New York, Jan 27, 2026, 18:15 EST — After-hours
- Lam Research shares jumped roughly 7% on Tuesday, pushing the price to $238.46
- Evercore ISI boosted its price target to $241 from $170, maintaining an Outperform rating
- With Lam’s quarterly results due Wednesday after the bell, investors are adjusting their positions ahead of the announcement
Lam Research shares climbed roughly 7% on Tuesday, closing at $238.46 after hitting an intraday peak of $239.72. After-hours trading showed little movement in the stock.
This matters as Lam is set to report quarterly results on Wednesday, with its guidance often shifting sentiment across chipmaking equipment stocks. Investors react swiftly, repricing the sector at any sign of changes in factory spending.
Lam, a key player in wafer-fab equipment—the gear that etches and deposits ultra-thin layers on silicon wafers to make chips—plans to host its quarterly earnings call at 5:00 p.m. Eastern this Wednesday, the company announced. (Lam Research Newsroom)
Evercore ISI lifted its price target on Lam to $241 from $170, keeping its Outperform rating intact, MT Newswires reported Monday. The “Outperform” tag signals the broker expects the stock to outpace the broader market or competitors in its sector. (MarketScreener)
The rally wasn’t just a one-off. Applied Materials jumped roughly 4.1%, KLA climbed around 4.8%, and ASML’s U.S.-listed shares added about 2.9% in the latest session, highlighting widespread strength among semiconductor-capital-equipment stocks.
Traders will focus on any shifts in Lam’s view on orders from memory and foundry clients, especially if AI-driven demand is boosting steady tool shipments. It’s the guidance, more than the recent quarter, that usually shapes sentiment.
Part of it boils down to positioning. Lam has long served as a high-beta play on chip capacity spending expectations, meaning its stock can swing dramatically around earnings.
That said, the situation works both ways. If management signals caution about short-term demand or hints at postponed customer spending, the stock could quickly lose its gains—especially since the sector tends to move in sync.
Wednesday’s earnings report and outlook will be the next key trigger. Investors are also eyeing updates from other chip-equipment firms this week, with ASML’s results set for January 28. (Investing)
