AMAT vs LRCX: which was the better investment?
Applied Materials, Inc. against Lam Research Corporation on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from May 4, 1984 to Jul 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did AMAT beat LRCX?
Yes — measured from May 4, 1984 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, AMAT came out ahead: $32,743,070 versus $17,835,178 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 21.1% annual return against 19.4%.
What would $10,000 in AMAT be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) on May 4, 1984 would be worth about $32,743,070 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 327330.7% (21.1% per year). The same $10,000 in LRCX would be worth $17,835,178.
Which was riskier — AMAT or LRCX?
AMAT swung with an annualized volatility of 48.4% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -85.2%; LRCX ran at 55.8% volatility with a -87.9% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.40 for AMAT vs 0.31 for LRCX.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering May 4, 1984 through Jul 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with AMAT vs LRCX. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.