The MoatWide moat

Lam Research (LRCX) — moat facet

Lam's lead in the steps that multiply as chips stack, locked in by qualification and paid again by service, earned a 70.7% return on capital in fiscal 2026.

Lam's moat is the combination of a technical lead in the steps that multiply as chips are stacked and shrunk, and a buying process that locks each lead in for years. Lam supplies deposition, etch and clean equipment, where its 10-K claims "leadership and expertise"1. Once a chipmaker qualifies a tool for a step on a node, it "generally maintains that selection" for that node2. And every tool in the field then buys spares, service and upgrades: customer support revenue was $8,347.2 million in fiscal 20263.

Return on invested capital (%)13.7FY201541.8FY201837.6FY202056.0FY202242.0FY202462.6FY202570.7FY2026Moat Explorer calculation from SEC EDGAR XBRL; early years understated
Far above a 10% hurdle every year since FY2016.

The economic result is unusual for a capital equipment maker. Return on invested capital, computed from EDGAR, was 70.7% in fiscal 2026 and has been above 37% in every year since fiscal 20184. The gross margin was 50.5%5, and in the June 2026 quarter it was the highest in twenty years6.

The return figure needs a warning. The calculation does not deduct the short-term investments Lam held until fiscal 2022, so the early years are understated7, and buybacks have shrunk the capital base, which flatters the recent years. Against an assumed 10% cost of capital, the spread is wide on any reading.

Three things limit the moat. The market is cyclical: revenue fell 14.5% in fiscal 20248. Four customers took 55% of revenue in fiscal 2026910. And export controls have closed part of China, 42% of revenue in fiscal 2024 and 26% in the June 2026 quarter1112, to Lam's tools.

The filing is explicit that the moat costs money in bad years too: "Even during periods of reduced revenues, we must continue to invest in R&D" and maintain worldwide customer service, it says13. Lam did that in fiscal 2024, when revenue fell 14.5% and research spending still rose to $1,902.4 million1415. A company that cut research in a downturn would lose the next node's qualifications; Lam has not.

The moat also depends on one person less than it might. Tim Archer has led the company since December 201816, and the creation of a chief operating officer role in March 202617 gives Lam a second executive running global products and services.

The moat is wide and, on current evidence, widening: Lam expects to outgrow wafer fab equipment spending for a third straight year18. It would be falsified by a year in which Lam's revenue grows slower than that market while its return on capital falls back below 40%.

Moat trajectory: Widening

Third straight year ahead of WFE; margins at a 20-year high.

The number that tests this moat
Moat Explorer calc
Return on invested capital vs 10% hurdle
70.7% (FY2026), from 62.6% in FY2025

A spread far above the cost of capital; a fall below 40% with slower growth than WFE would falsify the moat.

