Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) Sees Significant Decrease in Short Interest

Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) saw a large decrease in short interest in the month of February. As of February 27th, there was short interest totaling 26,107,698 shares, a decrease of 20.7% from the February 12th total of 32,943,284 shares. Currently, 2.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 8,701,846 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.0 days. Based on an average trading volume of 8,701,846 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.0 days. Currently, 2.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short.

Insider Activity at Lam Research

In other Lam Research news, Director Eric Brandt sold 35,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, February 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $225.60, for a total transaction of $7,896,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 253,705 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $57,235,848. This trade represents a 12.12% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Douglas R. Bettinger sold 50,057 shares of Lam Research stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $224.03, for a total value of $11,214,269.71. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 1,081,705 shares in the company, valued at approximately $242,334,371.15. This trade represents a 4.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders have sold 130,886 shares of company stock worth $29,658,802 over the last quarter. 0.31% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Lam Research

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. PMV Capital Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Lam Research in the fourth quarter valued at about $25,000. Stance Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Lam Research during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Bayban acquired a new stake in shares of Lam Research during the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Howard Hughes Medical Institute acquired a new stake in shares of Lam Research during the 2nd quarter valued at about $27,000. Finally, Triumph Capital Management bought a new stake in shares of Lam Research in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $27,000. 84.61% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting Lam Research

Here are the key news stories impacting Lam Research this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Lam is engaging with BE Semiconductor Industries (BESI) to boost advanced‑packaging capabilities and content — a strategic M&A angle that would accelerate Lam’s exposure to fast‑growing advanced packaging markets. Lam Research BESI Talks Highlight Push Into Advanced Packaging Content — Also reported that BESI has drawn takeover interest with Lam among suitors. Exclusive‑BESI attracts takeover interest as advanced chip packaging demand surges
• Positive Sentiment: Lam and IBM announced a long‑term collaboration to develop processes/materials for sub‑1nm logic and High‑NA EUV — strengthening Lam’s roadmap exposure to next‑gen logic and AI chips. Lam Research IBM Alliance Targets Sub 1nm Logic And AI Chip Demand
• Positive Sentiment: Management is targeting growth in foundry and logic markets and is aiming for gross margins above 50% via pricing and mix — a direct driver of EPS leverage if demand stays strong. Lam Research Corp. (LRCX) Targets Growth in Foundry and Logic Markets
• Positive Sentiment: Analysts have lifted targets and reiterated conviction after solid results and outlook; Barclays raised its price target recently (supportive to near‑term sentiment). Is Lam Research One of the Best Large‑Cap Tech Stocks to Invest In?
• Positive Sentiment: Industry analysis highlights a supply‑constrained WFE cycle and strong AI/advanced‑packaging demand that underpin a multi‑year capex runway for Lam. Lam Research: Supply‑Constrained WFE Cycle Sets Up A Multi‑Year Runway
• Neutral Sentiment: Market momentum: LRCX has rallied ~33% over three months on earnings beats and AI/packaging demand—helpful context but not a new catalyst. LRCX Stock Soars 33% in Three Months
• Negative Sentiment: Valuation concerns: some analysts/commentaries warn the stock may be extended and expect a re‑rating or consolidation — a risk if WFE momentum or execution disappoints. Lam Research: Wonderful Company, But The Price Needs To Come Back To Earth

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Lam Research from $250.00 to $290.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. HSBC upped their price target on shares of Lam Research from $181.00 to $221.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Lam Research from $244.00 to $254.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 25th. Evercore set a $275.00 price objective on shares of Lam Research in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, New Street Research increased their target price on shares of Lam Research from $195.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, twenty-eight have issued a Buy rating and six have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $245.35.

Lam Research Stock Up 1.3%

Lam Research stock traded up $2.71 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $212.20. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 8,903,580 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,542,902. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $224.75 and its 200 day moving average is $173.18. The company has a market cap of $264.99 billion, a PE ratio of 43.48, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 1.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.37, a current ratio of 2.26 and a quick ratio of 1.61. Lam Research has a 52-week low of $56.32 and a 52-week high of $256.68.

Lam Research (NASDAQ:LRCX) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The semiconductor company reported $1.27 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.17 by $0.10. The company had revenue of $5.34 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $5.23 billion. Lam Research had a return on equity of 62.81% and a net margin of 30.22%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 22.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.91 EPS. Lam Research has set its Q3 2026 guidance at 1.250-1.450 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Lam Research will post 3.71 earnings per share for the current year.

Lam Research Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 8th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 4th will be paid a $0.26 dividend. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.5%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 4th. Lam Research’s dividend payout ratio is currently 21.31%.

Lam Research Company Profile

Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ: LRCX) is a global supplier of wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry. Founded in 1980 by David K. Lam and headquartered in Fremont, California, the company develops and manufactures systems used in multiple stages of semiconductor device production, including thin film deposition, plasma etch, wafer cleaning and related process modules and automation.

Lam’s product portfolio covers core process technologies employed by logic and memory manufacturers, with equipment designed to support advanced-node patterning, 3D NAND and other emerging device architectures.