El interés en corto de Lam Research da a los inversores una idea del grado en que los inversores apuestan por la caída de las acciones de Lam Research. Los datos de interés en corto se actualizan cada dos semanas.

Lam Research (NASDAQ:LRCX) Bolsa, Informe de interés en corto

Lam Research

Lam Research is one of the largest semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment manufacturers in the world. It specializes in deposition and etch, which entail the buildup of layers on a semiconductor and the subsequent selective removal of patterns from each layer. Lam holds the top market share in etch and holds the clear second share in deposition. It is more exposed to memory chipmakers for DRAM and NAND chips. It counts as top customers the largest chipmakers in the world, including TSMC, Samsung, Intel, and Micron.

LRCX

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VAT Group está bien posicionado para beneficiarse del crecimiento de la IA. Los pronósticos sugieren un alza significativa en sus acciones.

Acciones de VAT Group podrían subir un 35% gracias a la demanda de IA

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Shares of semiconductor companies are trading lower amid overall market weakness following the Fed's rate decision to cut rates by 25 basis points.

The iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOXX#NASDAQ">SOXX</a>) had a rocky year. While semiconductors at large posted historic gains through 2024&#8217;s first half, they <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/09/40754938/semiconductor-etfs-take-a-beating-dragged-lower-by-nvidia-amd-and-broadcom-stocks">erased much of their gains</a> in the late summer and fall. One industry analyst is optimistic about the industry&#8217;s prospects in 2025.
The Semiconductor Analyst: Bank of America analyst Vivek Arya named six of his top semiconductor picks for 2025:
<ul>
<li>NVIDIA Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) with a price target of $190.</li>
<li>Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AVGO#NASDAQ">AVGO</a>) with a price target of $250.</li>
<li>Marvell Technology Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MRVL#NASDAQ">MRVL</a>) with a price target of $140.</li>
<li>Lam Research Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>) with a price target of $92.</li>
<li>ON Semiconductor Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ON#NASDAQ">ON</a>) with a price target of $90.</li>
<li>Cadence Design Systems Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CDNS#NASDAQ">CDNS</a>) with a price target of $365.</li>
</ul>
The <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/24/12/42511580/microchip-technology-faces-multiple-headwinds-heading-into-2025-turns-analyst-bearish">analyst also downgraded</a> Microchip Technology Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MCHP#NASDAQ">MCHP</a>).
The AI Boom: Arya cited Nvidia, Broadcom and Marvell as the leaders in AI. He says Lam Research&#8217;s capital expenditures will recover in 2025 along with the reduction of China headwinds. The analyst also thinks ON Semiconductor will recover from cyclical trends while Cadence Design will benefit from its resiliency.
The analyst sees the semiconductor industry&#8217;s upcycle lasting into 2025. He noted that past bullish cycles have lasted, on average, roughly 10 quarters, while current bullishness has only lasted five quarters.
Arya sees two major trends affecting the industry in 2025.
&#8220;In the first half, we expect the AI investments driven by AI training and scaling of models to continue, doubling down on the Nvidia Blackwell deployment ramps driven by cloud customers,&#8221; the analyst said. &#8220;At the same time, we expect trends for non-AI end markets to remain weak throughout 1H.&#8221;
Arya expects the CHIPS Act, enacted under President Joe Biden, to remain in place following the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. He expects all remaining funding to be dispensed in 2025.
The analyst sees the automotive and industrial industries as fueling semiconductor demand in the year&#8217;s second half.
&#8220;In the second half, we expect a pickup in auto/industrial semis as customer/channel inventories normalize (replenishment + easy comps), as well as a pickup in global auto production,&#8221; Arya said.
The analyst projected electric vehicle sales to reaccelerate 29% year-over-year.
Also Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/price-target/24/12/42513306/elon-musks-tesla-nearly-5-times-more-expensive-than-industry-average-stock-surges-over-60-since-election">Elon Musk&#8217;s Tesla Nearly 5 Times More Expensive Than Industry Average: Stock Surges Over 60% Since Election</a></li>
</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

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"Biden Prepares To Target Chinese Legacy Chips With Trade Investigation; The Investigation Could Result In Tariffs On Older Types Of Chips From China, Though The Decision Would Ultimately Fall To Trump" - NY Times

