BetterThanSPY

Relative Intelligence · Semiconductor Equipment

How Lam Research (LRCX) compares with the whole market and its popular alternatives

Built by QuantCommons' quantitative engine, this page is about relative opportunity, not data on LRCX alone. It places LRCX (Lam Research Corporation) against 20+ popular alternatives, its neighboring categories and the entire market of over 10,000 U.S.-listed stocks and ETFs, and surfaces what has done better on consistent outperformance, return for the risk taken, behavior in real market crashes and diversification. The result is a clearer view of where LRCX stands in the market, and of the alternatives worth a closer look.

Period covered: LRCX's full trading record, from October 1986 through September 2026. All returns include reinvested dividends. Data as of October 22, 2026.

Data as of October 22, 2026. Full tables and charts read best on a larger screen.

Rank the market against LRCX →Chart LRCX vs. 21 alternatives →

This page answers the following questions about LRCX

Key findings

Not AI-generated

These key findings are generated by our proprietary relative intelligence engine, directly from the data on this page.

How much would $10,000 in LRCX have grown?

This chart tracks a hypothetical $10,000 investment in LRCX over the past 29 years, with dividends reinvested, alongside the same amount in the S&P 500, investments that ended ahead of LRCX over the same span and LRCX's popular alternatives, among those that traded for the entire period. A second view covers the past 5 years, the period the better options further down the page are judged on. It shows not only where each investment ended up but also how smooth or uneven the path was.

Choose a period

From the end of September 1997 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 9 of the 1,042 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of LRCX; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$10,000$100,000$1M$10M199720022007201220172022$10,000$100,000$1M$10M19972004201120182025
  • MNST$46M+456,538% total · +33.7% a year
  • AAPL$21M+205,249% total · +30.1% a year
  • AMZN$11M+114,749% total · +27.5% a year
  • APH$3M+29,926% total · +21.7% a year
  • SCCO$3M+26,680% total · +21.3% a year
  • LRCX$2M+24,786% total · +21.0% a year
  • KLAC$1M+10,976% total · +17.6% a year
  • ASML$984,088+9,741% total · +17.1% a year
  • MU$629,766+6,198% total · +15.4% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$132,907+1,229% total · +9.3% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

From the end of September 2021 to the end of September 2026. The scale is logarithmic, so equal steps up the chart are equal percentage gains. Hover over a fund in the key to pick out its line. 79 of the 3,630 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that traded the whole period ended ahead of LRCX; the chart shows 5, closest alternatives first. The other 3 lines are popular alternatives, shown for context.

$2,000$5,000$10,000$20,000$50,000$100,000202120222023202420252026$10,000$100,000202120222023202420252026
  • MU$153,675+1,437% total · +72.7% a year
  • NVDA$110,811+1,008% total · +61.8% a year
  • AXTI$92,931+829% total · +56.2% a year
  • ASX$70,798+608% total · +47.9% a year
  • CIEN$68,511+585% total · +46.9% a year
  • KLAC$61,203+512% total · +43.7% a year
  • LRCX$60,701+507% total · +43.4% a year
  • TSM$43,622+336% total · +34.3% a year
  • CAMT$38,960+290% total · +31.3% a year
  • SPY (S&P 500)$19,000+90.0% total · +13.7% a year
Change the dates or add tickers to this chart in EasyCompare

LRCX at a glance

This section summarizes the key facts about the stock, its returns over periods from one to ten years and the risk it has carried, with dividends reinvested throughout. These figures serve as the baseline for every comparison that follows.

The company

Market value
$288B
Industry
Semiconductors
Price history from
October 1986

Returns

Past 1 year
+63.7%total return
Past 3 years
+294%+57.9% a year
Past 5 years
+335%+34.2% a year
Past 10 years
+2,542%+38.7% a year
Best calendar year
+527%1999
Worst calendar year
−61.0%2000
Losing years
11 of 29full calendar years

Risk

Volatility
50.1%typical yearly swing, 5 years
Sharpe ratio
0.84return per unit of risk, 5 years
Worst decline ever
−87.9%Apr 2000 to Oct 2002
From its all-time high
−46.8%below the peak

LRCX against the whole market

Where LRCX ranks among every stock and fund, and what across the market has done better.

How does LRCX rank among all stocks?

This section ranks LRCX on return, volatility, risk-adjusted return and worst decline against every stock worth at least $300 million with enough history. Where the comparisons with its popular alternatives show how LRCX stacks up against its peers, these rankings show where it stands in the market as a whole.

Ranked against U.S.-listed stocks worth at least $300M that have enough history for each measure, so the count changes from row to row; smaller stocks are left out. Lower volatility and smaller declines rank higher.

MeasureLRCXRankStanding
1-year return+63.7%380 of 3,282top 12%
3-year return+294%228 of 3,016top 8%
5-year return+335%127 of 2,897top 4%
10-year return+2,542%27 of 2,201top 1%
Volatility, 5 years50.1%1,926 of 2,897bottom 35%
Sharpe ratio, 5 years0.84233 of 2,897top 8%
Worst decline, past 10 years−56.4%734 of 2,184top 34%

What has beaten LRCX on both return and risk?

Each dot is an investment, placed by how much it earned a year over the past 5 years (higher is better) and how much its price swung, its volatility (further left is calmer). LRCX sits where the dashed lines cross. Anything in the green box above and to the left earned more than LRCX with smaller swings, a better trade-off over this period on both counts. Past results are no promise, but a name in the box is worth a closer look.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested, and volatility the annualized swing in daily prices, both over 5 years. Labeled dots are the strongest picks from the table below and the names called out above, colored by how close they sit to LRCX; faint dots are 39 more of the 46 in the green region (the strongest, one per fund family). 3,641 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million were screened. Hover over a dot for its figures.

