Analysts Upgrade Zscaler and Lam Research Ratings, Positive Outlook
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 16 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Zscaler Upgrade: Bay Area Ideas upgraded Zscaler from Sell to Hold, citing Q1 results indicating that AI innovation is beginning to translate into financial growth, with a more reasonable forward P/E reflecting improved fundamentals despite still being relatively expensive.
- Lam Research Buy Rating: Dhierin Bechai upgraded Lam Research from Hold to Buy, forecasting 10-15% YoY growth in wafer fabrication equipment demand, setting a base price target of $246.84, indicating a 13% upside, with a bullish target of $291.11.
- NXP Hold Rating Maintained: Brett Ashcroft Green maintained a Hold rating on NXP Semiconductors, noting that while 2026 earnings growth looks healthy, current pricing lacks margin of safety, with risks of commoditization in the automotive semiconductor sector.
- Rocket Lab Downgrade: Dhierin Bechai downgraded Rocket Lab from Buy to Sell, warning that excessive valuation driven by Neutron rocket enthusiasm is disconnected from near-term financial prospects, indicating a potential downside risk of 20-38% based on sales-based valuation methods.
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Analyst Views on LRCX
Wall Street analysts forecast LRCX stock price to fall over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for LRCX is 192.50 USD with a low forecast of 142.00 USD and a high forecast of 265.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
22 Analyst Rating
18 Buy
4 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 248.170
Low
142.00
Averages
192.50
High
265.00
Current: 248.170
Low
142.00
Averages
192.50
High
265.00
About LRCX
Lam Research Corporation is a global supplier of wafer fabrication equipment and services to the semiconductor industry. The Company designs, manufactures, markets, refurbishes, and services semiconductor processing equipment used in the fabrication of integrated circuits. Its products and services are designed to help its customers build devices that are used in a variety of electronic products, including mobile phones, personal computers, servers, wearables, automotive vehicles, and data storage devices. Its product families include ALTUS, SABRE, SPEED, Striker, VECTOR, Flex, Vantex, Kiyo, Versys Metal, Syndion, Coronus, and DV-Prime, Da Vinci, EOS, and SP Series. Its customer base includes semiconductor memory, foundries, and integrated device manufacturers that make products such as non-volatile memory, dynamic random-access memory, and logic devices. It offers services in areas, such as nanoscale applications enablement, chemistry, plasma and fluidics, and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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