LSCC vs MCHP vs AMAT vs TXN

For growth investors, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TXN) is the stronger pick with 13.

0% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -42. 3% for Microchip Technology Incorporated (MCHP). Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) offers the better valuation at 47. 4x trailing P/E (37. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Lattice Semiconductor Corporation (LSCC) a "Buy" — based on 17 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.

On trailing P/E, Applied Materials, Inc.

(AMAT) is the cheapest at 47. 4x versus Lattice Semiconductor Corporation at 5377. 6x. On forward P/E, Applied Materials, Inc. is actually cheaper at 37. 1x.

Over the past 5 years, Applied Materials, Inc.

(AMAT) delivered a total return of +213. 8%, compared to +45. 7% for Microchip Technology Incorporated (MCHP). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: LSCC returned +22. 1% versus MCHP's +373. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Texas Instruments Incorporated (TXN) is the lower-risk stock at 1.

11β versus Lattice Semiconductor Corporation's 2. 48β — meaning LSCC is approximately 123% more volatile than TXN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Lattice Semiconductor Corporation (LSCC) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 11% versus 95% for Texas Instruments Incorporated — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), Texas Instruments Incorporated (TXN) is pulling ahead at 13.

0% versus -42. 3% for Microchip Technology Incorporated (MCHP). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Texas Instruments Incorporated grew EPS 4. 8% year-over-year, compared to -100. 1% for Microchip Technology Incorporated. Over a 3-year CAGR, AMAT leads at 3. 2% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.

Texas Instruments Incorporated (TXN) is the more profitable company, earning 28.

3% net margin versus -0. 0% for Microchip Technology Incorporated — meaning it keeps 28. 3% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: TXN leads at 34. 1% versus 2. 9% for LSCC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — LSCC leads at 68. 2%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.

On forward earnings alone, Applied Materials, Inc.

(AMAT) trades at 37. 1x forward P/E versus 114. 2x for Lattice Semiconductor Corporation — 77. 1x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AMAT: 3. 9% to $426. 39.

In this comparison, TXN (1.

9% yield), MCHP (1. 8% yield), AMAT (0. 4% yield) pay a dividend. LSCC does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, Texas Instruments Incorporated (TXN) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.

11), 1. 9% yield, +471. 6% 10Y return). Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) carries a higher beta of 2. 14 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (TXN: +471. 6%, AMAT: +20. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.

Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.

MCHP, TXN pay a dividend while LSCC, AMAT do not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.