS (MKSI): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

MKS (MKSI) at 3.96 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while Lam Research (LRCX) at 18.00 prices above its benchmark range — LRCX looks rich relative to book.

LRCX

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

18.00

LRCX
18.00
Max
14.06
Q3
7.44
Median
4.29
Q1
2.30
Min
0.20

MKSI

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

3.96

Max
14.06
Q3
7.44
Median
4.29
MKSI
3.96
Q1
2.30
Min
0.20
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. MKS (MKSI): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and MKS (MKSI)
MetricLRCXMKSI
P/E Ratio (TTM)29.8722.75
P/S Ratio (TTM)9.602.72
P/B Ratio (MRQ)18.003.96
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)1.81%4.02%