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bullish stance on Lam Research (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with LRCX, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 13 uncommon options trades for Lam Research.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 46% bullish and 46%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 3 are puts, for a total amount of $120,250, and 10 are calls, for a total amount of $717,135.
<h3>Expected Price Movements</h3>
Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $60.0 to $88.0 for Lam Research over the recent three months. 
<h3>Analyzing Volume &amp; Open Interest</h3>
Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Lam Research's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Lam Research's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $60.0 to $88.0 over the preceding 30 days.
<h3>Lam Research Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734366624_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$4.5</td>
<td>$4.35</td>
<td>$4.45</td>
<td>$76.00</td>
<td>$222.5K</td>
<td>2.2K</td>
<td>1.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$4.6</td>
<td>$4.45</td>
<td>$4.45</td>
<td>$76.00</td>
<td>$167.7K</td>
<td>2.2K</td>
<td>502</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$16.8</td>
<td>$16.25</td>
<td>$16.8</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$84.0K</td>
<td>80</td>
<td>50</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$13.4</td>
<td>$13.3</td>
<td>$13.3</td>
<td>$88.00</td>
<td>$46.5K</td>
<td>964</td>
<td>43</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$0.73</td>
<td>$0.69</td>
<td>$0.7</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$45.0K</td>
<td>7.7K</td>
<td>1.5K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Lam Research</h3>
Lam Research is one of the largest semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment manufacturers in the world. It specializes in deposition and etch, which entail the buildup of layers on a semiconductor and the subsequent selective removal of patterns from each layer. Lam holds the top market share in etch and holds the clear second share in deposition. It is more exposed to memory chipmakers for DRAM and NAND chips. It counts as top customers the largest chipmakers in the world, including TSMC, Samsung, Intel, and Micron.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Lam Research, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Where Is Lam Research Standing Right Now?</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 2,214,827, with LRCX's price down by 0.0%, positioned at $76.26.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 37 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Expert Opinions on Lam Research</h3>
3 market experts have recently issued ratings for this stock, with a consensus target price of $82.0.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Morgan Stanley continues to hold a Equal-Weight rating for Lam Research, targeting a price of $78. 
&#x2A; Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Bernstein keeps a Market Perform rating on Lam Research with a target price of $85. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Wells Fargo persists with their Equal-Weight rating on Lam Research, maintaining a target price of $83. 
Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Lam Research with <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> for real-time alerts.

Options

Markets

Check Out What Whales Are Doing With LRCX

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bullish stance on Lam Research.
Looking at options history for Lam Research (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>) we detected 8 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 50% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 37% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 5 are puts, for a total amount of $1,398,938 and 3, calls, for a total amount of $284,388.
<h3>Predicted Price Range</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $67.0 and $90.0 for Lam Research, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Lam Research's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Lam Research's whale trades within a strike price range from $67.0 to $90.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Lam Research Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1734034172_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Biggest Options Spotted:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$13.5</td>
<td>$13.3</td>
<td>$13.3</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$861.8K</td>
<td>2.8K</td>
<td align="right">698</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$4.35</td>
<td>$4.3</td>
<td>$4.35</td>
<td>$74.00</td>
<td>$217.9K</td>
<td>6.4K</td>
<td align="right">8</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$6.5</td>
<td>$6.4</td>
<td>$6.4</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$208.0K</td>
<td>367</td>
<td align="right">326</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$4.4</td>
<td>$4.3</td>
<td>$4.35</td>
<td>$67.00</td>
<td>$188.8K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
<td align="right">438</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$1.9</td>
<td>$1.83</td>
<td>$1.84</td>
<td>$72.00</td>
<td>$92.0K</td>
<td>4.7K</td>
<td align="right">15</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Lam Research</h3>
Lam Research is one of the largest semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment manufacturers in the world. It specializes in deposition and etch, which entail the buildup of layers on a semiconductor and the subsequent selective removal of patterns from each layer. Lam holds the top market share in etch and holds the clear second share in deposition. It is more exposed to memory chipmakers for DRAM and NAND chips. It counts as top customers the largest chipmakers in the world, including TSMC, Samsung, Intel, and Micron.
<h3>Present Market Standing of Lam Research</h3>
<ul>
<li>With a trading volume of 4,135,291, the price of LRCX is down by -2.88%, reaching $75.98.</li>
<li>Current RSI values indicate that the stock is may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Next earnings report is scheduled for 41 days from now.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What The Experts Say On Lam Research</h3>
In the last month, 3 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $82.0.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Bernstein persists with their Market Perform rating on Lam Research, maintaining a target price of $85. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Wells Fargo continues to hold a Equal-Weight rating for Lam Research, targeting a price of $83. 
&#x2A; An analyst from Morgan Stanley persists with their Equal-Weight rating on Lam Research, maintaining a target price of $78. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Lam Research, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Spotlight on Lam Research: Analyzing the Surge in Options Activity

Looking into the current session, Lam Research Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>) shares are trading at $74.66, after a 3.60% decrease. Over the past month, the stock fell by 1.37%, but over the past year, it actually spiked by 1.63%. With questionable short-term performance like this, and great long-term performance, long-term shareholders might want to start looking into the company's price-to-earnings ratio. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1733851838_0.png" alt="Past Year Chart" />

<h3>A Look at Lam Research P/E Relative to Its Competitors</h3>
The P/E ratio measures the current share price to the company's EPS. It is used by long-term investors to analyze the company's current performance against it's past earnings, historical data and aggregate market data for the industry or the indices, such as S&amp;P 500. A higher P/E indicates that investors expect the company to perform better in the future, and the stock is probably overvalued, but not necessarily. It also could indicate that investors are willing to pay a higher share price currently, because they expect the company to perform better in the upcoming quarters. This leads investors to also remain optimistic about rising dividends in the future. 
Compared to the aggregate P/E ratio of the 90.34 in the Semiconductors &amp; Semiconductor Equipment industry, Lam Research Inc. has a lower P/E ratio of 25.06. Shareholders might be inclined to think that the stock might perform worse than it's industry peers. It's also possible that the stock is undervalued. 