How it's calculated: NOPAT (operating income x (1 - effective tax rate)) divided by average operating invested capital (total assets less current liabilities less cash), from SEC EDGAR XBRL via tools_roic_edgar.py for CIK 707549. Short-term investments held until FY2022 are not deducted, so earlier years are understated.
Source: Moat Explorer ROIC calculation from EDGAR ↗
Aspects of the moat
DIG DEEPER 01
Leadership in Etch and Deposition
Lam's tools do the steps that multiply as chips are stacked and shrunk, which is why its market grows faster than the number of wafers.
DIG DEEPER 02
Qualified Once, Kept for the Node
A chipmaker that qualifies a Lam tool for a node generally keeps it for that node, so the moat is won at each new node and then collected for years.
DIG DEEPER 03
The Installed Base Pays Twice
Each Lam chamber keeps earning through spares, service and upgrades, and that business has grown faster than new-tool sales since fiscal 2019.
DIG DEEPER 04
The Capital Machine
Lam earned a 70.7% return on invested capital in fiscal 2026 and gave shareholders more than its free cash flow.
References
  1. ReportedLam supplies deposition, etch and clean equipment, where its 10-K claims "leadership and expertise".
    Lam Research Form 10-K for fiscal 2026 (year ended 28 June 2026) - Item 1 business: products, strategy, competitors, customers and employees. — FY2026 · publ. 7 August 2026 · source ↗
  2. ReportedOnce a chipmaker qualifies a tool for a step on a node, it "generally maintains that selection" for that node.
    Lam Research Form 10-K for fiscal 2026 (year ended 28 June 2026) - Item 1 business: products, strategy, competitors, customers and employees. — FY2026 · publ. 7 August 2026 · source ↗
  3. ReportedAnd every tool in the field then buys spares, service and upgrades: customer support revenue was $8,347.2 million in fiscal 2026.
    Lam Research Form 10-K for fiscal 2026 (year ended 28 June 2026) - Item 7 MD&A and revenue notes: revenue by type, region and end market, and margins. — FY2026 · publ. 7 August 2026 · source ↗
  4. Moat Explorer calcReturn on invested capital, computed from EDGAR, was 70.7% in fiscal 2026 and has been above 37% in every year since fiscal 2018.
    Moat Explorer calculation, tools_roic_edgar.py on SEC EDGAR XBRL for CIK 707549: return on invested capital 13.7% (FY2015), 20.4%, 30.7%, 41.8%, 40.9%, 37.6%, 55.6%, 56.0%, 49.7%, 42.0%, 62.6%, 70.7% (FY2026). FY2026 inputs: operating income 8,199.8; tax 997.1 on pretax 8,262.5 (12.1%); invested capital 12,013.3 (assets 23,529.7 - current liabilities 5,937.2 - cash 5,579.2) against 8,386.2 in FY2025. — FY2015-FY2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: NOPAT (operating income x (1 - effective tax rate)) divided by average operating invested capital (total assets less current liabilities less cash), from SEC EDGAR XBRL via tools_roic_edgar.py. Short-term investments held until FY2022 are not deducted, so FY2015-FY2021 are understated.
  5. ReportedThe gross margin was 50.5%, and in the June 2026 quarter it was the highest in twenty years.
    Lam Research fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - revenue, margins, revenue by type and region, cash flow and September 2026 quarter guidance. — Q4 FY2026 · publ. 29 July 2026 · source ↗
  6. ReportedThe gross margin was 50.5%, and in the June 2026 quarter it was the highest in twenty years.
    The Motley Fool via Yahoo Finance, Lam Research Q4 fiscal 2026 earnings call transcript - installed base, end-market mix of systems revenue, WFE outlook, served market, customer support, China and margin targets - wafer fab equipment outlook, served market, margins and growth targets. — Q4 FY2026 · publ. 29 July 2026 · source ↗
  7. Moat Explorer calcThe calculation does not deduct the short-term investments Lam held until fiscal 2022, so the early years are understated, and buybacks have shrunk the capital base, which flatters the recent years.