10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%80.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than LRCXLLY: +41.2% a year, volatility 32.8%MCK: +37.8% a year, volatility 25.1%PWR: +36.4% a year, volatility 37.4%IDCC: +39.4% a year, volatility 36.9%ESLT: +39.7% a year, volatility 34.6%EME: +40.8% a year, volatility 35.4%DXPE: +37.0% a year, volatility 46.4%PBR-A: +53.5% a year, volatility 37.4%JXN: +42.4% a year, volatility 43.3%MPC: +50.0% a year, volatility 33.4%HWM: +45.1% a year, volatility 32.7%DHT: +40.3% a year, volatility 39.0%TRGP: +41.8% a year, volatility 31.7%USLM: +36.8% a year, volatility 36.1%ODC: +36.9% a year, volatility 36.9%GE: +36.0% a year, volatility 31.0%PBR: +52.4% a year, volatility 37.4%INSW: +58.7% a year, volatility 40.6%BBVA: +39.0% a year, volatility 33.3%VLO: +43.8% a year, volatility 36.9%FTI: +54.6% a year, volatility 41.2%SBS: +40.9% a year, volatility 36.9%CRS: +57.4% a year, volatility 47.4%COKE: +41.6% a year, volatility 38.0%MLI: +36.5% a year, volatility 33.4%LAUR: +36.9% a year, volatility 32.8%TRMD: +54.8% a year, volatility 46.0%ENVA: +38.4% a year, volatility 41.9%TNK: +52.2% a year, volatility 45.1%GFF: +36.9% a year, volatility 41.7%STNG: +40.0% a year, volatility 43.5%LPG: +55.8% a year, volatility 43.6%UFPT: +36.5% a year, volatility 46.0%TEN: +48.0% a year, volatility 46.4%NRP: +35.8% a year, volatility 33.7%TK: +48.3% a year, volatility 41.7%PBT: +36.5% a year, volatility 47.1%ASC: +43.5% a year, volatility 44.7%CLMB: +38.4% a year, volatility 45.5%LRCX: +34.2% a year, volatility 50.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%NVDA: +56.5% a year, volatility 51.9%KLAC: +35.3% a year, volatility 46.9%MU: +67.0% a year, volatility 57.1%CIEN: +43.7% a year, volatility 52.9%ASX: +47.3% a year, volatility 43.3%AVGO: +46.9% a year, volatility 44.6%DELL: +53.8% a year, volatility 54.5%ANET: +47.6% a year, volatility 49.1%STX: +53.4% a year, volatility 48.8%ATI: +58.9% a year, volatility 43.2%CAH: +41.7% a year, volatility 24.7%FIX: +73.0% a year, volatility 46.9%IBKR: +35.3% a year, volatility 35.5%VST: +51.7% a year, volatility 48.8%MFG: +33.9% a year, volatility 30.6%LRCXSPY (S&P 500)NVDAKLACMUCIENASXDELLANETSTXATICAHFIXIBKRVSTMFG10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsMore return, less volatility than LRCXLLY: +41.2% a year, volatility 32.8%MCK: +37.8% a year, volatility 25.1%PWR: +36.4% a year, volatility 37.4%IDCC: +39.4% a year, volatility 36.9%ESLT: +39.7% a year, volatility 34.6%EME: +40.8% a year, volatility 35.4%DXPE: +37.0% a year, volatility 46.4%PBR-A: +53.5% a year, volatility 37.4%JXN: +42.4% a year, volatility 43.3%MPC: +50.0% a year, volatility 33.4%HWM: +45.1% a year, volatility 32.7%DHT: +40.3% a year, volatility 39.0%TRGP: +41.8% a year, volatility 31.7%USLM: +36.8% a year, volatility 36.1%ODC: +36.9% a year, volatility 36.9%GE: +36.0% a year, volatility 31.0%PBR: +52.4% a year, volatility 37.4%INSW: +58.7% a year, volatility 40.6%BBVA: +39.0% a year, volatility 33.3%VLO: +43.8% a year, volatility 36.9%FTI: +54.6% a year, volatility 41.2%SBS: +40.9% a year, volatility 36.9%CRS: +57.4% a year, volatility 47.4%COKE: +41.6% a year, volatility 38.0%MLI: +36.5% a year, volatility 33.4%LAUR: +36.9% a year, volatility 32.8%TRMD: +54.8% a year, volatility 46.0%ENVA: +38.4% a year, volatility 41.9%TNK: +52.2% a year, volatility 45.1%GFF: +36.9% a year, volatility 41.7%STNG: +40.0% a year, volatility 43.5%LPG: +55.8% a year, volatility 43.6%UFPT: +36.5% a year, volatility 46.0%TEN: +48.0% a year, volatility 46.4%NRP: +35.8% a year, volatility 33.7%TK: +48.3% a year, volatility 41.7%PBT: +36.5% a year, volatility 47.1%ASC: +43.5% a year, volatility 44.7%CLMB: +38.4% a year, volatility 45.5%LRCX: +34.2% a year, volatility 50.1%SPY (S&P 500): +12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%NVDA: +56.5% a year, volatility 51.9%KLAC: +35.3% a year, volatility 46.9%MU: +67.0% a year, volatility 57.1%CIEN: +43.7% a year, volatility 52.9%ASX: +47.3% a year, volatility 43.3%AVGO: +46.9% a year, volatility 44.6%DELL: +53.8% a year, volatility 54.5%ANET: +47.6% a year, volatility 49.1%STX: +53.4% a year, volatility 48.8%ATI: +58.9% a year, volatility 43.2%CAH: +41.7% a year, volatility 24.7%FIX: +73.0% a year, volatility 46.9%IBKR: +35.3% a year, volatility 35.5%VST: +51.7% a year, volatility 48.8%MFG: +33.9% a year, volatility 30.6%LRCXSPY (S&P 500)NVDAKLACMUCIENASXAVGOANETSTXATICAHFIXIBKRVSTMFG
  • Popular alternatives
  • Same and neighboring categories, and shared themes
  • The whole market
  • Others in the green region
  • 1 with more than 1.6× LRCX's volatility is in the table only

Is there a better investment than LRCX?

Investments that beat LRCX over the past 5 years on return, volatility, drawdowns, consistency, crash losses or fees, from its popular alternatives out to the whole market.

How this works

The table below lists investments that beat LRCX over the past 5 years on at least one of these measures: a higher annual return with lower volatility, a higher annual return at similar volatility, a similar return with lower volatility, a higher Sharpe ratio with a smaller worst decline, a higher total return in most periods from 3 months to 10 years, or smaller losses in recent market crashes. It checks LRCX's popular alternatives first, then the rest of its own and neighboring categories, then every stock and fund worth at least $500 million, and shows the strongest few in each group. The full list of those with a higher return and lower volatility than LRCX follows the table.

Annual return is the annualized total return with dividends reinvested. Annual return, volatility and the Sharpe ratio cover 5 years; the worst decline covers the past 10 years. Green marks a better figure than LRCX's. "On the frontier" means no other option shown or tested earned more with less volatility. Funds that hold the same thing are shown once. Beyond the popular alternatives, nothing with more than 1.5× LRCX's volatility counts as better.

These figures cover the past 5 years. Green marks a better figure than LRCX's.