<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1733851838_1.png" alt="Guage" />

In summary, while the price-to-earnings ratio is a valuable tool for investors to evaluate a company's market performance, it should be used with caution. A low P/E ratio can be an indication of undervaluation, but it can also suggest weak growth prospects or financial instability. Moreover, the P/E ratio is just one of many metrics that investors should consider when making investment decisions, and it should be evaluated alongside other financial ratios, industry trends, and qualitative factors. By taking a comprehensive approach to analyzing a company's financial health, investors can make well-informed decisions that are more likely to lead to successful outcomes.

Intraday Update

Price Over Earnings Overview: Lam Research

Lam Research (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 14.27% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 26.09%. Currently, Lam Research has a market capitalization of $99.47 billion. 
Buying $100 In LRCX: If an investor had bought $100 of LRCX stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $996.43 today based on a price of $77.31 for LRCX at the time of writing.
<h3>Lam Research's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1733841056_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Trading Ideas

$100 Invested In This Stock 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

Investors with a lot of money to spend have taken a bearish stance on Lam Research (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>).
And retail traders should know.
We noticed this today when the trades showed up on publicly available options history that we track here at Benzinga.
Whether these are institutions or just wealthy individuals, we don't know. But when something this big happens with LRCX, it often means somebody knows something is about to happen.
So how do we know what these investors just did? 
Today, <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/?utm_source=insights">Benzinga</a>'s options scanner spotted 10 uncommon options trades for Lam Research.
This isn't normal.
The overall sentiment of these big-money traders is split between 20% bullish and 80%, bearish.
Out of all of the special options we uncovered, 5 are puts, for a total amount of $1,048,853, and 5 are calls, for a total amount of $318,272.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
Analyzing the Volume and Open Interest in these contracts, it seems that the big players have been eyeing a price window from $73.5 to $86.0 for Lam Research during the past quarter. 
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Trends</h3>
Looking at the volume and open interest is a powerful move while trading options. This data can help you track the liquidity and interest for Lam Research's options for a given strike price. Below, we can observe the evolution of the volume and open interest of calls and puts, respectively, for all of Lam Research's whale trades within a strike price range from $73.5 to $86.0 in the last 30 days. 
<h3>Lam Research Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1733764533_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Significant Options Trades Detected:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$6.7</td>
<td>$6.35</td>
<td>$6.7</td>
<td>$78.00</td>
<td>$364.4K</td>
<td>2.3K</td>
<td align="right">544</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$11.3</td>
<td>$11.2</td>
<td>$11.3</td>
<td>$86.00</td>
<td>$275.7K</td>
<td>431</td>
<td align="right">245</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$8.45</td>
<td>$8.35</td>
<td>$8.45</td>
<td>$82.00</td>
<td>$241.6K</td>
<td>476</td>
<td align="right">287</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$15.5</td>
<td>$15.25</td>
<td>$15.33</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$152.7K</td>
<td>702</td>
<td align="right">104</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>09/19/25</td>
<td>$14.7</td>
<td>$14.35</td>
<td>$14.7</td>
<td>$86.00</td>
<td>$108.7K</td>
<td>170</td>
<td align="right">74</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Lam Research</h3>
Lam Research is one of the largest semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment manufacturers in the world. It specializes in deposition and etch, which entail the buildup of layers on a semiconductor and the subsequent selective removal of patterns from each layer. Lam holds the top market share in etch and holds the clear second share in deposition. It is more exposed to memory chipmakers for DRAM and NAND chips. It counts as top customers the largest chipmakers in the world, including TSMC, Samsung, Intel, and Micron.
After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Lam Research, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance.
<h3>Lam Research's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Currently trading with a volume of 3,060,636, the LRCX's price is up by 1.41%, now at $77.67. </li>
<li>RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be approaching overbought.</li>
<li>Anticipated earnings release is in 44 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Lam Research</h3>
A total of 3 professional analysts have given their take on this stock in the last 30 days, setting an average price target of $82.0.
Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move
Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=Be8be9arja3be22bz20&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Morgan Stanley continues to hold a Equal-Weight rating for Lam Research, targeting a price of $78. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Wells Fargo continues to hold a Equal-Weight rating for Lam Research, targeting a price of $83. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Bernstein continues to hold a Market Perform rating for Lam Research, targeting a price of $85. 
Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely.
If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Lam Research, <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a> gives you real-time options trades alerts.