    Moat Explorer calculation, tools_roic_edgar.py on SEC EDGAR XBRL for CIK 707549: return on invested capital 13.7% (FY2015), 20.4%, 30.7%, 41.8%, 40.9%, 37.6%, 55.6%, 56.0%, 49.7%, 42.0%, 62.6%, 70.7% (FY2026). FY2026 inputs: operating income 8,199.8; tax 997.1 on pretax 8,262.5 (12.1%); invested capital 12,013.3 (assets 23,529.7 - current liabilities 5,937.2 - cash 5,579.2) against 8,386.2 in FY2025. — FY2015-FY2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: NOPAT (operating income x (1 - effective tax rate)) divided by average operating invested capital (total assets less current liabilities less cash), from SEC EDGAR XBRL via tools_roic_edgar.py. Short-term investments held until FY2022 are not deducted, so FY2015-FY2021 are understated.
  8. Moat Explorer calcThe market is cyclical: revenue fell 14.5% in fiscal 2024.
    Moat Explorer calculation from Lam Research's reported figures ($ millions unless stated; fiscal years end in late June). Revenue growth: FY2019 9,653.6 / 11,077.0 - 1 = -12.9%; FY2020 10,044.7 / 9,653.6 - 1 = +4.1%; FY2021 14,626.2 / 10,044.7 - 1 = +45.6%; FY2022 17,227.0 / 14,626.2 - 1 = +17.8%; FY2023 17,428.5 / 17,227.0 - 1 = +1.2%; FY2024 14,905.4 / 17,428.5 - 1 = -14.5%; FY2025 18,435.6 / 14,905.4 - 1 = +23.7%; revenue FY2015-FY2026 23,232.7 / 5,259.3 = 4.4 times. Q4 FY2026 revenue 6,722.2 / 5,171.4 - 1 = +30.0%; Q4 systems 4,249.8 / 3,437.6 - 1 = +23.6%; Q4 customer support 2,472.4 / 1,733.8 - 1 = +42.6%; FY2025 quarterly systems 3,437.6 / 2,392.7 - 1 = +43.7%. Revenue by type: systems FY2023 10,695.9 / 11,322.3 - 1 = -5.5%; FY2024 8,921.6 / 10,695.9 - 1 = -16.6%; customer support FY2023 6,732.6 / 5,904.8 - 1 = +14.0%; FY2024 5,983.7 / 6,732.6 - 1 = -11.1%, a fall of 748.9; FY2021 growth systems +47.4%, support +42.2%; FY2022 systems +16.0%, support +21.5%; FY2025 systems +28.8%, support +16.1%; FY2026 systems +29.5%, support +20.2%; support less systems growth -5.2, +5.5, +19.5, +5.5, -12.7, -9.3 points (FY2021-FY2026). Multiples FY2019-FY2026: customer support 8,347.2 / 3,202.5 = 2.6 times (14.7% a year); systems 14,885.5 / 6,451.1 = 2.3 times (12.7% a year). Cumulative FY2019-FY2026 customer support 45,396.0 of 125,553.6 = 36%. Customer support share of revenue: 3,202.5 / 9,653.6 = 33.2% (FY2019); 3,419.6 / 10,044.7 = 34.0%; 4,861.3 / 14,626.2 = 33.2%; 5,904.8 / 17,227.0 = 34.3%; 6,732.6 / 17,428.5 = 38.6%; 5,983.7 / 14,905.4 = 40.1% (FY2024); 6,944.3 / 18,435.6 = 37.7%; 8,347.2 / 23,232.7 = 35.9% (FY2026). Systems share 65.7%, 61.4%, 59.9%, 62.3%, 64.1% (FY2022-FY2026). Quarterly FY2026 support share 1,776.6 / 5,324.2 = 33.4%; 1,987.3 / 5,344.8 = 37.2%; 2,110.9 / 5,841.5 = 36.1%; 2,472.4 / 6,722.2 = 36.8%. Research and development 2,375.9 / 23,232.7 = 10.2% (FY2026); 825.2 / 5,259.3 = 15.7% (FY2015); 1,033.7 / 8,013.6 = 12.9% (FY2017); 1,191.3 / 9,653.6 = 12.3% (FY2019); 1,493.4 / 14,626.2 = 10.2% (FY2021); 1,727.2 / 17,428.5 = 9.9% (FY2023); 1,902.4 / 14,905.4 = 12.8% (FY2024); 2,375.9 / 825.2 = 2.9 times. Gross margin 2,284.3 / 5,259.3 = 43.4% (FY2015); 3,603.4 / 8,013.6 = 45.0% (FY2017); 4,358.5 / 9,653.6 = 45.1% (FY2019); 6,805.3 / 14,626.2 = 46.5% (FY2021); 7,776.9 / 17,428.5 = 44.6% (FY2023); 7,052.8 / 14,905.4 = 47.3% (FY2024). Operating margin 788.0 / 5,259.3 = 15.0% (FY2015); 1,902.1 / 8,013.6 = 23.7%; 2,464.7 / 9,653.6 = 25.5%; 4,482.0 / 14,626.2 = 30.6%; 5,174.9 / 17,428.5 = 29.7%; 4,263.9 / 14,905.4 = 28.6% (FY2024). Segment gross margin 12,120.0 / 23,232.7 = 52.2%. Region FY2026: China 7,859.8 / 23,232.7 = 33.8%; Taiwan 5,222.9 / 23,232.7 = 22.5%; Korea 4,505.3 / 23,232.7 = 19.4%; Japan 2,171.1 / 23,232.7 = 9.3%; Taiwan 5,222.9 / 3,445.2 - 1 = +51.6%; Korea 2,874.0 / 4,037.5 - 1 = -28.8%. China share 1,040.0 / 5,885.9 = 17.7% (FY2016); 1,784.4 / 11,077.0 = 16.1% (FY2018); 3,083.9 / 10,044.7 = 30.7% (FY2020); 5,137.9 / 14,626.2 = 35.1% (FY2021); 4,462.7 / 17,428.5 = 25.6% (FY2023). China revenue FY2022-FY2023 5,411.5 - 4,462.7 = 948.8 lower. Foundry plus memory 54 + 39 = 93%. Long-lived assets in the United States 2,003.4 / 3,353.8 = 60%. Customer concentration (percentages of total revenue): FY2026 16 + 15 + 12 + 12 = 55%; FY2025 17 + 15 = 32%; FY2024 17%; FY2023 22 + 16 = 38%; FY2022 21 + 12 + 12 + 11 = 56%; FY2021 25 + 12 + 10 = 47%; FY2020 24 + 14 + 10 + 