Screen the whole market against LRCX for any period in BetterThanSPYOpen these 17 in EasyCompare
InvestmentWhy it is betterPast 5 yearsDownsideLong runFit
Annual return?higher is betterVolatility?lower is calmerSharpe?return per unit of riskWorst decline?past 10 years10Y returntotalCorr. with LRCX?lower diversifies moreExpenseper year
LRCXLam Research Corporation · this page
+34.2%50.1%0.84−56.4%+2,542%1.00—
SPYState Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF · S&P 500
+12.5%17.2%0.78−33.7%+316%0.600.09%
Popular alternativesbest 4 shownThe investments people most often weigh against LRCX. 4 of 21 passed at least one test.
NVDANVIDIA Corporation · Semiconductors
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+56.5%51.9%1.12−66.3%+12,166%0.52—
KLACKLA Corporation · Semiconductor Equipment
Higher return, lower volatility+35.3%46.9%0.88−50.9%+2,224%0.86—
MUMicron Technology, Inc. · Semiconductors
Higher return in most periods+67.0%57.1%1.19−57.6%+5,050%0.79—
AXTIAXT, Inc. · Semiconductors
Higher return in most periods+43.3%103%0.85−92.5%+798%0.39—
Same and neighboring categories, and shared themesbest 6 shownEverything else in Semiconductor Equipment and Semiconductors and the categories next to it (Communications Equipment, Computer Hardware, Electronic Components), plus LRCX's specific themes. 13 of 120 passed at least one test.
CIENCiena Corporation · Communications Equipment
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst declineHigher return in most periods+43.7%52.9%0.95−49.5%+1,509%0.40—
ASXASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. · Semiconductors
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+47.3%43.3%1.11−52.5%+883%0.73—
AVGOBroadcom Inc. · Semiconductors
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+46.9%44.6%1.09−48.3%+2,254%0.35—
DELLDell Technologies Inc. · Computer Hardware
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+53.8%54.5%1.06−59.6%+3,613%0.35—
ANETArista Networks, Inc. · Communications Equipment
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+47.6%49.1%1.04−52.2%+3,158%0.41—
STXSeagate Technology Holdings plc · Computer Hardware
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+53.4%48.8%1.12−57.0%+2,597%0.72—
The whole marketbest 6 shownEvery other stock and fund worth at least $500 million. 81 of 3,515 passed at least one test.
ATIATI Inc. · Metals & Mining
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+58.9%43.2%1.29−82.4%+809%0.22—
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+41.7%24.7%1.54−46.1%+345%0.28—
FIXComfort Systems USA, Inc. · Engineering & Construction
On the frontierHigher return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+73.0%46.9%1.41−49.7%+4,888%0.42—
IBKRInteractive Brokers Group, Inc. · Investment Banking & Brokerage
Higher return, lower volatilityHigher return in most periods+35.3%35.5%1.03−55.1%+929%0.38—
VSTVistra Corp. · Independent Power Producers
Higher return, similar volatilityHigher return in most periods+51.7%48.8%1.10−53.3%+1,130%0.22—
MFGMizuho Financial Group, Inc. · Banks
Similar return, lower volatilityHigher Sharpe, smaller worst decline+33.9%30.6%1.11−45.7%+343%0.26—
What these numbers mean for LRCX
Annual return
LRCX returned 34.2% a year over the past 5 years with dividends reinvested, against 12.5% a year for the S&P 500. At that pace, $10,000 became about $43,500. Annual return is the steady yearly rate that would produce the same total result, so investments held over the same span compare fairly. Guide: What is performance and return? →
Volatility
LRCX's volatility over the past 5 years was 50.1%, 2.9 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, LRCX's return lands within 50.1% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump. Guide: Understanding and measuring risk (volatility) →
Sharpe ratio
LRCX's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.84, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so LRCX earned more for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings. Guide: Balancing reward with risk (Sharpe ratio) →
Worst decline
LRCX's worst fall from a peak to a low over the past 10 years was 56.4%, against 33.7% for the S&P 500. Losses and gains are not symmetric: climbing back from a 56.4% fall takes a 129% gain. Guide: Market crash risk and tail risk →
Correlation
Over the past 5 years, LRCX's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.60 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against LRCX instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a LRCX holding. Guide: Correlation and diversification →
Show all 46 stocks and funds worth at least $500 million that earned more than LRCX with less volatility

Out of 3,641 tested over 5 years. Best first; funds that hold the same thing are listed once.

#InvestmentFound inAnnual returnVolatilitySharpeWorst decline10Y returnCorr. with LRCXExpense
1
ATIATI Inc. · Metals & Mining
Whole market+58.9%43.2%1.29−82.4%+809%0.22—
2
CAHCardinal Health, Inc. · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+41.7%24.7%1.54−46.1%+345%0.28—
3
FIXComfort Systems USA, Inc. · Engineering & Construction
Whole market+73.0%46.9%1.41−49.7%+4,888%0.42—
4
LLYEli Lilly and Company · Pharmaceuticals
Whole market+41.2%32.8%1.22−34.5%+1,870%0.20—
5
IBKRInteractive Brokers Group, Inc. · Investment Banking & Brokerage
Whole market+35.3%35.5%1.03−55.1%+929%0.38—
6
MCKMcKesson Corporation · Health Care Distribution
Whole market+37.8%25.1%1.41−38.1%+582%-0.01—
7
PWRQuanta Services, Inc. · Engineering & Construction
Whole market+36.4%37.4%1.02−45.5%+1,878%0.38—
8
ASXASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. · Semiconductors
Same or nearby category+47.3%43.3%1.11−52.5%+883%0.73—
9
IDCCInterDigital, Inc. · Intellectual Property Licensing
Whole market+39.4%36.9%1.09−64.9%+392%0.36—
10
AVGOBroadcom Inc. · Semiconductors
Same or nearby category+46.9%44.6%1.09−48.3%+2,254%0.35—
11
ESLTElbit Systems Ltd. · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+39.7%34.6%1.14−35.4%+763%0.00—
12
EMEEMCOR Group, Inc. · Engineering & Construction
Whole market+40.8%35.4%1.15−48.0%+1,116%0.33—
13
DXPEDXP Enterprises, Inc. · Industrial Distribution
Whole market+37.0%46.4%0.91−77.3%+674%0.19—
14
PBR-APetróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+53.5%37.4%1.34−71.7%+733%0.06—
15
JXNJackson Financial Inc. · Life Insurance
Whole market+42.4%43.3%1.04−48.4%—0.17—
16
MPCMarathon Petroleum Corporation · Oil Refining
Whole market+50.0%33.4%1.39−79.7%+1,314%0.02—
17
HWMHowmet Aerospace Inc. · Aerospace Components
Whole market+45.1%32.7%1.31−68.9%+928%0.27—
18
DHTDHT Holdings, Inc. · Oil & Gas
Whole market+40.3%39.0%1.07−39.7%+1,094%-0.02—
19
TRGPTarga Resources Corp. · Oil & Gas Midstream
Whole market+41.8%31.7%1.27−90.8%+829%0.10—
20
USLMUnited States Lime & Minerals, Inc. · Construction Materials
Whole market+36.8%36.1%1.05−45.9%+831%-0.02—
21
ODCOil-Dri Corporation of America · Specialty Chemicals
Whole market+36.9%36.9%1.04−48.9%+474%0.26—
22
GEGE Aerospace · Aerospace & Defense
Whole market+36.0%31.0%1.15−80.9%+135%0.49—
23
PBRPetróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras · Integrated Oil & Gas
Whole market+52.4%37.4%1.32−75.3%+647%0.02—
24
INSWInternational Seaways, Inc. · Oil & Gas
Whole market+58.7%40.6%1.35−57.4%—-0.04—
25
BBVABanco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. · Banks
Whole market+39.0%33.3%1.16−69.6%+515%0.17—
26
VLOValero Energy Corporation · Oil Refining
Whole market+43.8%36.9%1.18−71.9%+1,014%0.10—
27
FTITechnipFMC plc · Oilfield Services
Whole market+54.6%41.2%1.27−85.8%+173%0.13—
28
SBSCompanhia de Saneamento Básico do Estado de São Paulo - SABESP · Water Utilities
Whole market+40.9%36.9%1.11−62.0%+282%0.26—
29
CRSCarpenter Technology Corporation · Metals & Mining
Whole market+57.4%47.4%1.20−74.7%+775%0.27—
30
COKECoca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. · Food & Beverages
Whole market+41.6%38.0%1.11−51.7%+1,564%0.22—
31
MLIMueller Industries, Inc. · Metal Fabrication
Whole market+36.5%33.4%1.10−53.0%+760%0.25—
32
LAURLaureate Education, Inc. · Education Services
Whole market+36.9%32.8%1.13−64.5%—0.16—
33
KLACKLA Corporation · Semiconductor Equipment
Popular alternative+35.3%46.9%0.88−50.9%+2,224%0.86—
34
TRMDTORM plc · Marine Shipping
Whole market+54.8%46.0%1.19−60.6%—-0.02—
35
ENVAEnova International, Inc. · Online Lending
Whole market+38.4%41.9%0.99−77.6%+1,822%0.36—
36
TNKTeekay Tankers Ltd. · Marine Shipping
Whole market+52.2%45.1%1.16−63.4%+511%-0.03—
37
GFFGriffon Corporation · Building Products
Whole market+36.9%41.7%0.96−61.3%+774%0.40—
38
STNGScorpio Tankers Inc. · Freight & Logistics
Whole market+40.0%43.5%0.99−80.6%+144%-0.02—
39
LPGDorian LPG Ltd. · Marine Shipping
Whole market+55.8%43.6%1.24−62.9%+1,827%0.07—
40
UFPTUFP Technologies, Inc. · Medical Devices
Whole market+36.5%46.0%0.91−48.3%+1,009%0.32—
41
TENTsakos Energy Navigation Limited · Oil & Gas
Whole market+48.0%46.4%1.08−68.7%+225%-0.04—
42
NRPNatural Resource Partners L.P. · Coal
Whole market+35.8%33.7%1.08−78.8%+665%-0.12—
43
TKTeekay Corporation · Oil & Gas
Whole market+48.3%41.7%1.15−83.8%+267%0.01—
44
PBTPermian Basin Royalty Trust · Mineral Royalties
Whole market+36.5%47.1%0.90−74.0%+715%0.01—
45
ASCArdmore Shipping Corporation · Marine Shipping
Whole market+43.5%44.7%1.03−71.2%+278%-0.04—
46
CLMBClimb Global Solutions, Inc. · Technology Distribution
Whole market+38.4%45.5%0.94−53.4%+886%0.26—