Unpacking the Latest Options Trading Trends in Lam Research

Benzinga examined the prospects for<a href="http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas"> many investors&#8217; favorite stocks</a> over the last week — here&#8217;s a look at some of our top stories.
The U.S. stock market continued its upward momentum, with the S&amp;P 500 and Nasdaq marking their third consecutive week of gains, rising 0.96% and 3.34%, respectively, while the Dow edged down 0.6%.
Technology and consumer discretionary sectors drove the rally, supported by strong performances from mega-cap tech names like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>), and Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/META#NASDAQ">META</a>).
November&#8217;s labor market data showed a notable rebound, with nonfarm payrolls increasing by 227,000, surpassing expectations and significantly outpacing October&#8217;s revised 36,000 figure. 
Meanwhile, consumer sentiment, as measured by the University of Michigan, improved to a seven-month high, despite heightened inflation concerns influencing some consumers to expedite <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/24/12/42373700/stock-markets-extends-record-highs-us-labor-market-recovers-bitcoin-hits-100000-this-week-in-the-markets">purchases of durable goods.</a>
Benzinga provides daily reports on the stocks most popular with investors. Here are a few of this past week&#8217;s most bullish and bearish posts that are worth another look.
<h3 class="wp-block-heading">The Bulls</h3>
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42311290/trader-danny-moses-says-he-is-no-longer-shorting-tesla">‘Big Short' Trader Danny Moses Gives Up On Shorting Tesla, Says It Is &#8216;Very Difficult To Short A Name That Is Not Trading On Fundamentals&#8217;</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/anan-ashraf">Anan Ashraf</a>, explains that Danny Moses, known from &#8220;The Big Short,&#8221; stopped shorting Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSLA#NASDAQ">TSLA</a>), citing its stock's reliance on narrative-driven promises like autonomous driving rather than financial fundamentals.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42308139/crypto-analyst-foresees-potential-212-260-upswing-in-dogecoins-value">Crypto Analyst Foresees Potential 212%-260% Upswing In Dogecoin's Value</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/aniket-verma">Aniket Verma</a>, highlights an analyst&#8217;s bullish projection for Dogecoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/doge/usd">DOGE</a>), predicting a surge to $1.30-$1.50 as a key macro target, which would reflect a 212%-260% increase, citing historical patterns and market momentum.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/social-media/24/12/42349100/gamestop-rockets-as-roaring-kitty-returns-to-x-what-does-his-tweet-signal-ahead-of-q3-earnings">GameStop Rockets As Roaring Kitty Returns To X: What Does His Tweet Signal Ahead Of Q3 Earnings?</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/chris-katje">Chris Katje</a> , reports a surge in GameStop Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GME#NYSE">GME</a>) stock following Roaring Kitty&#8217;s (Keith Gill) return to X (formerly Twitter), sparking investor speculation with cryptic posts tied to meme stock momentum ahead of the company's earnings.
For additional bullish calls of the past week, check out the following:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/cryptocurrency/24/12/42259408/michael-saylor-says-bitcoin-could-boost-microsofts-valuation-by-nearly-5-trillion-and-add-584-to-the-stock-by-2034">Michael Saylor Says Bitcoin Could Boost Microsoft&#8217;s Valuation By Nearly $5 Trillion And Add $584 To The Stock By 2034</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/equities/24/12/42307579/andrew-lefts-citron-research-says-nvidia-backed-nebius-is-the-next-ai-wall-street-darling-stock-moves-up-14">Andrew Left&#8217;s Citron Research Says Nvidia-Backed Nebius Is The Next &#8216;AI Wall Street Darling&#8217; — Stock Moves Up 14%</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42346110/oil-vs-gas-which-is-better-positioned-for-2025-analyst-upgrades-conocophillips-downgrades-these-3-energy-stocks">JPMorgan Bets On Natural Gas For 2025: Upgrades ConocoPhillips, Lowers 3 Energy Stocks</a>
The Bears
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42291861/trumps-tariff-plan-risks-economic-pain-for-north-america-goldman-sachs-warns">Trump&#8217;s Tariff Plan Risks Economic Pain For North America, Goldman Sachs Warns</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/piero-cingari">Piero Cingari</a>, notes Goldman Sachs&#8217; warning that Donald Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports could shrink Canada's GDP by 4%, Mexico's by 3.5%, and the U.S.'s by 0.4%, hitting firms like General Motors Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) and spiking inflation.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/12/42265847/biden-targets-china-with-new-chip-restrictions-nvidia-slides">Biden Targets China With New Chip Restrictions, Nvidia Slides</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/anusuya-lahiri-0">Anusuya Lahiri</a>, reports on the U.S. imposing stricter export controls on 140 Chinese semiconductor firms, including memory chip tools, impacting NVIDIA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Lam Research Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>), and Applied Materials Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMAT#NASDAQ">AMAT</a>), as part of a national security strategy.
&#8220;<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42356727/peter-schiff-challenges-jim-cramers-bullish-bitcoin-take-says-such-statements-are-made-at-market-tops">Peter Schiff Challenges Jim Cramer&#8217;s Bullish Bitcoin Take, Says Such Statements Are Made At Market Tops</a>,&#8221; by <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/author/aniket-verma">Aniket Verma</a>, highlights Peter Schiff&#8217;s critique of Jim Cramer&#8217;s enthusiastic support for Bitcoin (CRYPTO: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/btc/usd">BTC</a>) after it surpassed $100,000, calling such remarks indicative of a market peak, while Cramer defended Bitcoin as a portfolio hedge akin to gold.
For more bearish takes, be sure to see these posts:
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/movers/24/12/42323934/shift4-payments-stock-drops-after-ceo-jared-isaacmans-nasa-nomination-whats-going-on">Shift4 Payments Stock Drops After CEO Jared Isaacman&#8217;s NASA Nomination: What&#8217;s Going On?</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42260398/how-a-potential-fallout-between-elon-musk-and-trump-could-impact-tesla-and-spacex-cathie-wood-weighs-in">How A Potential Fallout Between Elon Musk And Trump Could Impact Tesla And SpaceX: Cathie Wood Weighs In</a>
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42307375/sony-and-hondas-joint-ev-venture-faces-headwinds-ahead-of-us-launch-in-2026-amid-trump-backed-policy-shifts">Sony-Honda EV Dream Collides With Trump-Backed Policy Shift Reality Ahead Of 2026 US Launch</a>