10 = 58%; FY2019 15 + 14 + 14 + 14 = 57%; FY2018 25 + 14 + 14 + 13 + 12 = 78%. Accounts receivable June 2026 20 + 16 + 15 + 11 + 10 = 72%. Deferred revenue within a year 1,798.1 / 2,434.0 = 74%; deferred revenue against Q4 revenue 2,434.0 / 6,722.2 = 36%. Cash and capital: free cash flow 5,857.7 - 966.4 = 4,891.3 (FY2026); 6,173.3 - 759.2 = 5,414.1 (FY2025); 4,652.3 - 396.7 = 4,255.6 (FY2024). Shareholder returns 3,851.3 + 1,270.6 = 5,121.9, 5,121.9 / 4,891.3 = 104.7%; FY2025 (3,422.3 + 1,149.5) / 5,414.1 = 84.4%; FY2024 (2,842.8 + 1,018.9) / 4,255.6 = 90.7%. Dividends 1,270.6 / 7,265.4 = 17.5% of net income; 1,270.6 / 4,891.3 = 26% of free cash flow. Net cash 5,579.2 - 3,722.1 = 1,857.1 (FY2026); 6,390.7 - 4,469.4 = 1,921.3 (FY2025); 5,847.9 - 4,967.4 = 880.5 (FY2024). Treasury stock 31,597.9 / retained earnings 34,950.3 = 0.90. Per share: diluted shares 1,261.1 / 1,770.7 - 1 = -28.8% (FY2015 177.07M pre-split x 10); EPS 5.76 / 0.37 = 15.6 times; net income 7,265.4 / 655.6 = 11.1 times. Additional: Taiwan share 1,671.8 / 14,905.4 = 11.2% (FY2024), 3,477.9 / 17,428.5 = 20.0% (FY2023); Korea 2,205.3 / 3,832.8 - 1 = -42% (FY2019); research growth 2,096.4 / 1,902.4 - 1 = +10.2% (FY2025), 2,375.9 / 2,096.4 - 1 = +13.3% (FY2026); research staff 23,300 x 26% = more than 6,000; United States and Southeast Asia (1,528.9 + 1,245.9) / 23,232.7 = 12.0%; Southeast Asia 1,245.9 / 837.2 - 1 = +48.8%; systems FY2020 6,625.1 / 6,451.1 - 1 = +2.7%, support 3,419.6 / 3,202.5 - 1 = +6.8%; FY2022 to FY2025 support 6,944.3 / 5,904.8 - 1 = +17.6%, systems 11,491.3 / 11,322.3 - 1 = +1.5%; support March 2025 quarter 1,684.9 / 4,720.2 = 35.7%, 2,472.4 / 1,684.9 - 1 = +46.7%; support Q1 to Q4 FY2026 2,472.4 / 1,776.6 - 1 = +39.2%; deferred revenue 2,681 - 2,434 = 247 lower, 2,681 / 5,171.4 = 52% of the June 2025 quarter revenue; receivables 5,339.7 / 6,722.2 = 79%; return on equity 5,358.2 / ((8,539.5 + 9,861.6) / 2) = 58.2% (FY2025), 7,265.4 / ((9,861.6 + 12,470.9) / 2) = 65.1% (FY2026); market value 57.32 / 101.26 - 1 = -43% (calendar 2022); price target 373.13 / 307.16 - 1 = +21%; revenue 23,232.7 / 4,607.3 = 5.0 times (FY2014-FY2026); lab plan 3,000 / 5 = 600 a year. Further: Europe 698.7 / 23,232.7 = 3.0%; China 7,859.8 / 623.4 = 12.6 times (FY2014-FY2026); Korea 4,505.3 / 1,127.4 = 4.0 times; Taiwan 5,222.9 / 1,049.2 = 5.0 times; dividends declared per share 0.92 / 0.80 - 1 = +15%, 1.04 / 0.92 - 1 = +13%; diluted shares (1,261.1 / 1,319.9) ^ (1/2) - 1 = -2.3% a year; buybacks FY2015-FY2026 573.2 + 158.4 + 811.7 + 2,653.2 + 3,780.6 + 1,369.6 + 2,697.7 + 3,865.7 + 2,017.0 + 2,842.8 + 3,422.3 + 3,851.3 = 28,043.5; dividends paid 116.1 + 190.4 + 243.5 + 307.6 + 678.3 + 656.8 + 727.0 + 815.3 + 907.9 + 1,018.9 + 1,149.5 + 1,270.6 = 8,081.9; net income FY2015-FY2026 = 39,567.4; (28,043.5 + 8,081.9) / 39,567.4 = 91%; customer support fell only in FY2024 among FY2020-FY2026, systems fell in FY2023 and FY2024. Cash conversion: operating cash flow / net income 6,173.3 / 5,358.2 = 115% (FY2025); 5,857.7 / 7,265.4 = 81% (FY2026). Valuation: price 307.16 / 52-week high 438.50 - 1 = -30.0%; free cash flow yield 4,891.3 / 384,360 = 1.3%; P/E 384,360 / 7,265.4 = 52.9; P/S 384,360 / 23,232.7 = 16.5 - growth rates, margins and revenue by type. — FY2015-FY2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in Lam Research's Forms 10-K, quarterly results releases, XBRL filings and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  9. ReportedFour customers took 55% of revenue in fiscal 2026.
    Lam Research Form 10-K for fiscal 2026 (year ended 28 June 2026) - Item 7 MD&A and revenue notes: revenue by type, region and end market, and margins. — FY2026 · publ. 7 August 2026 · source ↗
  10. Moat Explorer calcFour customers took 55% of revenue in fiscal 2026.
