Lam Research Soars on AI Equipment Boom as Analysts Lift Targets

Overview

• Stifel raised its price target to $250 and RBC set $260 in mid-January, while Goldman Sachs moved to $180 and Mizuho to $220, all citing AI, memory and foundry spending.
• Shares have surged, with Insider Monkey noting a 194% gain over the past year and fresh 2026 strength as Jim Cramer highlights demand he characterizes as a shortage for Lam’s tools.
• Forbes reports management flagged a near-term sequential gross-margin step-down to about 48.5% tied to customer mix and tariffs, following a 50.6% peak in the prior quarter.
• Company commentary points to China comprising less than 30% of 2026 revenue with an estimated $600 million impact from U.S. rules, and competitor signals suggest channel digestion risk in China.
• Cramer relayed a Lynx Equity view that beat-and-raise expectations may already be priced in, warning of potential near-term stock volatility even as longer-term demand looks strong.