LRCX against its popular alternatives

The investments people most often weigh against LRCX, compared period by period and year by year.

How do LRCX's risk and return compare with its alternatives?

This map plots each investment's annual return over the past 5 years against its volatility, the size of its typical price swings. Investments toward the upper left earned more for a smoother ride, and those toward the lower right earned less for a rougher one. The dashed lines cross at LRCX, which divides the map into what did better or worse on each measure.

Green points earned more than LRCX with less volatility; red points earned less with more. Hover over a point for its figures. Total returns with dividends reinvested, annualized.

0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%120%−10.0%0.0%10.0%20.0%30.0%40.0%50.0%60.0%70.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityLRCX: 34.2% a year, volatility 50.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%CAMT: 25.3% a year, volatility 58.2%KLAC: 35.3% a year, volatility 46.9%TER: 22.1% a year, volatility 54.5%FORM: 20.7% a year, volatility 62.1%COHU: 8.4% a year, volatility 51.7%INTC: 13.4% a year, volatility 55.5%ENTG: −1.0% a year, volatility 55.7%ACLS: 16.3% a year, volatility 57.6%ICHR: −0.2% a year, volatility 71.3%UCTT: 0.6% a year, volatility 64.0%ACMR: 6.8% a year, volatility 82.4%ONTO: 21.7% a year, volatility 59.8%MU: 67.0% a year, volatility 57.1%NVDA: 56.5% a year, volatility 51.9%AXTI: 43.3% a year, volatility 103%TSM: 31.0% a year, volatility 38.6%ASML: 15.3% a year, volatility 43.5%AMAT: 23.6% a year, volatility 47.6%KLIC: 7.6% a year, volatility 46.7%VECO: 12.6% a year, volatility 49.4%NVMI: 24.6% a year, volatility 49.7%LRCXSPY (S&P 500)CAMTKLACTERFORMCOHUINTCENTGACLSICHRUCTTACMRMUNVDAAXTITSMASMLAMATKLICVECONVMI0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%100%120%−20.0%0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0%80.0%Volatility over 5 years (annualized)Annual return over 5 yearsHigher return, lower volatilityLower return, higher volatilityLRCX: 34.2% a year, volatility 50.1%SPY (S&P 500): 12.5% a year, volatility 17.2%CAMT: 25.3% a year, volatility 58.2%KLAC: 35.3% a year, volatility 46.9%TER: 22.1% a year, volatility 54.5%FORM: 20.7% a year, volatility 62.1%COHU: 8.4% a year, volatility 51.7%INTC: 13.4% a year, volatility 55.5%ENTG: −1.0% a year, volatility 55.7%ACLS: 16.3% a year, volatility 57.6%ICHR: −0.2% a year, volatility 71.3%UCTT: 0.6% a year, volatility 64.0%ACMR: 6.8% a year, volatility 82.4%ONTO: 21.7% a year, volatility 59.8%MU: 67.0% a year, volatility 57.1%NVDA: 56.5% a year, volatility 51.9%AXTI: 43.3% a year, volatility 103%TSM: 31.0% a year, volatility 38.6%ASML: 15.3% a year, volatility 43.5%AMAT: 23.6% a year, volatility 47.6%KLIC: 7.6% a year, volatility 46.7%VECO: 12.6% a year, volatility 49.4%NVMI: 24.6% a year, volatility 49.7%LRCXSPY (S&P 500)CAMTKLACTERFORMCOHUINTCENTGICHRACMRMUNVDAAXTITSMKLIC
All figures
InvestmentAnnual returnVolatility
MU Micron Technology, Inc.+67.0%57.1%
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation+56.5%51.9%
AXTI AXT, Inc.+43.3%103%
KLAC KLA Corporation+35.3%46.9%
LRCX This pageLam Research Corporation+34.2%50.1%
TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited+31.0%38.6%
CAMT Camtek Ltd.+25.3%58.2%
NVMI Nova Ltd.+24.6%49.7%
AMAT Applied Materials, Inc.+23.6%47.6%
TER Teradyne, Inc.+22.1%54.5%
ONTO Onto Innovation Inc.+21.7%59.8%
FORM FormFactor, Inc.+20.7%62.1%
ACLS Axcelis Technologies, Inc.+16.3%57.6%
ASML ASML Holding N.V.+15.3%43.5%
INTC Intel Corp.+13.4%55.5%
VECO Veeco Instruments Inc.+12.6%49.4%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF+12.5%17.2%
COHU Cohu, Inc.+8.4%51.7%
KLIC Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.+7.6%46.7%
ACMR ACM Research, Inc.+6.8%82.4%
UCTT Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.+0.6%64.0%
ICHR Ichor Holdings, Ltd.−0.2%71.3%
ENTG Entegris, Inc.−1.0%55.7%
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Has LRCX consistently beaten its popular alternatives?