    Moat Explorer calculation from Lam Research's reported figures ($ millions unless stated; fiscal years end in late June). Revenue growth: FY2019 9,653.6 / 11,077.0 - 1 = -12.9%; FY2020 10,044.7 / 9,653.6 - 1 = +4.1%; FY2021 14,626.2 / 10,044.7 - 1 = +45.6%; FY2022 17,227.0 / 14,626.2 - 1 = +17.8%; FY2023 17,428.5 / 17,227.0 - 1 = +1.2%; FY2024 14,905.4 / 17,428.5 - 1 = -14.5%; FY2025 18,435.6 / 14,905.4 - 1 = +23.7%; revenue FY2015-FY2026 23,232.7 / 5,259.3 = 4.4 times. Q4 FY2026 revenue 6,722.2 / 5,171.4 - 1 = +30.0%; Q4 systems 4,249.8 / 3,437.6 - 1 = +23.6%; Q4 customer support 2,472.4 / 1,733.8 - 1 = +42.6%; FY2025 quarterly systems 3,437.6 / 2,392.7 - 1 = +43.7%. Revenue by type: systems FY2023 10,695.9 / 11,322.3 - 1 = -5.5%; FY2024 8,921.6 / 10,695.9 - 1 = -16.6%; customer support FY2023 6,732.6 / 5,904.8 - 1 = +14.0%; FY2024 5,983.7 / 6,732.6 - 1 = -11.1%, a fall of 748.9; FY2021 growth systems +47.4%, support +42.2%; FY2022 systems +16.0%, support +21.5%; FY2025 systems +28.8%, support +16.1%; FY2026 systems +29.5%, support +20.2%; support less systems growth -5.2, +5.5, +19.5, +5.5, -12.7, -9.3 points (FY2021-FY2026). Multiples FY2019-FY2026: customer support 8,347.2 / 3,202.5 = 2.6 times (14.7% a year); systems 14,885.5 / 6,451.1 = 2.3 times (12.7% a year). Cumulative FY2019-FY2026 customer support 45,396.0 of 125,553.6 = 36%. Customer support share of revenue: 3,202.5 / 9,653.6 = 33.2% (FY2019); 3,419.6 / 10,044.7 = 34.0%; 4,861.3 / 14,626.2 = 33.2%; 5,904.8 / 17,227.0 = 34.3%; 6,732.6 / 17,428.5 = 38.6%; 5,983.7 / 14,905.4 = 40.1% (FY2024); 6,944.3 / 18,435.6 = 37.7%; 8,347.2 / 23,232.7 = 35.9% (FY2026). Systems share 65.7%, 61.4%, 59.9%, 62.3%, 64.1% (FY2022-FY2026). Quarterly FY2026 support share 1,776.6 / 5,324.2 = 33.4%; 1,987.3 / 5,344.8 = 37.2%; 2,110.9 / 5,841.5 = 36.1%; 2,472.4 / 6,722.2 = 36.8%. Research and development 2,375.9 / 23,232.7 = 10.2% (FY2026); 825.2 / 5,259.3 = 15.7% (FY2015); 1,033.7 / 8,013.6 = 12.9% (FY2017); 1,191.3 / 9,653.6 = 12.3% (FY2019); 1,493.4 / 14,626.2 = 10.2% (FY2021); 1,727.2 / 17,428.5 = 9.9% (FY2023); 1,902.4 / 14,905.4 = 12.8% (FY2024); 2,375.9 / 825.2 = 2.9 times. Gross margin 2,284.3 / 5,259.3 = 43.4% (FY2015); 3,603.4 / 8,013.6 = 45.0% (FY2017); 4,358.5 / 9,653.6 = 45.1% (FY2019); 6,805.3 / 14,626.2 = 46.5% (FY2021); 7,776.9 / 17,428.5 = 44.6% (FY2023); 7,052.8 / 14,905.4 = 47.3% (FY2024). Operating margin 788.0 / 5,259.3 = 15.0% (FY2015); 1,902.1 / 8,013.6 = 23.7%; 2,464.7 / 9,653.6 = 25.5%; 4,482.0 / 14,626.2 = 30.6%; 5,174.9 / 17,428.5 = 29.7%; 4,263.9 / 14,905.4 = 28.6% (FY2024). Segment gross margin 12,120.0 / 23,232.7 = 52.2%. Region FY2026: China 7,859.8 / 23,232.7 = 33.8%; Taiwan 5,222.9 / 23,232.7 = 22.5%; Korea 4,505.3 / 23,232.7 = 19.4%; Japan 2,171.1 / 23,232.7 = 9.3%; Taiwan 5,222.9 / 3,445.2 - 1 = +51.6%; Korea 2,874.0 / 4,037.5 - 1 = -28.8%. China share 1,040.0 / 5,885.9 = 17.7% (FY2016); 1,784.4 / 11,077.0 = 16.1% (FY2018); 3,083.9 / 10,044.7 = 30.7% (FY2020); 5,137.9 / 14,626.2 = 35.1% (FY2021); 4,462.7 / 17,428.5 = 25.6% (FY2023). China revenue FY2022-FY2023 5,411.5 - 4,462.7 = 948.8 lower. Foundry plus memory 54 + 39 = 93%. Long-lived assets in the United States 2,003.4 / 3,353.8 = 60%. Customer concentration (percentages of total revenue): FY2026 16 + 15 + 12 + 12 = 55%; FY2025 17 + 15 = 32%; FY2024 17%; FY2023 22 + 16 = 38%; FY2022 21 + 12 + 12 + 11 = 56%; FY2021 25 + 12 + 10 = 47%; FY2020 24 + 14 + 10 + 10 = 58%; FY2019 15 + 14 + 14 + 14 = 57%; FY2018 25 + 14 + 14 + 13 + 12 = 78%. Accounts receivable June 2026 20 + 16 + 15 + 11 + 10 = 72%. Deferred revenue within a year 1,798.1 / 2,434.0 = 74%; deferred revenue against Q4 revenue 2,434.0 / 6,722.2 = 36%. Cash and capital: free cash flow 5,857.7 - 966.4 = 4,891.3 (FY2026); 6,173.3 - 759.2 = 5,414.1 (FY2025); 4,652.3 - 396.7 = 4,255.6 (FY2024). Shareholder returns 3,851.3 + 1,270.6 = 5,121.9, 5,121.9 / 4,891.3 = 104.7%; FY2025 (3,422.3 + 1,149.5) / 5,414.1 = 84.4%; FY2024 (2,842.8 + 1,018.9) / 4,255.6 = 90.7%. Dividends 1,270.6 / 7,265.4 = 17.5% of net income; 1,270.6 / 4,891.3 = 26% of free cash flow. Net cash 5,579.2 - 3,722.1 = 1,857.1 (FY2026); 6,390.7 - 4,469.4 = 1,921.3 (FY2025); 5,847.9 - 4,967.4 = 880.5 (FY2024). Treasury stock 31,597.9 / retained earnings 34,950.3 = 0.90. Per share: diluted shares 1,261.1 / 1,770.7 - 1 = -28.8% (FY2015 177.07M pre-split x 10); EPS 5.76 / 0.37 = 15.6 times; net income 7,265.4 / 655.6 = 11.1 times. Additional: Taiwan