Industry Overview - Global demand for consumer electronics is projected to reach $905.9 billion by 2026, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 5.8% from $856.24 billion in 2025 [2] - The upcoming surge in gadget demand will be fueled by advancements in AI, 5G connectivity, immersive computing, and smarter devices [3] - The semiconductor industry is central to this growth, with increased demand for memory, processors, interconnects, and manufacturing tools as AI capabilities expand [4] Investment Opportunities - Companies supplying hardware for next-generation gadgets are positioned to benefit, including those producing advanced processors, memory chips, interconnect components, and manufacturing equipment [5] - Notable companies include NVIDIA Corporation, Micron Technology, Lam Research, and Amphenol Corporation, which play complementary roles in the hardware ecosystem [6] Company Highlights Micron Technology - A leading manufacturer of memory chips, Micron produces DRAM and NAND flash memory, essential for modern gadgets and AI servers [8] - The demand for Micron's high-bandwidth memory (HBM) is expected to remain strong, with a projected revenue increase of 89.3% for fiscal 2026 and 22.8% for fiscal 2027 [10] - Micron currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 and a Growth Score of A, indicating strong growth potential [10] Amphenol Corporation - Amphenol is a major supplier of interconnect products, benefiting from rising demand for connectors and fiber products used in smartphones and data centers [11][12] - The company is expected to see revenue growth of 49.4% in 2025 and 12.4% in 2026, with earnings growth of 74.1% for 2025 and 21.4% for 2026 [14] - Amphenol currently has a Zacks Rank 1 and a Growth Score of B [14] Lam Research - Lam Research provides wafer fabrication equipment critical for semiconductor manufacturing, particularly for AI and advanced packaging technologies [15][16] - The company anticipates revenue growth of 14.1% for fiscal 2026 and 12.5% for fiscal 2027, with earnings growth of 15.7% for fiscal 2026 and 16.5% for fiscal 2027 [17] - Lam Research holds a Zacks Rank 2 and a Growth Score of A [17] NVIDIA Corporation - NVIDIA is a leader in high-performance GPUs, essential for AI computing and consumer gadgets [18] - The company is experiencing rapid growth in data center revenues, with projected revenue increases of 62.4% for fiscal 2026 and 43.2% for fiscal 2027 [20] - NVIDIA currently has a Zacks Rank 2 and a Growth Score of B, positioning it well for future growth [20]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint is that the AI development is in the middle of a decade-long structural transformation, with overall industry trends remaining upward, led by companies with clear competitive advantages [1] - Global semiconductor sales are expected to grow by 30% by 2026, surpassing the significant milestone of $1 trillion in annual sales for the first time [1] - Companies with high gross margins and solid market positions will continue to be the focus of capital allocation [1] Group 2 - Six semiconductor and AI-related companies are identified as the most confident investment targets for 2026: Nvidia, Broadcom, Lam Research, KLA, Analog Devices, and Cadence Design Systems [1]

Core Insights - Janus Henderson Global Technology and Innovation Fund reported a strong performance in Q3 2025, with a return of 9.19%, outperforming the S&P 500 Index's 8.12% but underperforming the MSCI All Country World Information Technology Index's 12.76% [1] Group 1: Fund Performance - The technology sector showed robust results in Q3 2025, driven by the semiconductor complex and hardware manufacturers [1] - The fund's top five holdings reflect its best investment choices for 2025 [1] Group 2: Lam Research Corporation - Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) reported a one-month return of 15.29% and a 52-week gain of 137.25%, closing at $175.16 per share with a market capitalization of $220.882 billion on December 23, 2025 [2] - The company is recognized for its focus on semiconductor processing equipment, particularly in memory chips, which are now benefiting from increased demand due to AI's growing computational needs [3] - Lam Research Corporation's revenue for the September quarter was $5.3 billion, marking a 3% increase from the previous quarter, with a rise in hedge fund interest from 85 to 93 portfolios [4]

