LRCX vs KLAC: which was the better investment?
Lam Research Corporation against KLA 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 LRCX beat KLAC?
Yes — measured from May 4, 1984 to Jul 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, LRCX came out ahead: $17,650,062 versus $10,858,570 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 19.4% annual return against 18.0%.
What would $10,000 in LRCX be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) on May 4, 1984 would be worth about $17,650,062 as of Jul 15, 2026, a total return of 176400.6% (19.4% per year). The same $10,000 in KLAC would be worth $10,858,570.
Which was riskier — LRCX or KLAC?
LRCX swung with an annualized volatility of 55.8% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -87.9%; KLAC ran at 51.2% volatility with a -83.7% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.31 for LRCX vs 0.31 for KLAC.
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 LRCX vs KLAC. 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.