Keep up with all the latest breaking news and trading ideas by following<a href="https://twitter.com/Benzinga"> Benzinga</a><a href="http://twitter.com/Benzinga"> on Twitter</a>.
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This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Information Technology sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>NVDA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/13/24</td>
<td>$150.00</td>
<td>$44.0K</td>
<td>50.9K</td>
<td>78.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MSTR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$350.00</td>
<td>$645.9K</td>
<td>10.4K</td>
<td>9.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>PLTR</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$75.00</td>
<td>$36.3K</td>
<td>28.4K</td>
<td>7.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SMCI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/13/24</td>
<td>$46.00</td>
<td>$57.9K</td>
<td>8.7K</td>
<td>6.7K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AAPL</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$242.50</td>
<td>$38.9K</td>
<td>6.7K</td>
<td>2.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>TWLO</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/06/24</td>
<td>$110.00</td>
<td>$48.8K</td>
<td>1.8K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ZS</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$230.00</td>
<td>$29.2K</td>
<td>890</td>
<td>1.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SOUN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$10.00</td>
<td>$107.1K</td>
<td>11.9K</td>
<td>1.3K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>08/15/25</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$1.3 million</td>
<td>194</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ASAN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$12.50</td>
<td>$86.7K</td>
<td>1.6K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These bullet-by-bullet explanations have been constructed using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding NVDA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 7 day(s) on December 13, 2024. Parties traded 1000 contract(s) at a $150.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 7 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $44.0K, with a price of $44.0 per contract. There were 50995 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 78277 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MSTR (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSTR#NASDAQ">MSTR</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 14 day(s) on December 20, 2024. This event was a transfer of 100 contract(s) at a $350.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $645.9K, with a price of $6460.0 per contract. There were 10446 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 9094 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For PLTR (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PLTR#NASDAQ">PLTR</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be bullish, expiring in 42 day(s) on January 17, 2025. This event was a transfer of 53 contract(s) at a $75.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $36.3K, with a price of $685.0 per contract. There were 28486 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 7216 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For SMCI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, expiring in 7 day(s) on December 13, 2024. This event was a transfer of 300 contract(s) at a $46.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 13 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $57.9K, with a price of $193.0 per contract. There were 8704 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 6759 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For AAPL (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 14 day(s) on December 20, 2024. This event was a transfer of 100 contract(s) at a $242.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 12 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $38.9K, with a price of $389.0 per contract. There were 6761 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2335 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For TWLO (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TWLO#NYSE">TWLO</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bearish, is expiring today. Parties traded 192 contract(s) at a $110.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $48.8K, with a price of $258.0 per contract. There were 1809 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1623 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding ZS (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZS#NASDAQ">ZS</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 14 day(s) on December 20, 2024. Parties traded 207 contract(s) at a $230.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 19 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $29.2K, with a price of $141.0 per contract. There were 890 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1420 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding SOUN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SOUN#NASDAQ">SOUN</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 406 day(s) on January 16, 2026. Parties traded 155 contract(s) at a $10.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 24 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $107.1K, with a price of $690.0 per contract. There were 11988 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1324 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding LRCX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>), we observe a put option trade with bearish sentiment. It expires in 252 day(s) on August 15, 2025. Parties traded 1150 contract(s) at a $80.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $1.3 million, with a price of $1150.0 per contract. There were 194 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1186 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ASAN (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASAN#NYSE">ASAN</a>), we notice a call option trade that happens to be neutral, expiring in 77 day(s) on February 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 89 contract(s) at a $12.50 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $86.7K, with a price of $975.0 per contract. There were 1698 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1126 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more about unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

ASAN

MSTR

PLTR

SMCI

SOUN

TWLO

10 Information Technology Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today's Session

Wells Fargo analyst Joseph Quatrochi maintains Lam Research (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>) with a Equal-Weight and lowers the price target from $85 to $83.