Core Insights - Lam Research (LRCX) has shown a strong performance in the latest trading session, closing at $175.27 with a +1.74% increase, outperforming the S&P 500's gain of 0.64% [1] - Over the past month, LRCX shares have appreciated by 20.76%, significantly exceeding the Computer and Technology sector's gain of 1.98% and the S&P 500's gain of 3% [1] Earnings Expectations - Analysts expect Lam Research to report earnings of $1.15 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 26.37% [2] - The consensus estimate for revenue is projected at $5.22 billion, indicating a 19.23% increase from the same quarter last year [2] Full Year Projections - For the full year, earnings are projected at $4.79 per share and revenue at $21.04 billion, representing increases of +15.7% and +14.11% respectively from the previous year [3] - Recent changes in analyst estimates suggest a positive outlook for Lam Research's business performance and profit potential [3] Analyst Ratings and Performance - The Zacks Rank system currently rates Lam Research as 2 (Buy), with a historical average annual return of +25% for stocks rated 1 since 1988 [5] - Over the last 30 days, the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has increased by 0.05% [5] Valuation Metrics - Lam Research is trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 35.97, which is above the industry average of 34.78, indicating a premium valuation [6] - The company has a PEG ratio of 1.77, compared to the industry average PEG ratio of 1.94 [6] Industry Context - The Electronics - Semiconductors industry, part of the Computer and Technology sector, ranks in the top 37% of all industries according to the Zacks Industry Rank [7] - Research indicates that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [7]

Group 1 - Arlo Technologies (ARLO) has shown a year-to-date performance increase of approximately 25.6%, outperforming the average return of 25.2% for the Computer and Technology sector [4] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ARLO's full-year earnings has increased by 228.6% over the past quarter, indicating a positive trend in analyst sentiment [4] - Arlo Technologies is ranked 1 (Strong Buy) in the Zacks Rank system, which focuses on earnings estimates and revisions [3] Group 2 - Arlo Technologies is part of the Internet - Software industry, which consists of 168 companies and is currently ranked 53 in the Zacks Industry Rank [6] - The Internet - Software industry has gained an average of 9.7% year-to-date, with ARLO outperforming this average [6] - In comparison, Lam Research (LRCX), another stock in the Computer and Technology sector, has returned 138.5% year-to-date and is part of the Electronics - Semiconductors industry, which is ranked 90 [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) has experienced significant stock performance, driven by the AI boom and strong demand for its wafer fabrication equipment, reaching a 52-week high of $173.58 [1][10]. Stock Performance - Year-to-date, Lam Research shares have increased by 138.5%, significantly outperforming the Zacks Electronics – Semiconductors industry growth of 38.2% [2]. - Compared to major semiconductor manufacturing tool providers, LRCX has outperformed KLA Corporation (KLAC), Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT), and ASML Holding (ASML), which saw stock increases of 97.7%, 57.6%, and 52.3%, respectively [2]. Demand Drivers - The company is benefiting from the rising demand for AI and data center chips, which require advanced fabrication technologies [6]. - In 2024, shipments for gate-all-around nodes and advanced packaging exceeded $1 billion, with expectations to triple to over $3 billion by 2025 [7]. Financial Performance - Lam Research reported a 28% revenue growth year-over-year, reaching $5.32 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 2% [11]. - Non-GAAP earnings for the first quarter were $1.26 per share, exceeding consensus estimates by 4.1%, with a year-over-year increase of 46.5% [12]. - The operating margin improved to 35%, up 410 basis points from the previous year, aided by cost controls and expansion in Asia [12]. Future Growth Expectations - Analysts project continued growth, with Zacks Consensus Estimates indicating a year-over-year revenue increase of 14.1% for fiscal 2026 and 12.3% for fiscal 2027 [14]. - Earnings per share are expected to grow by 15.7% and 16.5% for fiscal 2026 and 2027, respectively [14]. Valuation - Despite the strong year-to-date performance, LRCX trades at a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of 33.34, slightly below the industry average of 33.80 [15]. - Compared to major semiconductor equipment providers, LRCX has a lower P/E multiple than ASML but is at a premium to KLAC and AMAT [18]. Investment Recommendation - Lam Research's solid financial performance, focus on AI-driven growth, and reasonable valuation make it a compelling investment option [19].

