Compare StocksGS vs LRCX

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS) vs Lam Research Corporation (LRCX)

GS
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
$809.50
VS
LRCX
Lam Research Corporation
$233.99

Rewards

GS
  • Gross margin of 82.9% indicates strong pricing power — typical of businesses with significant intellectual property or brand strength.
  • Share count has been reduced by 11% over the past 4 years through buybacks, increasing each share's claim on earnings.
  • Each dollar of retained earnings has created $5.60 of market value — management is an exceptional capital allocator.
LRCX
  • Lam Research Corporation has maintained ROIC above 15% for 4 consecutive years, indicating a durable competitive advantage.
  • Lam Research Corporation scores 81/100 on the Economic Moat Score (Wide Moat), with margin stability as the strongest competitive dimension.
  • Free cash flow has grown at a 28.5% CAGR over the past 4 years, demonstrating strong earnings power growth.

Risks

GS
  • The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. scores only 26/100 on the Economic Moat Score, suggesting limited durable competitive advantages.
  • High leverage (5.96x debt/equity) combined with thin interest coverage (-1.0x) poses financial risk.
  • Altman Z-Score of 0.25 places the company in the distress zone — financial patterns resemble those of companies that experienced bankruptcy.
LRCX
  • Buybacks have been poorly timed — 3 out of 4 years involved repurchases at relatively expensive valuations.
  • FCF yield of 1.6% is below 3%, meaning the market is pricing in substantial future growth to justify the current price.
  • Trailing P/E of 48.0x is 88% above the historical average of 25.5x — the stock trades at a premium to its own history.

Key Valuation Metrics

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GS
LRCX
Valuation
N/A
Free Cash Flow
$4.82B
N/A
FCF Yield
1.64%
15.77
Trailing P/E
48.05
12.45
Forward P/E
33.89
Quality & Moat
2.06%
ROIC
37.60%
13.00%
ROE
52.81%
82.88%
Gross Margin
49.80%
0.91
PEG Ratio
1.30
Balance Sheet Safety
5.96
Debt / Equity
0.44
N/A
Interest Coverage
N/A
N/A
Net Debt / EBITDA
-0.23
2.22%
Dividend Yield
0.44%
GS: 5Ties: 1LRCX: 3
GSLRCX

Historical Fundamentals

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GS

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

LRCX

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

Price ÷ Earnings Per Share — how many years of current earnings you're paying for at today's price. Lower P/E may indicate undervaluation.

$1 Retained Earnings Test

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GS
$5.60
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$26.00B
Δ Market Cap
+$145.60B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer
LRCX
$15.03
created per $1 retained over 3 years
Exceptional Value Creator
Σ Retained
$10.62B
Δ Market Cap
+$159.61B
Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Buffett's "$1 Test": For every $1 of earnings retained, has management created at least $1 of market value?
> $1 created per $1 retained = Value Creator · < $1 created = Value Destroyer

Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis

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GS
65.1% Margin of Safety
Price is 65.1% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $809.50
Fair Value: $2319.70
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued
LRCX
24.9% Margin of Safety
Price is 24.9% below estimated fair value
Current Price: $233.99
Fair Value: $311.51
Strongly undervalued
Undervalued
Fairly valued
Overvalued
Strongly overvalued

Reverse DCF — Market-Implied Growth

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GS

Requires positive FCF to compute implied growth rate.

LRCX

What growth rate is the market pricing in at $234?

+21.4%
Market-Implied Owner Earnings Growth
Standard FCF implies +22.9%

The market implies +21.4% Owner Earnings growth, above historical trends.

Standard FCF implies a demanding +22.9%, reflecting heavy growth investment.

Economic Moat Score

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GS
26/100
No Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

No durable moat detected, though reinvestment efficiency shows some competitive positioning. The business lacks consistent evidence of sustainable advantages.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.
LRCX
81/100
Wide Moat
70+ Wide · 40-69 Narrow · <40 None

Wide moat driven primarily by margin stability. Revenue Predictability is the area most vulnerable to competitive pressure.