Wells Fargo Maintains Equal-Weight on Lam Research, Lowers Price Target to $83

Whales with a lot of money to spend have taken a noticeably bullish stance on Lam Research.
Looking at options history for Lam Research (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>) we detected 12 trades.
If we consider the specifics of each trade, it is accurate to state that 50% of the investors opened trades with bullish expectations and 41% with bearish.
From the overall spotted trades, 6 are puts, for a total amount of $568,208 and 6, calls, for a total amount of $293,895.
<h3>Projected Price Targets</h3>
After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $52.0 and $90.0 for Lam Research, spanning the last three months.
<h3>Volume &amp; Open Interest Development</h3>
Examining the volume and open interest provides crucial insights into stock research. This information is key in gauging liquidity and interest levels for Lam Research's options at certain strike prices. Below, we present a snapshot of the trends in volume and open interest for calls and puts across Lam Research's significant trades, within a strike price range of $52.0 to $90.0, over the past month.
<h3>Lam Research Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1733417241_0.png" alt="Options Call Chart" />
<h3>Largest Options Trades Observed:</h3>

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Ask</th>
<th>Bid</th>
<th>Price</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th align="right">Open Interest</th>
<th align="right">Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$10.75</td>
<td>$10.65</td>
<td>$10.75</td>
<td>$84.00</td>
<td>$271.9K</td>
<td align="right">196</td>
<td align="right">254</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/13/24</td>
<td>$15.55</td>
<td>$15.25</td>
<td>$15.55</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$93.3K</td>
<td align="right">86</td>
<td align="right">60</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/16/26</td>
<td>$2.82</td>
<td>$2.22</td>
<td>$2.72</td>
<td>$52.00</td>
<td>$82.1K</td>
<td align="right">185</td>
<td align="right">903</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>06/20/25</td>
<td>$2.59</td>
<td>$2.55</td>
<td>$2.55</td>
<td>$60.00</td>
<td>$76.7K</td>
<td align="right">994</td>
<td align="right">302</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>02/21/25</td>
<td>$2.66</td>
<td>$2.64</td>
<td>$2.66</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
<td>$73.4K</td>
<td align="right">634</td>
<td align="right">323</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h3>About Lam Research</h3>
Lam Research is one of the largest semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment manufacturers in the world. It specializes in deposition and etch, which entail the buildup of layers on a semiconductor and the subsequent selective removal of patterns from each layer. Lam holds the top market share in etch and holds the clear second share in deposition. It is more exposed to memory chipmakers for DRAM and NAND chips. It counts as top customers the largest chipmakers in the world, including TSMC, Samsung, Intel, and Micron.
<h3>Lam Research's Current Market Status</h3>
<ul>
<li>Trading volume stands at 3,150,949, with LRCX's price down by -3.55%, positioned at $75.48.</li>
<li>RSI indicators show the stock to be is currently neutral between overbought and oversold.</li>
<li>Earnings announcement expected in 48 days.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Analysts Are Saying About Lam Research</h3>
In the last month, 2 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $81.5.
Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days?
20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/options-moneyline-2/?t=Moop1arja3be22op14&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights">Click here for access</a>. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Morgan Stanley continues to hold a Equal-Weight rating for Lam Research, targeting a price of $78. 
&#x2A; Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Bernstein continues to hold a Market Perform rating for Lam Research, targeting a price of $85. 
Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Lam Research options trades with real-time alerts from <a href="https://benzinga.grsm.io/register174">Benzinga Pro</a>.

Morgan Stanley analyst Joseph Moore maintains Lam Research (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $76 to $78.

Morgan Stanley Maintains Equal-Weight on Lam Research, Raises Price Target to $78

