Lam Research has set an ambitious revenue forecast for the second quarter of 2025 at $5 billion, driven by substantial upgrades in the NAND memory sector. The company attributes its expected growth to the demand for advanced fabrication equipment necessary for the evolving NAND technology landscape.
Advancements in the NAND market are a key driver for Lam Research, as two-thirds of the industry's equipment requires updates. As manufacturers transition to higher-layer NAND technology, exceeding 200 layers, the need for sophisticated techniques such as cryo etch and Moly deposition becomes crucial. Insider Monkey notes that this shift positions Lam to potentially benefit from a $40 billion upgrade cycle.
Despite the promising outlook, there are industry-wide challenges, including NAND flash memory oversupply and price declines. Lam Research's recent earnings report, however, demonstrates resilience, showing a 16% revenue growth in Q4 2024 to nearly $4.4 billion, surpassing market expectations. This performance lays a strong groundwork for the company's future projections.