Composite score measuring competitive advantage durability across four dimensions: returns above cost of capital, pricing power stability, revenue predictability, and capital efficiency. Based on 4 years of fundamental data.

Forensic Accounting

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GS
-2.00
Possible Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.
LRCX
-2.28
Unlikely Manipulator
Above -1.78 = likely manipulator · -2.22 to -1.78 = grey zone

M-Score Trend

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Beneish's 8-variable model estimates the probability of earnings manipulation. An M-Score above -1.78 signals elevated risk — companies in this range have historically been 3-5× more likely to be manipulating earnings. Scores between -2.22 and -1.78 fall in a grey zone warranting further investigation.

Ownership Breakdown

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GS
Insiders 0.5%Institutions 75.7%Retail & Other 23.8%
No. of Institutional Holders3,730
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.
LRCX
Insiders 0.3%Institutions 88.8%Retail & Other 10.9%
No. of Institutional Holders3,163
High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders — a key signal in Buffett-style analysis. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

High insider ownership aligns management incentives with shareholders. Institutional concentration can indicate smart-money conviction but also crowding risk.

Insider Buying Activity

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GS
0
Buys (3M)
1
Buys (12M)
Total value (12M): $2.00M
HESS JOHN B JR.
Director
$2.00M
@ $511.68 · 2025-04-15
JOHNSON KEVIN RONALD
Director
$1.49M
@ $619.02 · 2025-01-17
FLAHERTY MARK A
Director
$29,545
@ $360.30 · 2024-09-27
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises
LRCX
0
Buys (3M)
1
Buys (12M)
Total value (12M): $602.00
HARTER AVA
Officer
$602.00
@ $66.89 · 2025-04-08
Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises

Open market purchases · includes direct & indirect ownership · excludes option exercises.