China responded swiftly on Tuesday to new U.S. restrictions on semiconductor technology exports by imposing tighter controls on critical minerals used in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/semiconductors">chip manufacturing</a>.
The move targets gallium, germanium, and antimony — essential materials for advanced electronics and defense applications, The Wall Street Journal <a href="https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/china-tightens-curbs-on-exports-of-materials-with-chip-making-applications-to-u-s-4348a02c?mod=latest_headlines">reports</a>.
What Happened: A day after the U.S. blacklisted 140 Chinese entities and restricted exports of memory chips vital to artificial intelligence, Beijing retaliated with export bans and reviews for U.S.-bound shipments of these minerals. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce justified the measures as necessary for national security.
China also cautioned its businesses against purchasing American chips due to reliability and safety concerns. 
The restricted minerals are critical to the U.S. economy and defense supply chains, with Beijing accounting for a significant portion of imports between 2019 and 2022. For instance, the U.S. relied on China for 80% of its antimony needs during this period, WSJ reports.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/economics/macro-economic-events/24/12/42299957/feds-kugler-sees-inflation-progress-but-warns-policy-is-not-on-a-preset-course">Fed&#8217;s Kugler Sees Inflation Progress But Warns: &#8216;Policy Is Not On A Preset Course&#8217;</a>
The new U.S. export controls, which <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/regulations/24/12/42265847/biden-targets-china-with-new-chip-restrictions-nvidia-slides">took effect Monday</a>, primarily target Chinese firms such as Naura Technology Group, Huawei-linked companies and equipment manufacturers. These measures also extend restrictions to non-U.S. chip suppliers reliant on American technologies, sparking concern among global players like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>).
Why It Matters: The clash underscores the fragility of global supply chains and the geopolitical stakes tied to semiconductor dominance. With China tightening its grip on critical materials, the U.S. faces mounting pressure to diversify its supply sources. 
Experts warn these developments could reshape the global semiconductor landscape as companies and governments navigate new trade barriers. U.S. firms such as Nvidia Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), Lam Research Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>), and KLA Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KLAC#NASDAQ">KLAC</a>) may feel the ripple effects alongside international players exempt from these restrictions, including Dutch firm ASM International (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>).
ETFs such as the Invesco Semiconductors ETF (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSI#NASDAQ">PSI</a>) and the SPDR S&amp;P Semiconductor ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XSD#NYSE">XSD</a>) could also feel the effects of these trade restrictions, given their exposure to impacted companies.
Read Next:
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<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/24/12/42301885/south-korea-etfs-won-pare-losses-as-yoon-makes-u-turn-on-martial-law-declaration">South Korea ETFs, Won Pare Losses As Yoon Makes U-Turn On Martial Law Declaration</a></li>
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Photo by Fahroni via Shutterstock

Asia

PowerShares Exchange-Traded Fund Trust Dynamic Semiconductor Portfolio

China Retaliates Against US Chip Sanctions, Tightens Mineral Exports

Lam Research Corp. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>).
Today, the U.S. government announced additional measures to further restrict semiconductor technology exports to China. Our initial assessment is that the effect of the announced measures on Lam's business will be broadly consistent with our prior expectations. As a result, at this time we have no plans to update Lam's financial guidance for the December 2024 quarter as stated in our earnings press release on October 23, 2024.

Lam Research Corporation Comments On Newly Announced Export Regulations; Says "Our Initial Assessment Is That The Effect Of The Announced Measures On Lam's Business Will Be Broadly Consistent With Our Prior Expectations"

FORM

ICHR

LAES

NVTS

SQNS

WOLF

Shares of semiconductor companies are trading higher. The Biden administration plans on limiting China's access to advanced chips, chipmaking tools and memory technology due to alleged national security concerns and AI's military potential.

This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities.
Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner.
Traders often look for circumstances when the market estimation of an option diverges away from its normal worth. Abnormal amounts of trading activity could push option prices to hyperbolic or underperforming levels. 
Below are some instances of options activity happening in the Information Technology sector: 
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Symbol</th>
<th>PUT/CALL</th>
<th>Trade Type</th>
<th>Sentiment</th>
<th>Exp. Date</th>
<th>Strike Price</th>
<th>Total Trade Price</th>
<th>Open Interest</th>
<th>Volume</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>SMCI</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/06/24</td>
<td>$40.00</td>
<td>$36.8K</td>
<td>14.6K</td>
<td>58.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>NVDA</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>NEUTRAL</td>
<td>12/06/24</td>
<td>$138.00</td>
<td>$29.4K</td>
<td>29.3K</td>
<td>57.5K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MSFT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/06/24</td>
<td>$440.00</td>
<td>$34.8K</td>
<td>3.4K</td>
<td>16.8K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>AMD</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>TRADE</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/06/24</td>
<td>$142.00</td>
<td>$81.2K</td>
<td>4.3K</td>
<td>13.7K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>INTC</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>12/06/24</td>
<td>$24.50</td>
<td>$110.3K</td>
<td>5.3K</td>
<td>8.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>MARA</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$30.00</td>
<td>$56.5K</td>
<td>21.3K</td>
<td>4.0K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LRCX</td>
<td>PUT</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>12/20/24</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
<td>$57.1K</td>
<td>2.9K</td>
<td>2.4K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RIOT</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>03/21/25</td>
<td>$15.00</td>
<td>$90.3K</td>
<td>39.8K</td>
<td>1.2K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>ZM</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BULLISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$30.4K</td>
<td>5.6K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>IREN</td>
<td>CALL</td>
<td>SWEEP</td>
<td>BEARISH</td>
<td>01/17/25</td>
<td>$20.00</td>
<td>$27.6K</td>
<td>27.5K</td>
<td>1.1K</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