This section compares LRCX with the investments people most often weigh against it, checking each one over eight periods from one month to ten years. Counting how often an alternative earned more than LRCX helps separate lasting outperformance from a single strong stretch.

A green cell means the alternative earned more than LRCX over that period. "Qualified" marks those that did so in at least 3 of 5 short-term periods and 2 of 3 long-term periods.

InvestmentPeriods outperformed Short termLong termRisk · 5 yearsFund
1M3M6MYTD1Y3Y5Y10YVolatilitylower is calmerSharpehigher is betterWorst declinepast 10 yearsExpenseAssetsOverlapsame sectors
LRCX Lam Research Corporation (this page)—−25.9%−27.8%−13.2%+24.7%+63.7%+294%+335%+2,542%50.1%0.84−56.4%—$288B—
MU QualifiedMicron Technology, Inc.5/5 short3/3 longAll-weather−21.9%−10.7%+75.8%+172%+332%+1,193%+1,199%+5,050%57.1%1.19−57.6%—$969B—
NVDA QualifiedNVIDIA Corporation3/5 short3/3 long−7.3%+0.2%+5.0%+12.6%+18.0%+395%+839%+12,166%51.9%1.12−66.3%—$5.1T—
AXTI QualifiedAXT, Inc.3/5 short2/3 long−33.7%−2.7%−40.7%+208%+944%+2,192%+504%+798%103%0.85−92.5%—$3.4B—
TSM SemiconductorsTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited4/5 short1/3 long−8.8%−1.8%+7.0%+30.0%+44.2%+368%+285%+1,440%38.6%0.90−56.6%—$2.1T—
CAMT SemiconductorsCamtek Ltd.2/5 short1/3 long−21.1%−23.8%−35.7%+3.4%+3.1%+139%+209%+4,182%58.2%0.68−63.2%—$5.6B—
KLAC SemiconductorsKLA Corporation1/5 short1/3 long−21.5%−31.1%−18.2%+16.4%+33.4%+227%+353%+2,224%46.9%0.88−50.9%—$193B—
ASML SemiconductorsASML Holding N.V.4/5 short0/3 long−10.7%−13.3%+8.5%+34.7%+55.3%+172%+104%+1,527%43.5%0.55−56.9%—$601B—
TER SemiconductorsTeradyne, Inc.4/5 short0/3 long−22.6%−16.4%−19.8%+48.9%+123%+243%+171%+1,379%54.5%0.64−59.1%—$48B—
AMAT SemiconductorsApplied Materials, Inc.4/5 short0/3 long−20.5%−32.1%−6.7%+40.2%+71.2%+186%+188%+1,334%47.6%0.69−55.1%—$298B—
FORM SemiconductorsFormFactor, Inc.4/5 short0/3 long−24.6%−16.2%−35.0%+60.6%+130%+194%+156%+814%62.1%0.61−64.4%—$7.4B—
COHU SemiconductorsCohu, Inc.4/5 short0/3 long−28.3%−15.9%+3.2%+88.0%+113%+45.0%+49.7%+339%51.7%0.41−73.6%—$2.2B—
INTC SemiconductorsIntel Corp.4/5 short0/3 long−31.0%−16.7%+31.0%+117%+132%+157%+87.6%+199%55.5%0.50−70.8%—$452B—
ENTG SemiconductorsEntegris, Inc.3/5 short0/3 long−15.1%−6.6%−13.1%+43.6%+45.0%+45.1%−4.7%+728%55.7%0.26−59.3%—$20B—
KLIC SemiconductorsKulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.3/5 short0/3 long−18.0%−30.3%−13.5%+52.9%+92.9%+83.4%+44.0%+520%46.7%0.39−60.4%—$3.8B—
VECO SemiconductorsVeeco Instruments Inc.3/5 short0/3 long−7.2%−24.6%−18.3%+34.7%+44.2%+65.1%+80.6%+93.4%49.4%0.49−81.0%—$2.5B—
ACLS SemiconductorsAxcelis Technologies, Inc.2/5 short0/3 long−9.5%−26.2%−25.1%+21.6%+28.7%−27.6%+112%+656%57.6%0.55−78.8%—$3.2B—
ICHR SemiconductorsIchor Holdings, Ltd.2/5 short0/3 long−34.1%−60.3%−42.2%+85.5%+79.9%+49.5%−1.0%—71.3%0.36−77.4%—$1.4B—
NVMI SemiconductorsNova Ltd.1/5 short0/3 long−16.2%−31.8%−40.5%−10.7%−5.4%+223%+200%+2,432%49.7%0.69−52.8%—$9.9B—
UCTT SemiconductorsUltra Clean Holdings, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long−41.9%−56.2%−43.2%+62.7%+59.5%+91.4%+2.9%+483%64.0%0.33−79.3%—$2.0B—
ACMR SemiconductorsACM Research, Inc.1/5 short0/3 long−35.2%−45.1%−9.9%+9.4%+30.5%+172%+38.7%—82.4%0.49−87.2%—$3.2B—
ONTO SemiconductorsOnto Innovation Inc.0/5 short0/3 long−30.0%−32.7%−33.2%+19.8%+58.3%+70.5%+167%+852%59.8%0.63−62.8%—$9.7B—
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How did LRCX do year by year?

This table shows each investment's total return in every full calendar year since 1997, along with where LRCX ranked among its popular alternatives each year. Annual results reveal how consistently each one kept pace with LRCX and how far its good and bad years diverged, detail that multiyear averages tend to smooth over.

Newest year first. Green marks a year in which the fund came out ahead of LRCX; gray means the two finished within a fraction of a point. The rank row places LRCX among the alternatives that traded the full year; dark green is the top quarter and red the bottom quarter.