share 1,671.8 / 14,905.4 = 11.2% (FY2024), 3,477.9 / 17,428.5 = 20.0% (FY2023); Korea 2,205.3 / 3,832.8 - 1 = -42% (FY2019); research growth 2,096.4 / 1,902.4 - 1 = +10.2% (FY2025), 2,375.9 / 2,096.4 - 1 = +13.3% (FY2026); research staff 23,300 x 26% = more than 6,000; United States and Southeast Asia (1,528.9 + 1,245.9) / 23,232.7 = 12.0%; Southeast Asia 1,245.9 / 837.2 - 1 = +48.8%; systems FY2020 6,625.1 / 6,451.1 - 1 = +2.7%, support 3,419.6 / 3,202.5 - 1 = +6.8%; FY2022 to FY2025 support 6,944.3 / 5,904.8 - 1 = +17.6%, systems 11,491.3 / 11,322.3 - 1 = +1.5%; support March 2025 quarter 1,684.9 / 4,720.2 = 35.7%, 2,472.4 / 1,684.9 - 1 = +46.7%; support Q1 to Q4 FY2026 2,472.4 / 1,776.6 - 1 = +39.2%; deferred revenue 2,681 - 2,434 = 247 lower, 2,681 / 5,171.4 = 52% of the June 2025 quarter revenue; receivables 5,339.7 / 6,722.2 = 79%; return on equity 5,358.2 / ((8,539.5 + 9,861.6) / 2) = 58.2% (FY2025), 7,265.4 / ((9,861.6 + 12,470.9) / 2) = 65.1% (FY2026); market value 57.32 / 101.26 - 1 = -43% (calendar 2022); price target 373.13 / 307.16 - 1 = +21%; revenue 23,232.7 / 4,607.3 = 5.0 times (FY2014-FY2026); lab plan 3,000 / 5 = 600 a year. Further: Europe 698.7 / 23,232.7 = 3.0%; China 7,859.8 / 623.4 = 12.6 times (FY2014-FY2026); Korea 4,505.3 / 1,127.4 = 4.0 times; Taiwan 5,222.9 / 1,049.2 = 5.0 times; dividends declared per share 0.92 / 0.80 - 1 = +15%, 1.04 / 0.92 - 1 = +13%; diluted shares (1,261.1 / 1,319.9) ^ (1/2) - 1 = -2.3% a year; buybacks FY2015-FY2026 573.2 + 158.4 + 811.7 + 2,653.2 + 3,780.6 + 1,369.6 + 2,697.7 + 3,865.7 + 2,017.0 + 2,842.8 + 3,422.3 + 3,851.3 = 28,043.5; dividends paid 116.1 + 190.4 + 243.5 + 307.6 + 678.3 + 656.8 + 727.0 + 815.3 + 907.9 + 1,018.9 + 1,149.5 + 1,270.6 = 8,081.9; net income FY2015-FY2026 = 39,567.4; (28,043.5 + 8,081.9) / 39,567.4 = 91%; customer support fell only in FY2024 among FY2020-FY2026, systems fell in FY2023 and FY2024. Cash conversion: operating cash flow / net income 6,173.3 / 5,358.2 = 115% (FY2025); 5,857.7 / 7,265.4 = 81% (FY2026). Valuation: price 307.16 / 52-week high 438.50 - 1 = -30.0%; free cash flow yield 4,891.3 / 384,360 = 1.3%; P/E 384,360 / 7,265.4 = 52.9; P/S 384,360 / 23,232.7 = 16.5 - revenue mix, geography and customer concentration. — FY2015-FY2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in Lam Research's Forms 10-K, quarterly results releases, XBRL filings and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  11. ReportedAnd export controls have closed part of China, 42% of revenue in fiscal 2024 and 26% in the June 2026 quarter, to Lam's tools.
    Lam Research Form 10-K for fiscal 2026 (year ended 28 June 2026) - Item 1A risk factors: export controls, cyclicality, customers, suppliers and currencies. — FY2026 · publ. 7 August 2026 · source ↗
  12. ReportedAnd export controls have closed part of China, 42% of revenue in fiscal 2024 and 26% in the June 2026 quarter, to Lam's tools.
    Lam Research fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 results release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - revenue, margins, revenue by type and region, cash flow and September 2026 quarter guidance. — Q4 FY2026 · publ. 29 July 2026 · source ↗
  13. ReportedThe filing is explicit that the moat costs money in bad years too: "Even during periods of reduced revenues, we must continue to invest in R&D" and maintain worldwide customer service, it says.
    Lam Research Form 10-K for fiscal 2026 (year ended 28 June 2026) - Item 7 MD&A and revenue notes: revenue by type, region and end market, and margins. — FY2026 · publ. 7 August 2026 · source ↗
  14. ReportedLam did that in fiscal 2024, when revenue fell 14.5% and research spending still rose to $1,902.4 million.
    SEC EDGAR XBRL company facts for Lam Research (CIK 707549) - revenue, gross profit, operating income, research and development, net income, diluted EPS and shares, buybacks and dividends for fiscal 2015-2026; per-share figures before fiscal 2023 are pre-split. — FY2015-FY2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
