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LRCX vs. TSM: Lam Research vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg Stock Comparison

How do Lam Research (LRCX) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) 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 Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) both belong to the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, though LRCX is classified under Semiconductor Materials & Equipment while TSM falls under Semiconductors.

Lam Research (LRCX) trades as ordinary local shares, while Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) trades as an ADR — compare with FX exposure, depositary-program fees, and dividend-withholding-tax differences in mind.

Company profile comparison for Lam Research (LRCX) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
Profile ItemLRCXTSM
NameLam Research Corp.Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. ADR
Country/RegionUnited StatesTaiwan
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyInformation Technology
GICS Industry GroupSemiconductors & Semiconductor EquipmentSemiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS IndustrySemiconductors & Semiconductor EquipmentSemiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS Sub-IndustrySemiconductor Materials & EquipmentSemiconductors
Market Capitalization250.84 billion USD1,947.21 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateMay 4, 1984October 9, 1997
Security TypeCommon StockADR

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

LRCX
TSM
GSPC
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM), 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 Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricLRCXTSM
Total Return (1Y)36.98%37.26%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)50.75%64.12%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)29.74%28.19%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

LRCX
TSM
GSPC
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM), 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 Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricLRCXTSM
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)68.85%41.69%
Beta (5Y)2.021.45
Max Drawdown (5Y)-57.22%-56.47%
Avg. Volume (3M)9.82M11.20M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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LRCX and TSM 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 Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricLRCXTSM
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.470.79
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.691.15

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both companies show strong equity returns, but Lam Research (LRCX) at 70.12% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 41.86% also sits in the top quartile.

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%

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

41.86%

Max
52.82%
TSM
41.86%
Q3
22.26%
Median
10.58%
Q1
1.29%
Min
-16.89%
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their ROE against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

For every dollar of sales, both Lam Research (LRCX) at 32.34% and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 51.12% retain more as net profit than most peers, landing in the top net margin quartile of their industries.

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%

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

51.12%

Max
63.80%
TSM
51.12%
Q3
28.36%
Median
11.44%
Q1
0.90%
Min
-37.77%
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their net margin against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Lam Research (LRCX) at 39.95% and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 58.66% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

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%

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

58.66%

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

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricLRCXTSM
ROE (TTM)70.12%41.86%
ROA (TTM)25.01%20.58%
Net Margin (TTM)32.34%51.12%
Operating Margin (TTM)39.95%58.66%
Gross Margin (TTM)51.05%65.85%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Both Lam Research (LRCX) at 26.02% and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 31.61% sit in the top peer quartile for revenue growth, so each is growing its top line faster than typical industry peers.

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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 46.41% 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 TSM.

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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricLRCXTSM
Revenue Growth (YoY)26.02%31.61%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)10.06%18.94%
EPS Growth (YoY)38.80%46.41%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)20.15%19.12%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Both Lam Research (LRCX) at 2.48 and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 2.51 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.

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

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

2.51

Max
10.33
Q3
5.62
Median
3.33
TSM
2.51
Q1
2.35
Min
1.03
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their current ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Both Lam Research (LRCX) at 0.27 and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 0.12 fund their balance sheets with roughly industry-typical debt-to-equity mixes.

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

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.12

Max
1.46
Q3
0.65
Median
0.27
TSM
0.12
Q1
0.04
Min
0.00
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): 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 Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricLRCXTSM
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.482.51
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.270.12
Net Debt / EBITDA-0.37-0.89

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Lam Research (LRCX) at 0.60% pays an industry-typical yield; Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 1.70% is above its entire peer range — the higher number, but one that calls for a look at payout sustainability before treating it as an advantage.

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%

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

1.70%

TSM
1.70%
Max
1.37%
Q3
0.65%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Lam Research (LRCX) at 16.54% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 24.46% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.

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%

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

24.46%

Max
49.64%
TSM
24.46%
Q3
21.71%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricLRCXTSM
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.60%1.70%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)16.54%24.46%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both Lam Research (LRCX) at 29.87 and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 24.33 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.

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

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

24.33

Max
110.34
Q3
66.81
Median
37.02
TSM
24.33
Q1
23.96
Min
8.12
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 0.39 sits in the cheaper P/S ratio quartile while Lam Research (LRCX) at 9.60 prices around its industry’s middle — TSM 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

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.39

Max
21.42
Q3
12.27
Median
5.76
Q1
2.73
TSM
0.39
Min
0.00
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Measured against book value, both Lam Research (LRCX) at 18.00 and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM) at 71.65 look expensive — each P/B ratio sits above its industry’s benchmark range.

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

TSM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

71.65

TSM
71.65
Max
14.06
Q3
7.44
Median
4.29
Q1
2.30
Min
0.20
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Lam Research (LRCX) vs. Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Lam Research (LRCX) and Taiwan Semiconductor Mfg (TSM)
MetricLRCXTSM
P/E Ratio (TTM)29.8724.33
P/S Ratio (TTM)9.600.39
P/B Ratio (MRQ)18.0071.65
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)1.81%61.78%