InvestmentYears ahead of LRCX20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200820072006200520042003200220012000199919981997
LRCX This pageLam Research Corporation—+139%−6.9%+88.6%−40.7%+53.7%+64.2%+119%−24.4%+75.1%+35.3%+1.5%+46.5%+51.0%−2.5%−28.5%+31.9%+84.1%−50.7%−14.6%+41.6%+23.5%−10.5%+199%−53.4%+59.7%−61.0%+527%−39.1%+4.0%
Rank among alternativesTop quarter in 8 of 294 of 2213 of 226 of 2210 of 2212 of 2212 of 222 of 2214 of 229 of 2111 of 207 of 202 of 206 of 2013 of 2013 of 206 of 2014 of 206 of 2014 of 205 of 206 of 208 of 194 of 187 of 182 of 1814 of 141 of 1312 of 128 of 11
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF12 of 29+17.7%+24.9%+26.2%−18.2%+28.7%+18.3%+31.2%−4.6%+21.7%+12.0%+1.2%+13.5%+32.3%+16.0%+1.9%+15.1%+26.4%−36.8%+5.1%+15.9%+4.8%+10.7%+28.2%−21.6%−11.7%−9.8%+20.4%+28.7%+33.5%
MU Micron Technology, Inc.13 of 29+240%−1.0%+71.9%−45.9%+24.2%+39.8%+69.5%−22.8%+87.6%+54.7%−59.5%+60.9%+243%+0.8%−21.6%−24.1%+301%−63.6%−48.0%+4.9%+7.8%−8.3%+38.2%−68.6%−12.7%−8.7%+53.8%+94.9%−10.9%
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation15 of 26+38.9%+171%+239%−50.2%+125%+122%+76.4%−30.8%+82.5%+228%+67.1%+27.4%+33.5%−11.0%−10.0%−17.6%+131%−76.3%+37.9%+102%+55.2%+1.6%+102%−82.8%+308%+39.6%———
AXTI AXT, Inc.10 of 27+653%−9.6%−45.2%−50.3%−7.9%+120%0.0%−50.0%+81.3%+93.5%−11.4%+7.3%−7.1%−32.6%−60.1%+221%+141%−78.2%+31.4%+121%+35.4%−49.2%+72.8%−87.5%−56.4%+89.6%+91.0%——
TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited13 of 28+55.7%+92.0%+41.8%−37.0%+11.7%+91.6%+63.3%−4.3%+37.9%+31.2%+4.9%+31.1%+4.5%+37.7%+7.3%+14.9%+52.9%−16.1%−4.3%+18.9%+27.1%−4.2%+56.7%−54.8%+39.5%−51.0%+290%+13.4%—
CAMT Camtek Ltd.11 of 25+31.7%+18.3%+216%−52.3%+110%+102%+63.1%+20.5%+77.7%+51.7%−28.0%−25.8%+189%−19.8%−38.4%+13.4%+625%−80.0%−59.5%−0.8%−4.1%+54.3%+835%−91.4%−51.2%————
KLAC KLA Corporation12 of 29+94.5%+9.4%+56.0%−11.2%+68.1%+47.9%+104%−12.4%+36.7%+17.0%+2.1%+39.4%+39.0%+2.1%+28.8%+9.9%+69.8%−53.5%−2.7%+1.9%+6.2%−20.3%+65.8%−28.7%+46.6%−39.3%+157%+11.9%+8.9%
ASML ASML Holding N.V.14 of 29+55.8%−7.7%+39.9%−30.5%+64.1%+66.3%+93.2%−9.7%+56.5%+27.9%−17.1%+16.2%+46.9%+19.7%+10.4%+13.2%+90.9%−41.4%+22.3%+22.7%+26.1%−20.6%+140%−51.0%−24.4%−40.5%+273%−9.7%+171%
TER Teradyne, Inc.9 of 29+54.4%+16.5%+24.8%−46.4%+36.8%+76.8%+119%−24.4%+65.8%+24.3%+5.8%+13.4%+4.3%+23.9%−2.9%+30.9%+154%−59.1%−30.9%+2.7%−14.7%−32.9%+95.6%−56.8%−19.1%−43.6%+211%+32.5%+31.3%
AMAT Applied Materials, Inc.13 of 29+59.6%+1.1%+68.0%−37.5%+83.6%+43.3%+89.9%−34.9%+59.8%+75.7%−23.5%+43.7%+58.6%+10.2%−21.9%+3.0%+40.4%−42.1%−2.6%+3.8%+5.4%−23.8%+72.3%−35.0%+5.0%−39.7%+197%+41.7%+67.9%
FORM FormFactor, Inc.6 of 22+26.8%+5.5%+87.6%−51.4%+6.3%+65.6%+84.3%−10.0%+39.7%+24.4%+4.7%+43.1%+31.8%−9.9%−43.0%−59.2%+49.1%−55.9%−11.1%+52.5%−10.0%+37.1%———————
COHU Cohu, Inc.10 of 29−12.8%−24.6%+10.4%−15.9%−0.2%+67.5%+44.3%−26.0%+59.9%+17.6%+3.6%+15.9%−0.8%−2.1%−30.2%+21.1%+17.6%−19.2%−23.1%−10.7%+24.5%−2.1%+31.9%−24.7%+43.3%−54.6%+185%−27.2%+32.7%
INTC Intel Corp.9 of 29+84.0%−59.6%+94.5%−46.6%+6.0%−14.7%+30.7%+4.2%+30.9%+8.7%−2.2%+44.3%+30.9%−12.0%+19.4%+6.3%+43.9%−43.5%+34.2%−17.2%+8.1%−26.6%+107%−50.3%+4.9%−26.9%+39.1%+69.0%+7.4%
ENTG Entegris, Inc.7 of 25−14.6%−17.0%+83.5%−52.5%+44.6%+92.9%+80.8%−7.5%+70.5%+34.9%+0.4%+14.0%+26.3%+5.2%+16.8%+41.4%+142%−74.7%−20.2%+14.9%−5.4%−22.6%+24.8%−6.1%+46.6%————
KLIC Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.10 of 29−0.3%−13.2%+25.4%−25.8%+92.4%+19.4%+36.9%−15.4%+52.6%+36.6%−19.3%+8.7%+11.0%+29.6%+28.4%+33.6%+218%−75.3%−18.4%−5.0%+2.5%−40.0%+152%−66.7%+52.5%−47.1%+140%−4.6%−2.1%
VECO Veeco Instruments Inc.8 of 29+6.6%−13.6%+67.0%−34.7%+64.0%+18.2%+98.3%−50.1%−49.1%+41.8%−41.0%+6.0%+11.6%+41.8%−51.6%+30.0%+421%−62.0%−10.8%+8.1%−17.8%−25.2%+144%−67.9%−10.2%−14.3%−11.9%+142%0.0%
ACLS Axcelis Technologies, Inc.9 of 25+15.0%−46.1%+63.4%+6.4%+156%+20.8%+35.4%−38.0%+97.3%+40.4%+1.2%+4.9%+76.8%+3.8%−61.6%+145%+176%−88.9%+216%+22.2%−41.3%−20.4%+82.2%−56.5%+45.2%————
ICHR Ichor Holdings, Ltd.2 of 9−42.8%−4.2%+25.4%−41.7%+52.7%−9.4%+104%−33.7%+127%————————————————————
NVMI Nova Ltd.10 of 25+66.7%+43.4%+68.2%−44.3%+108%+86.6%+66.1%−12.1%+96.9%+34.3%−5.7%+5.6%+23.3%+8.3%−11.3%+28.6%+1,014%−77.6%−1.5%+13.4%−33.1%−41.0%+292%−64.7%−38.8%————
UCTT Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.10 of 21−29.5%+5.3%+3.0%−42.2%+84.1%+32.7%+177%−63.3%+138%+89.5%−44.8%−7.5%+104%−19.6%−34.4%+33.2%+248%−83.5%−1.2%+70.6%+19.5%————————
ACMR ACM Research, Inc.4 of 8+161%−22.7%+153%−72.9%+5.0%+340%+69.4%+107%—————————————————————
ONTO Onto Innovation Inc.14 of 29−5.3%+9.0%+125%−32.7%+113%+30.1%+33.7%+9.7%−0.6%+65.5%−10.0%−11.7%+32.1%−21.7%+43.6%+13.2%+894%−88.4%+24.6%−28.1%−31.8%+9.6%+251%−78.4%+40.5%−31.4%+158%−4.6%+72.4%
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Risk and diversification

How LRCX has fallen, how it held up in crashes beside the S&P 500 and its popular alternatives, and what moves independently of it.