  15. Moat Explorer calcLam did that in fiscal 2024, when revenue fell 14.5% and research spending still rose to $1,902.4 million.
    Moat Explorer calculation from Lam Research's reported figures ($ millions unless stated; fiscal years end in late June). Revenue growth: FY2019 9,653.6 / 11,077.0 - 1 = -12.9%; FY2020 10,044.7 / 9,653.6 - 1 = +4.1%; FY2021 14,626.2 / 10,044.7 - 1 = +45.6%; FY2022 17,227.0 / 14,626.2 - 1 = +17.8%; FY2023 17,428.5 / 17,227.0 - 1 = +1.2%; FY2024 14,905.4 / 17,428.5 - 1 = -14.5%; FY2025 18,435.6 / 14,905.4 - 1 = +23.7%; revenue FY2015-FY2026 23,232.7 / 5,259.3 = 4.4 times. Q4 FY2026 revenue 6,722.2 / 5,171.4 - 1 = +30.0%; Q4 systems 4,249.8 / 3,437.6 - 1 = +23.6%; Q4 customer support 2,472.4 / 1,733.8 - 1 = +42.6%; FY2025 quarterly systems 3,437.6 / 2,392.7 - 1 = +43.7%. Revenue by type: systems FY2023 10,695.9 / 11,322.3 - 1 = -5.5%; FY2024 8,921.6 / 10,695.9 - 1 = -16.6%; customer support FY2023 6,732.6 / 5,904.8 - 1 = +14.0%; FY2024 5,983.7 / 6,732.6 - 1 = -11.1%, a fall of 748.9; FY2021 growth systems +47.4%, support +42.2%; FY2022 systems +16.0%, support +21.5%; FY2025 systems +28.8%, support +16.1%; FY2026 systems +29.5%, support +20.2%; support less systems growth -5.2, +5.5, +19.5, +5.5, -12.7, -9.3 points (FY2021-FY2026). Multiples FY2019-FY2026: customer support 8,347.2 / 3,202.5 = 2.6 times (14.7% a year); systems 14,885.5 / 6,451.1 = 2.3 times (12.7% a year). Cumulative FY2019-FY2026 customer support 45,396.0 of 125,553.6 = 36%. Customer support share of revenue: 3,202.5 / 9,653.6 = 33.2% (FY2019); 3,419.6 / 10,044.7 = 34.0%; 4,861.3 / 14,626.2 = 33.2%; 5,904.8 / 17,227.0 = 34.3%; 6,732.6 / 17,428.5 = 38.6%; 5,983.7 / 14,905.4 = 40.1% (FY2024); 6,944.3 / 18,435.6 = 37.7%; 8,347.2 / 23,232.7 = 35.9% (FY2026). Systems share 65.7%, 61.4%, 59.9%, 62.3%, 64.1% (FY2022-FY2026). Quarterly FY2026 support share 1,776.6 / 5,324.2 = 33.4%; 1,987.3 / 5,344.8 = 37.2%; 2,110.9 / 5,841.5 = 36.1%; 2,472.4 / 6,722.2 = 36.8%. Research and development 2,375.9 / 23,232.7 = 10.2% (FY2026); 825.2 / 5,259.3 = 15.7% (FY2015); 1,033.7 / 8,013.6 = 12.9% (FY2017); 1,191.3 / 9,653.6 = 12.3% (FY2019); 1,493.4 / 14,626.2 = 10.2% (FY2021); 1,727.2 / 17,428.5 = 9.9% (FY2023); 1,902.4 / 14,905.4 = 12.8% (FY2024); 2,375.9 / 825.2 = 2.9 times. Gross margin 2,284.3 / 5,259.3 = 43.4% (FY2015); 3,603.4 / 8,013.6 = 45.0% (FY2017); 4,358.5 / 9,653.6 = 45.1% (FY2019); 6,805.3 / 14,626.2 = 46.5% (FY2021); 7,776.9 / 17,428.5 = 44.6% (FY2023); 7,052.8 / 14,905.4 = 47.3% (FY2024). Operating margin 788.0 / 5,259.3 = 15.0% (FY2015); 1,902.1 / 8,013.6 = 23.7%; 2,464.7 / 9,653.6 = 25.5%; 4,482.0 / 14,626.2 = 30.6%; 5,174.9 / 17,428.5 = 29.7%; 4,263.9 / 14,905.4 = 28.6% (FY2024). Segment gross margin 12,120.0 / 23,232.7 = 52.2%. Region FY2026: China 7,859.8 / 23,232.7 = 33.8%; Taiwan 5,222.9 / 23,232.7 = 22.5%; Korea 4,505.3 / 23,232.7 = 19.4%; Japan 2,171.1 / 23,232.7 = 9.3%; Taiwan 5,222.9 / 3,445.2 - 1 = +51.6%; Korea 2,874.0 / 4,037.5 - 1 = -28.8%. China share 1,040.0 / 5,885.9 = 17.7% (FY2016); 1,784.4 / 11,077.0 = 16.1% (FY2018); 3,083.9 / 10,044.7 = 30.7% (FY2020); 5,137.9 / 14,626.2 = 35.1% (FY2021); 4,462.7 / 17,428.5 = 25.6% (FY2023). China revenue FY2022-FY2023 5,411.5 - 4,462.7 = 948.8 lower. Foundry plus memory 54 + 39 = 93%. Long-lived assets in the United States 2,003.4 / 3,353.8 = 60%. Customer concentration (percentages of total revenue): FY2026 16 + 15 + 12 + 12 = 55%; FY2025 17 + 15 = 32%; FY2024 17%; FY2023 22 + 16 = 38%; FY2022 21 + 12 + 12 + 11 = 56%; FY2021 25 + 12 + 10 = 47%; FY2020 24 + 14 + 10 + 10 = 58%; FY2019 15 + 14 + 14 + 14 = 57%; FY2018 25 + 14 + 14 + 13 + 12 = 78%. Accounts receivable June 2026 20 + 16 + 15 + 11 + 10 = 72%. Deferred revenue within a year 1,798.1 / 2,434.0 = 74%; deferred revenue against Q4 revenue 2,434.0 / 6,722.2 = 36%. Cash and capital: free cash flow 5,857.7 - 966.4 = 4,891.3 (FY2026); 6,173.3 - 759.2 = 5,414.1 (FY2025); 4,652.3 - 396.7 = 4,255.6 (FY2024). Shareholder returns 3,851.3 + 1,270.6 = 5,121.9, 5,121.9 / 4,891.3 = 104.7%; FY2025 (3,422.3 + 1,149.5) / 5,414.1 = 84.4%; FY2024 (2,842.8 + 1,018.9) / 4,255.6 = 90.7%. Dividends 1,270.6 / 7,265.4 = 17.5% of net income; 