Insider Selling Activity

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GS
6
Sells (3M)
11
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $59.99M
COLEMAN DENIS P.
Chief Financial Officer
$10.94M
@ $941.57 · 2026-02-09
SOLOMON DAVID M
Chief Executive Officer
$255,387
@ $938.92 · 2026-01-29
HALIO CAREY
Officer
$2.64M
@ $927.17 · 2026-01-27
FREDMAN SHEARA J.
Officer
$4.49M
@ $923.75 · 2026-01-23
RUEMMLER KATHRYN H
General Counsel
$8.89M
@ $927.51 · 2026-01-23
HALIO CAREY
Officer
$1.62M
@ $920.62 · 2026-01-23
WALDRON JOHN E.
President
$13.69M
@ $750.30 · 2025-08-28
COLEMAN DENIS P.
Chief Financial Officer
$5.41M
@ $724.40 · 2025-07-25
ROGERS JOHN F W
Officer
$4.31M
@ $717.39 · 2025-07-23
SOLOMON DAVID M
Chief Executive Officer
$4.71M
@ $712.31 · 2025-07-23
SOLOMON DAVID M
Chief Executive Officer
$3.04M
@ $607.17 · 2025-05-14
SOLOMON DAVID M
Chief Executive Officer
$1.50M
@ $622.15 · 2025-02-26
GOLTEN ALEXANDER SIMON
Officer
$3.31M
@ $636.25 · 2025-01-28
HALIO CAREY
Officer and Treasurer
$2.32M
@ $636.74 · 2025-01-24
FREDMAN SHEARA J.
Officer
$1.28M
@ $627.01 · 2025-01-21
RUEMMLER KATHRYN H
General Counsel
$4.76M
@ $634.69 · 2025-01-21
HALIO CAREY
Officer
$965,120
@ $624.67 · 2025-01-21
VINIAR DAVID A
Director
$3.06M
@ $612.08 · 2024-11-29
SOLOMON DAVID M
Chief Executive Officer
$4.00M
@ $610.91 · 2024-11-29
FREDMAN SHEARA J.
Officer
$1.77M
@ $594.51 · 2024-11-06
COLEMAN DENIS P.
Chief Financial Officer
$7.67M
@ $593.03 · 2024-11-06
ROGERS JOHN F W
Officer
$3.83M
@ $596.36 · 2024-11-06
SOLOMON DAVID M
Chief Executive Officer
$3.00M
@ $500.29 · 2024-08-15
VINIAR DAVID A
Director
$2.51M
@ $502.43 · 2024-07-16
SOLOMON DAVID M
Chief Executive Officer
$3.02M
@ $457.32 · 2024-05-10
VINIAR DAVID A
Director
$2.16M
@ $432.25 · 2024-04-29
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives
LRCX
5
Sells (3M)
11
Sells (12M)
Total value (12M): $71.33M
BETTINGER DOUGLAS R
Chief Financial Officer
$11.21M
@ $224.03 · 2026-03-04
HARTER AVA
Officer
$333,990
@ $222.66 · 2026-03-04
BETTINGER DOUGLAS R
Chief Financial Officer
$9.28M
@ $230.22 · 2026-03-02
HARTER AVA
Officer
$930,000
@ $232.50 · 2026-03-02
BRANDT ERIC K
Director
$7.90M
@ $225.60 · 2026-02-06
ARCHER TIMOTHY M
Chief Executive Officer
$26.76M
@ $163.86 · 2025-12-17
BETTINGER DOUGLAS R
Chief Financial Officer
$6.04M
@ $150.60 · 2025-11-14
MAYER BETHANY J
Director
$4,786
@ $159.53 · 2025-11-07
MAYER BETHANY J
Director
$207,667
@ $159.99 · 2025-11-03
HARTER AVA
Officer
$1.42M
@ $157.47 · 2025-10-27
VAHEDI VAHID
Officer
$7.25M
@ $138.90 · 2025-10-13
VARADARAJAN SESHASAYEE
Officer
$9.91M
@ $90.00 · 2025-02-20
MAYER BETHANY J
Director
$124,757
@ $75.15 · 2024-11-01
CORREIA CHRISTINA
Officer
$528,929
@ $817.51 · 2024-10-01
FERNANDES NEIL J
Officer
$1.71M
@ $1056.99 · 2024-07-12
CORREIA CHRISTINA
Officer
$687,282
@ $1062.26 · 2024-07-01
ARCHER TIMOTHY M
Chief Executive Officer
$14.67M
@ $1067.12 · 2024-06-28
ARCHER TIMOTHY M
Chief Executive Officer
$6.04M
@ $1078.53 · 2024-06-28
ARCHER TIMOTHY M
Chief Executive Officer
$10.33M
@ $1070.39 · 2024-06-28
FERNANDES NEIL J
Officer
$4.65M
@ $1055.76 · 2024-06-27
SCHISLER GEORGE M
Officer
$363,284
@ $908.21 · 2024-05-03
LORD PATRICK J
Officer
$55,292
@ $921.53 · 2024-04-29
TALWALKAR ABHIJIT Y
Director
$857,330
@ $972.03 · 2024-04-01
CORREIA CHRISTINA
Officer
$628,903
@ $972.03 · 2024-04-01
Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives

Direct ownership only · excludes indirect, option exercises, planned (10b5-1) sales & derivatives.

🎭 Mr. Market's Mood

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GS
FearGreed
😐Neutral(48/100)

"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.
LRCX
FearGreed
😐Neutral(57/100)

"Market is pricing this stock without strong emotion in either direction"

Composite sentiment score based on 6 market signals. Inspired by Buffett's "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

Composite sentiment score based on market signals. Inspired by Buffett’s "Mr. Market" allegory — fear = potential opportunity, greed = potential risk. Must be used alongside fundamental analysis, not in isolation.

⚖️ Buffett Signal

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GS
Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (48)
LRCX
Awaiting DCF Data

The Buffett Signal cross-references market sentiment with DCF valuation. Configure the DCF Analysis above to generate a signal.

DCF Margin of Safety: N/AMr. Market's Mood: Neutral (57)
View GS Full AnalysisView LRCX Full Analysis
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS) vs Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) Stock Comparison | SafetyMargin.io