What were LRCX's worst declines?

A drawdown is the decline from a peak to the lowest point before a new high. This section presents LRCX's five deepest drawdowns since it began trading in 1986, alongside the S&P 500's return over the same dates, and how long each took to recover. Together, these figures show how much an investor could have lost and how long it took to get back to even.

Green means LRCX fell less than the S&P 500 over the same dates. Based on daily closing prices with dividends reinvested.

DuringLRCX fellS&P 500, same datesPeakLowTime to the lowBack at the peakTime to recover
Dot-com bust−87.9%−46.8%Apr 2000Oct 20022.5 yearsNov 20064.1 years
No named crash−87.7%+82.7%Jul 1995Oct 19983.3 yearsOct 199912 months
No named crash−75.3%—Aug 1987Aug 19903 yearsOct 199114 months
2008 financial crisis−75.0%−46.0%Jul 2007Nov 200816 monthsMay 20145.5 years
2022 bear market−56.4%−22.1%Jan 2022Oct 20229 monthsJul 20239 months

How did LRCX do in stock market crashes?

This section measures how far LRCX, the S&P 500 and each alternative fell from peak to trough during every major market crash since 2000. A smaller decline means an investment held up better, and comparing results across crashes shows whether that resilience was consistent or a one-off.

Newest crash first. Each figure is the fund's deepest fall within the crash window; green means a smaller fall than LRCX.

InvestmentHeld up better2023 regional bank crisisMar 20232022 bear marketJan 2022Covid crashFeb 2020Late-2018 sell-offSep 2018February 2018 volatility shockFeb 20182015 China and oil sell-offAug 20152011 euro debt crisisJul 20112010 flash crashMay 20102008 financial crisisOct 2007Dot-com bustMar 2000
LRCX This pageLam Research Corporation—−3.3%−55.1%−43.7%−22.9%−9.5%−20.5%−20.1%−2.2%−73.3%−87.9%
SPY S&P 500State Street SPDR S&P 500 ETF9 of 10−3.4%−24.5%−33.7%−19.3%−6.5%−12.8%−17.9%−1.5%−55.2%−47.5%
MU Micron Technology, Inc.3 of 10−5.3%−49.6%−42.5%−36.6%−8.8%−49.4%−46.5%−2.0%−84.2%−87.8%
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation2 of 10−5.0%−60.7%−37.5%−55.9%−8.5%−25.3%−23.8%−1.7%−85.1%−89.7%
AXTI AXT, Inc.2 of 10−11.8%−55.5%−53.4%−46.2%−3.8%−14.3%−49.7%−7.8%−88.1%−97.5%
TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited8 of 10−3.9%−54.3%−23.3%−21.4%−9.3%−13.2%−15.7%0.0%−48.0%−82.4%
CAMT Camtek Ltd.2 of 9−5.6%−52.0%−46.5%−27.1%−10.9%−42.1%−47.6%0.0%−90.8%—
KLAC KLA Corporation7 of 10−5.9%−37.6%−33.8%−21.6%−7.5%−13.5%−23.0%−2.8%−71.8%−73.2%
ASML ASML Holding N.V.5 of 10−2.9%−48.4%−37.9%−24.4%−7.5%−22.1%−17.7%−2.7%−64.1%−90.0%
TER Teradyne, Inc.3 of 10−1.9%−56.6%−34.8%−24.6%−10.7%−18.3%−28.2%−2.5%−79.2%−93.4%
AMAT Applied Materials, Inc.5 of 10−3.6%−54.2%−43.6%−26.4%−9.7%−18.8%−24.5%−1.6%−61.7%−82.0%
FORM FormFactor, Inc.2 of 9−3.1%−45.2%−35.8%−22.6%−11.6%−31.9%−38.0%−3.5%−72.9%—
COHU Cohu, Inc.6 of 10−2.4%−36.8%−57.1%−42.2%−6.0%−16.3%−30.1%−6.3%−64.4%−82.1%
INTC Intel Corp.10 of 10−1.0%−54.1%−33.5%−13.0%−6.7%−19.7%−16.2%−0.9%−55.2%−82.3%
ENTG Entegris, Inc.3 of 9−7.8%−45.8%−32.7%−19.3%−9.2%−28.2%−34.8%−6.1%−94.5%—
KLIC Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.4 of 10−3.1%−41.2%−28.8%−28.2%−7.2%−18.9%−33.3%−6.0%−87.0%−95.3%
VECO Veeco Instruments Inc.1 of 10−3.4%−46.5%−53.2%−39.2%−14.2%−30.2%−42.7%−4.0%−81.0%−91.9%
ACLS Axcelis Technologies, Inc.1 of 9−6.5%−41.9%−52.0%−23.6%−12.3%−34.3%−40.7%−7.8%−97.1%—
ICHR Ichor Holdings, Ltd.1 of 5−5.9%−54.6%−58.5%−31.9%−25.1%—————
NVMI Nova Ltd.5 of 9−1.8%−50.1%−31.6%−20.3%−2.8%−27.7%−44.5%−3.9%−86.4%—
UCTT Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.0 of 9−4.7%−58.8%−52.6%−47.9%−15.2%−43.2%−53.0%−3.3%−94.3%—
ACMR ACM Research, Inc.2 of 5−5.9%−73.0%−59.6%−20.6%−5.7%—————
ONTO Onto Innovation Inc.4 of 10−4.6%−44.0%−45.9%−31.8%−5.5%−18.6%−28.4%0.0%−92.6%−96.8%
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How closely does LRCX move with the S&P 500?

Upside capture measures how much of the S&P 500's gains an investment kept in the months the market rose, and downside capture how much of its losses it took in the months the market fell. An investment that captures more of the gains than the losses has compounded ahead of the market over time. This section compares LRCX with its popular alternatives on both measures, and on beta (how strongly each has moved with the market), over the past 10 years.

Monthly total returns over the past 10 years, measured against SPY. 100% capture or a beta of 1.00 means moving in line with the S&P 500. Green marks a better figure than LRCX's: more upside, less downside or a higher capture ratio. Sorted by capture ratio.

InvestmentUpside captureDownside captureCapture ratioBeta
LRCX This pageLam Research Corporation183%104%1.751.56
KLAC KLA Corporation152%59%2.571.32
CAMT Camtek Ltd.191%96%1.991.60
TSM Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited138%75%1.841.15
MU Micron Technology, Inc.204%114%1.791.75
NVDA NVIDIA Corporation248%140%1.771.83
FORM FormFactor, Inc.132%81%1.641.29
NVMI Nova Ltd.179%110%1.621.46
AMAT Applied Materials, Inc.152%97%1.581.51
ONTO Onto Innovation Inc.139%92%1.501.41
TER Teradyne, Inc.167%121%1.371.53
ENTG Entegris, Inc.123%89%1.371.30
ASML ASML Holding N.V.170%132%1.291.44
KLIC Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.131%111%1.181.44
ACLS Axcelis Technologies, Inc.151%136%1.101.67
AXTI AXT, Inc.185%171%1.082.03
UCTT Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.165%156%1.061.93
COHU Cohu, Inc.122%116%1.051.65
INTC Intel Corp.98%100%0.981.43
VECO Veeco Instruments Inc.76%84%0.901.38
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What diversifies LRCX?