1,270.6 / 4,891.3 = 26% of free cash flow. Net cash 5,579.2 - 3,722.1 = 1,857.1 (FY2026); 6,390.7 - 4,469.4 = 1,921.3 (FY2025); 5,847.9 - 4,967.4 = 880.5 (FY2024). Treasury stock 31,597.9 / retained earnings 34,950.3 = 0.90. Per share: diluted shares 1,261.1 / 1,770.7 - 1 = -28.8% (FY2015 177.07M pre-split x 10); EPS 5.76 / 0.37 = 15.6 times; net income 7,265.4 / 655.6 = 11.1 times. Additional: Taiwan share 1,671.8 / 14,905.4 = 11.2% (FY2024), 3,477.9 / 17,428.5 = 20.0% (FY2023); Korea 2,205.3 / 3,832.8 - 1 = -42% (FY2019); research growth 2,096.4 / 1,902.4 - 1 = +10.2% (FY2025), 2,375.9 / 2,096.4 - 1 = +13.3% (FY2026); research staff 23,300 x 26% = more than 6,000; United States and Southeast Asia (1,528.9 + 1,245.9) / 23,232.7 = 12.0%; Southeast Asia 1,245.9 / 837.2 - 1 = +48.8%; systems FY2020 6,625.1 / 6,451.1 - 1 = +2.7%, support 3,419.6 / 3,202.5 - 1 = +6.8%; FY2022 to FY2025 support 6,944.3 / 5,904.8 - 1 = +17.6%, systems 11,491.3 / 11,322.3 - 1 = +1.5%; support March 2025 quarter 1,684.9 / 4,720.2 = 35.7%, 2,472.4 / 1,684.9 - 1 = +46.7%; support Q1 to Q4 FY2026 2,472.4 / 1,776.6 - 1 = +39.2%; deferred revenue 2,681 - 2,434 = 247 lower, 2,681 / 5,171.4 = 52% of the June 2025 quarter revenue; receivables 5,339.7 / 6,722.2 = 79%; return on equity 5,358.2 / ((8,539.5 + 9,861.6) / 2) = 58.2% (FY2025), 7,265.4 / ((9,861.6 + 12,470.9) / 2) = 65.1% (FY2026); market value 57.32 / 101.26 - 1 = -43% (calendar 2022); price target 373.13 / 307.16 - 1 = +21%; revenue 23,232.7 / 4,607.3 = 5.0 times (FY2014-FY2026); lab plan 3,000 / 5 = 600 a year. Further: Europe 698.7 / 23,232.7 = 3.0%; China 7,859.8 / 623.4 = 12.6 times (FY2014-FY2026); Korea 4,505.3 / 1,127.4 = 4.0 times; Taiwan 5,222.9 / 1,049.2 = 5.0 times; dividends declared per share 0.92 / 0.80 - 1 = +15%, 1.04 / 0.92 - 1 = +13%; diluted shares (1,261.1 / 1,319.9) ^ (1/2) - 1 = -2.3% a year; buybacks FY2015-FY2026 573.2 + 158.4 + 811.7 + 2,653.2 + 3,780.6 + 1,369.6 + 2,697.7 + 3,865.7 + 2,017.0 + 2,842.8 + 3,422.3 + 3,851.3 = 28,043.5; dividends paid 116.1 + 190.4 + 243.5 + 307.6 + 678.3 + 656.8 + 727.0 + 815.3 + 907.9 + 1,018.9 + 1,149.5 + 1,270.6 = 8,081.9; net income FY2015-FY2026 = 39,567.4; (28,043.5 + 8,081.9) / 39,567.4 = 91%; customer support fell only in FY2024 among FY2020-FY2026, systems fell in FY2023 and FY2024. Cash conversion: operating cash flow / net income 6,173.3 / 5,358.2 = 115% (FY2025); 5,857.7 / 7,265.4 = 81% (FY2026). Valuation: price 307.16 / 52-week high 438.50 - 1 = -30.0%; free cash flow yield 4,891.3 / 384,360 = 1.3%; P/E 384,360 / 7,265.4 = 52.9; P/S 384,360 / 23,232.7 = 16.5 - growth rates, margins and revenue by type. — FY2015-FY2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in Lam Research's Forms 10-K, quarterly results releases, XBRL filings and market data; operands shown in the source line.
  16. ReportedTim Archer has led the company since December 2018, and the creation of a chief operating officer role in March 2026 gives Lam a second executive running global products and services.
    Lam Research Form 10-K for fiscal 2026 (year ended 28 June 2026) - Item 1 business and Part III: customers, employees and management. — FY2026 · publ. 7 August 2026 · source ↗
  17. ReportedTim Archer has led the company since December 2018, and the creation of a chief operating officer role in March 2026 gives Lam a second executive running global products and services.
    Lam Research Form 8-K exhibit 99.2 - Sesha Varadarajan to become chief operating officer effective 6 March 2026; Karthik Rammohan's expanded role. — February 2026 · publ. 3 February 2026 · source ↗
  18. ReportedThe moat is wide and, on current evidence, widening: Lam expects to outgrow wafer fab equipment spending for a third straight year.
    The Motley Fool via Yahoo Finance, Lam Research Q4 fiscal 2026 earnings call transcript - installed base, end-market mix of systems revenue, WFE outlook, served market, customer support, China and margin targets - wafer fab equipment outlook, served market, margins and growth targets. — Q4 FY2026 · publ. 29 July 2026 · source ↗
Sources
Generated September 25, 2026