$AMAT vs $LRCX: Semiconductor Equipment Leaders Capitalizing on AI Demand Is $AMAT or $LRCX a Better BUY? Both AMAT and LRCX are leading semiconductor equipment providers benefiting from sustained AI-driven demand for advanced chip manufacturing tools. Recent market activity shows both stocks experiencing pullbacks after strong year-to-date gains, with AMAT trading near $456 and LRCX near $298 as of mid-September 2026.