Core Viewpoint - Lam Research (LRCX) shares experienced a significant increase of 4.6% to $172.27, driven by strong trading volume and positive revisions in target prices from financial research firms due to rising demand for wafer fabrication equipment used in AI and high-performance computing chips [1] Group 1: Company Performance - Lam Research is projected to report quarterly earnings of $1.15 per share, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 26.4%, with expected revenues of $5.22 billion, up 19.2% from the previous year [2] - The consensus EPS estimate for Lam Research has remained stable over the last 30 days, indicating that the stock's price movement may not sustain without changes in earnings estimate revisions [3] Group 2: Industry Context - Lam Research is part of the Zacks Electronics - Semiconductors industry, which includes Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. (ALGM), whose shares rose 1.1% to $26.7 and have returned 15.9% over the past month [3] - Allegro MicroSystems has an unchanged consensus EPS estimate of $0.14, representing a 100% increase compared to the previous year's EPS, and currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [4]

Group 1: Lam Research Corp (LRCX) - Lam Research Corp has been a strong performer among large-cap semiconductor stocks, with shares trading at $172.27, up 137% year to date [2] - The rally is driven by a recovery in wafer fabrication equipment spending, estimated to reach about $105 billion in 2025, significantly up from the previous year [4] - Lam's focus on deposition and etch tools for advanced logic and memory manufacturing has positioned it favorably amid increased capital spending by chipmakers targeting artificial intelligence and high-performance computing [4] - The company has consistently beaten earnings expectations, with revenue growth accelerating into the high single-digit to low double-digit range year over year, and operating margins remaining above 30% [5] - Lam's free cash flow reached $5.4 billion in fiscal 2025, approximately 29% of revenue, indicating strong internal cash generation [5] - Cramer has noted Lam's valuation as attractive, describing the shares as inexpensive relative to their earnings power and industry position [6] Group 2: Expedia Group (EXPE) - Expedia Group has provided significant shareholder value in 2025, benefiting from a recovery in travel demand and improved operational performance, with shares trading at $289.25, up 56% year to date [7] - The company reported revenue of $4.41 billion in Q3 2025, a 9% year-over-year increase, and adjusted earnings per share of $7.57, reflecting a 23% increase from the prior year [10] - Gross bookings rose approximately 12% to $30.73 billion, and booked room nights increased by 11% to 108.2 million, indicating sustained consumer engagement [11] - Cramer highlighted Expedia's relative valuation, noting it trades at a lower earnings multiple compared to competitors like Booking Holdings, which supports interest in the stock despite industry challenges [10]

17 December 2025 U.S. Semiconductors and Semiconductor Capital Equipment Bernstein Semi Cycle Tearsheet: Why overcomplicate it? Stacy A. Rasgon, Ph.D. +1 213 559 5917 stacy.rasgon@bernsteinsg.com Alrick Shaw +1 917 344 8454 alrick.shaw@bernsteinsg.com Arpad von Nemes +1 917 344 8461 arpad.vonnemes@bernsteinsg.com How quickly narratives shift…The steam has come out of the AI trade in recent months as investors more fully wonder when the music might stop (or if we're there already). Memory has come off of one ...

Core Insights - Lam Research Corporation (NASDAQ:LRCX) experienced a significant stock price increase of 6.27%, closing at $164.70, driven by positive investor sentiment following bullish ratings and price target upgrades from investment firms [1][2]. Company Performance - The company reported a 40% increase in net income for the third quarter, rising to $1.57 billion from $1.12 billion year-on-year [4]. - Revenues also saw a substantial growth of 27%, reaching $5.3 billion compared to $4.17 billion in the same period last year [5]. Analyst Ratings and Price Targets - Mizuho raised its price target for Lam Research to $200, reflecting a 21.4% upside from the latest closing price, and issued an "outperform" rating [2][3]. - B. Riley increased its price target to $195, maintaining a "buy" recommendation, citing confidence in the company's memory exposure and leadership in etching tools [3]. - Jefferies also maintained a "buy" recommendation for Lam Research with a price target of $200 [3].