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Lam Research (LRCX) Q1 Earnings Beat, Revenues Rise Y/Y

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Lam Research Corporation (LRCX - Free Report) reported first-quarter fiscal 2023 non-GAAP earnings of $10.42 per share, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 9.2%. The figure increased 24.6% from the year-ago fiscal quarter’s reading.

Revenues improved 17.9% year over year to $5.07 billion. Further, the figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.89 billion.

Top-line growth was driven by strong momentum in both systems and customer support businesses.

Lam Research’s system revenues were $3.18 billion (62.7% of the total revenues), up 8.8% from the year-ago fiscal quarter’s figure.

In the Customer Support Business Group, revenues for the reported quarter were $1.89 billion (37.3%), up 37.2% year-ago fiscal quarter’s number.

Solid execution and improving supply-chain conditions remained tailwinds. LRCX remains optimistic about its technological advancements and manufacturing efficiency.

However, the imposition of new export regulations on Chinese chip companies remains a major headwind. The export curbs are expected to hurt the wafer fabrication equipment (WFE) spending in the remainder of 2022 and 2023.

For 2022, the WFE spending is estimated to be in the low $90-billion range. The same is anticipated to fall more than 20% in 2023 from the 2022 level.

Coming to price performance, Lam Research has lost 54.1% on a year-to-date basis against the industry’s decline of 48.1%.

Lam Research Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Lam Research Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

Lam Research Corporation price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Lam Research Corporation Quote

Regions in Detail

China, Korea and Taiwan accounted for 30%, 17% and 22% of Lam Research’s total revenues for the fiscal first quarter, respectively. Additionally, Japan, Southeast Asia, the United States and Europe accounted for 9%, 11%, 6% and 5%, respectively.

Operating Details

The non-GAAP gross margin was 46%, flat with the year-ago fiscal quarter’s level.

Non-GAAP operating expenses were $647.2 million, up 10.4% from the prior-year fiscal quarter’s reading. As a percentage of revenues, the figure contracted 80 basis points (bps) from the year-earlier fiscal quarter’s level to 12.8%.

The non-GAAP operating margin was 33.3%, expanding 90 bps from the year-ago fiscal quarter’s level.

Balance Sheet & Cash Flow

As of Sep 25, 2022, cash and cash equivalents, and short-term investments increased to $4.38 billion from $3.65 billion as of Jun 26, 2022.

Cash flow from operating activities was $1.2 billion for the reported quarter, significantly up from $443.9 million in the previous fiscal quarter. Capital expenditure was $140 million in first-quarter fiscal 2023 compared with $125.7 million in fourth-quarter fiscal 2022.

In the reported quarter, Lam Research paid out dividends of $206 million and repurchased shares worth $110 million.

Guidance

For second-quarter fiscal 2023, LRCX expects revenues of $5.1 billion (+/- $300 million). The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the same is pegged at $4.94 billion.

The non-GAAP gross margin is projected at 44.5% (+/-1%), while the non-GAAP operating margin is expected to be 31.5% (+/-1%).

Non-GAAP earnings are projected to be $10.00 (+/- 75 cents) per share on a diluted share count of 136 million. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for non-GAAP earnings per share is pegged at $9.57.

Zacks Rank and Stocks to Consider

Currently, Lam Research carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).

Investors interested in the broader Zacks Computer & Technology sector can consider some better-ranked stocks like Asure Software (ASUR - Free Report) , Aspen Technology (AZPN - Free Report) and Amdocs (DOX - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Asure Software has lost 14% in the year-to-date period. The long-term earnings growth rate for ASUR is currently projected at 32.8%.

Aspen Technology has returned 62.4% in the year-to-date period. The long-term earnings growth rate for AZPN is currently projected at 18.2%.

Amdocs has gained 8.9% in the year-to-date period. The long-term earnings growth rate for DOX is currently projected at 11.5%.

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