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.
| Profile Item | LRCX | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Lam Research Corp. | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. ADR |
| Country/Region | United States | Taiwan |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry Group | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment |
| GICS Industry | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Semiconductor Materials & Equipment | Semiconductors |
| Market Capitalization | 250.84 billion USD | 1,947.21 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | Nasdaq | NYSE |
| Listing Date | May 4, 1984 | October 9, 1997 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | LRCX | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | LRCX | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 68.85% | 41.69% |
| Beta (5Y) | 2.02 | 1.45 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -57.22% | -56.47% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 9.82M | 11.20M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | LRCX | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.47 | 0.79 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.69 | 1.15 |
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%
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%
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%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | LRCX | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | LRCX | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| 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
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
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | LRCX | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.48 | 2.51 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 0.27 | 0.12 |
| 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%
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%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | LRCX | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| 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
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
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
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | LRCX | TSM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 29.87 | 24.33 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 9.60 | 0.39 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 18.00 | 71.65 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 1.81% | 61.78% |