반도체 장비 업계 선도 기업인 Lam Research가 지속적인 AI 수요와 고급 패키징 성장(HBM, chiplet interconnect)을 배경으로 2026년 매출 가이던스를 상향조정했다.

Lam Research stock was trading near $300 on Nasdaq as of mid-September 2026, supported by an upgraded outlook for wafer-fabrication equipment spending driven by artificial intelligence demand. The company raised its 2026 guidance following a strong recent quarter, in which revenue grew 30 percent year-over-year, fueled by orders for advanced etch and deposition tools used in AI-oriented data center and cutting-edge logic manufacturing. Management guided gross margins into the low-50 percent range, signaling the company expects to sustain profitability above 50 percent while scaling shipments.

As of the September 11 close, Lam Research shares stood at $298.22, reflecting a year-to-date gain of roughly 76.5 percent from an opening price near $171.18. The stock's 52-week range spans $115.88 to $438.50, with a market capitalization of approximately $373.17 billion. Analyst consensus, compiled by MarketBeat, shows a Moderate Buy rating based on 1 strong buy, 26 buy, and 5 hold recommendations, with a consensus price target of $361.81—implying roughly 21.3 percent upside from recent levels.

Among semiconductor equipment peers, Lam Research has outpaced competitors this year. KLA shares have risen roughly 50 percent, while Applied Materials gained around 82 percent; Lam's approximately 85 percent year-to-date advance positions it as the stronger performer within AI-linked wafer-equipment stocks. The shares peaked near $438 in June 2026 before pulling back, underscoring both the strong run-up and investor caution on valuation and cyclicality.

Lam Research is trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 51.77 with a dividend yield of 0.44 percent, suggesting the market prices in sustained earnings growth but also leaving the stock vulnerable to disappointment. The company's next earnings release is scheduled for October 21, 2026, when investors will closely monitor whether order momentum, revenue growth, and margin guidance can hold amid potential swings in memory spending and broader semiconductor cycles.