Correlation measures how closely two investments move together, on a scale from 1 (in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to -1 (in opposite directions). This section lists large ETFs and stocks whose returns have had a low correlation with LRCX's. Because such investments tend not to fall at the same time, pairing LRCX with them can reduce a portfolio's overall swings.

Only ETFs with at least $1.0B in assets and stocks worth at least $10B, with a correlation below 0.5 over the past 5 years and a positive return, are included, ranked by Sharpe ratio; funds that hold the same thing are shown once. The year columns are the years in which LRCX lost money. The last two columns show a portfolio that is 80% LRCX and 20% the other investment, rebalanced monthly.

ETFs

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2024202220182012201120082007200420022000199880/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
LRCX Lam Research Corporation (this page)1.00+335%0.84−6.9%−40.7%−24.4%−2.5%−28.5%−50.7%−14.6%−10.5%−53.4%−61.0%−39.1%48.4%+43.4%
LVHI InternationalFranklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF0.22+119%1.48+15.9%+3.8%−5.2%————————39.2%+40.0%
DXJ InternationalWisdomTree Japan Hedged Equity Fund0.44+225%1.34+29.8%+6.0%−19.8%+19.6%−16.1%−20.8%−7.4%————39.9%+42.0%
GCOW InternationalPacer Global Cash Cows Dividend ETF0.17+95.7%1.06+3.5%+5.5%−8.0%————————39.3%+39.3%
EMLP Broad MarketFirst Trust North American Energy Infrastructure Fund0.21+103%1.06+33.4%+10.4%−8.7%————————39.4%+39.7%
HDV Dividend & IncomeiShares Core High Dividend ETF0.22+86.8%1.03+14.2%+7.0%−3.0%+9.6%———————39.4%+38.9%
XLE EnergyState Street Energy Select Sector SPDR ETF0.00+178%0.94+5.6%+64.4%−18.2%+5.2%+2.8%−39.0%+36.8%+33.8%−14.8%+24.4%—39.0%+42.3%
GLD CommoditiesSPDR Gold Shares0.11+120%0.93+26.7%−0.8%−1.9%+6.6%+9.6%+4.9%+30.4%————39.2%+40.6%
VTV Broad MarketVanguard Morningstar Value ETF0.46+78.0%0.91+16.0%−2.1%−5.5%+15.2%+1.1%−35.9%−0.1%————40.1%+38.6%

Stocks

InvestmentCorrelation5Y returnSharpe2024202220182012201120082007200420022000199880/20 mix volatility80/20 mix annual return
LRCX Lam Research Corporation (this page)1.00+335%0.84−6.9%−40.7%−24.4%−2.5%−28.5%−50.7%−14.6%−10.5%−53.4%−61.0%−39.1%48.4%+43.4%
CAH Medical - DistributionCardinal Health, Inc.0.28+471%1.54+19.0%+54.1%−24.5%+3.8%+8.1%−39.6%−9.8%−4.7%−8.3%+108%+51.7%40.5%+44.8%
CLS Hardware, Equipment & PartsCelestica Inc.0.39+2,780%1.43+215%+1.3%−16.3%+11.2%−24.4%−20.5%−25.7%−6.4%−65.1%−2.3%—44.6%+58.7%
MCK Medical - DistributionMcKesson Corporation-0.01+397%1.41+23.7%+51.8%−28.4%+25.6%+11.8%−40.4%+29.7%−1.4%−27.2%+61.2%+46.9%39.0%+44.8%
FIX Engineering & ConstructionComfort Systems USA, Inc.0.42+1,452%1.41+107%+17.0%+0.8%+15.7%−17.0%−15.2%+2.1%+40.0%−9.4%−71.1%−9.5%43.3%+54.2%
MPC Oil & Gas Refining & MarketingMarathon Petroleum Corporation0.02+660%1.39−4.0%+86.6%−8.2%+94.3%———————39.4%+48.1%
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Common questions

What was LRCX's worst drawdown?

LRCX's deepest decline since it began trading in 1986 was 87.9%, from April 2000 to October 2002. It took about four years from the low to climb back to its old high.

What were LRCX's best and worst years?

Over 29 full calendar years, LRCX's best year was 1999, when it returned 527%. Its worst was 2000, with a return of -61.0%.

Is there a better investment than LRCX?

Among LRCX's popular alternatives, KLAC earned more than LRCX with less volatility over the past 5 years: 35.3% a year at 46.9% volatility, against 34.2% a year at 50.1%. Looking beyond its popular alternatives, ASX (semiconductors) and AVGO (semiconductors) earned more than LRCX with less volatility over the past 5 years. ASX returned 47.3% a year at 43.3% volatility, against 34.2% a year at 50.1%.

Is LRCX more volatile than the S&P 500?

Yes. LRCX's volatility over the past 5 years was 50.1%, 2.9 times the S&P 500's 17.2%. Volatility measures how widely returns swing around their average: in roughly two years out of three, LRCX's return lands within 50.1% of its average, either way. The higher it is, the rougher the ride and the harder it is to hold through a slump.

What is LRCX's Sharpe ratio?

LRCX's Sharpe ratio over the past 5 years was 0.84, against 0.78 for the S&P 500, so LRCX earned more for each unit of risk than an index fund did. The Sharpe ratio is the return earned above cash for each unit of volatility: two investments with the same return are not equal if one got there with far bigger swings.

How correlated is LRCX with the S&P 500?

Over the past 5 years, LRCX's monthly returns had a correlation of 0.60 with the S&P 500. Correlation runs from 1 (moving in lockstep) through 0 (unrelated) to −1 (moving in opposite directions). They often move together: some diversification next to an index fund, but not a cushion. In the table, the correlation column measures each option against LRCX instead: the lower it is, the more that option would diversify a LRCX holding.

What are the best alternatives to LRCX?

Of the 21 popular alternatives we compared, three outperformed LRCX in at least 3 of 5 short-term and 2 of 3 long-term timeframes, with dividends reinvested: MU, NVDA and AXTI.

Did LRCX outperform the S&P 500?

LRCX finished ahead of the S&P 500 (SPY) in 16 of 29 full calendar years. In 2025, it returned +139%, against +17.7% for the index.

How did LRCX do in stock market crashes?

LRCX fell less than the S&P 500 (SPY) in none of the ten major crashes it has traded through, and further in nine. The clearest case was the dot-com bust, when LRCX fell 87.9% and the S&P 500 fell 47.5%.

What diversifies LRCX?

These had a low correlation with LRCX over the past 5 years and still earned a positive 5-year return: among large ETFs, LVHI (correlation 0.22), DXJ (correlation 0.44) and GCOW (correlation 0.17); among large stocks, CAH (correlation 0.28), CLS (correlation 0.39) and MCK (correlation -0.01). A correlation near zero means the two have moved largely independently.

How we measure

More research

Popular alternatives to LRCX

Other stocks and ETFs