<h2>Explanation</h2>
These itemized elaborations have been created using the accompanying table. 
• Regarding SMCI (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SMCI#NASDAQ">SMCI</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 4 day(s) on December 6, 2024. Parties traded 80 contract(s) at a $40.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 7 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $36.8K, with a price of $460.0 per contract. There were 14692 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 58478 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding NVDA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>), we observe a put option sweep with neutral sentiment. It expires in 4 day(s) on December 6, 2024. Parties traded 190 contract(s) at a $138.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $29.4K, with a price of $155.0 per contract. There were 29386 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 57586 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For MSFT (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MSFT#NASDAQ">MSFT</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 4 day(s) on December 6, 2024. This event was a transfer of 400 contract(s) at a $440.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 8 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $34.8K, with a price of $87.0 per contract. There were 3466 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 16871 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding AMD (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMD#NASDAQ">AMD</a>), we observe a call option trade with bullish sentiment. It expires in 4 day(s) on December 6, 2024. Parties traded 350 contract(s) at a $142.00 strike. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $81.2K, with a price of $232.0 per contract. There were 4358 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 13704 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding INTC (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/INTC#NASDAQ">INTC</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 4 day(s) on December 6, 2024. Parties traded 1250 contract(s) at a $24.50 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 4 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $110.3K, with a price of $88.0 per contract. There were 5332 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 8123 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding MARA (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MARA#NASDAQ">MARA</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 109 day(s) on March 21, 2025. Parties traded 100 contract(s) at a $30.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 14 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $56.5K, with a price of $565.0 per contract. There were 21329 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 4074 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding LRCX (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>), we observe a put option sweep with bullish sentiment. It expires in 18 day(s) on December 20, 2024. Parties traded 157 contract(s) at a $80.00 strike. This particular put needed to be split into 7 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $57.1K, with a price of $365.0 per contract. There were 2938 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 2413 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For RIOT (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RIOT#NASDAQ">RIOT</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 109 day(s) on March 21, 2025. This event was a transfer of 400 contract(s) at a $15.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 28 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $90.3K, with a price of $226.0 per contract. There were 39892 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1277 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• For ZM (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ZM#NASDAQ">ZM</a>), we notice a call option sweep that happens to be bullish, expiring in 46 day(s) on January 17, 2025. This event was a transfer of 195 contract(s) at a $90.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 15 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $30.4K, with a price of $156.0 per contract. There were 5617 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1165 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
• Regarding IREN (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IREN#NASDAQ">IREN</a>), we observe a call option sweep with bearish sentiment. It expires in 46 day(s) on January 17, 2025. Parties traded 500 contract(s) at a $20.00 strike. This particular call needed to be split into 9 different trades to become filled. The total cost received by the writing party (or parties) was $27.6K, with a price of $55.0 per contract. There were 27510 open contracts at this strike prior to today, and today 1106 contract(s) were bought and sold. 
Options Alert Terminology 
 - Call Contracts: The right to buy shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Put Contracts: The right to sell shares as indicated in the contract. 
 - Expiration Date: When the contract expires. One must act on the contract by this date if one wants to use it. 
 - Premium/Option Price: The price of the contract. 
For more information, visit our <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/blog/how-to-understand-option-alerts/">Guide to Understanding Options Alerts</a> or read <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/markets/options">more news on unusual options activity</a>. 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

IREN

MARA

RIOT

10 Information Technology Stocks Whale Activity In Today's Session

<a href="https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202412/1324191.shtml" title="https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202412/1324191.shtml">https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202412/1324191.shtml</a>

China's Commerce Ministry, On U.S. Chip Export Control Measures, Says China Firmly Opposes It; The Move Is A Typical Example Of 'Economic Coercion' And 'Non-Market Practices'; China Will Take Necessary Measures To Firmly Safeguard Its Legitimate Rights And Interests; The U.s. Has Seriously Abused Control Measures, Severely Hindering Normal Economic And Trade Exchanges Between Countries, Disrupting Market Rules And International Trade Order; U.S. Move Is Threatening The Stability Of Global Supply Chains

On Monday, the outgoing Biden administration will implement its third crackdown on China&#8217;s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/semiconductors" rel="noreferrer noopener">semiconductor industry</a> within three years, citing the same national security threats as reasons it mentioned for its prior sanctions, intensifying geopolitical tensions between the countries.
The initiative, launching Monday, will impose export restrictions on 140 Chinese entities, including chip equipment manufacturers such as Naura Technology Group and other firms, targeting advanced memory chips and chipmaking tools.
Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NVDA#NASDAQ">NVDA</a>) stock is trading lower on Monday. Prior reports indicated Nvidia&#8217;s potential to earn <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/government/24/10/41204521/nvidias-gpu-sales-at-risk-as-china-pushes-local-ai-chips-in-retaliation" rel="noreferrer noopener">$12 billion in sales</a> from 1 million H20 GPUs in China in 2024.&nbsp;
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42244371/stellantis-to-suspend-production-of-fiat-500-ev-at-turin-plant-again-whats-going-on" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stellantis To Suspend Production Of Fiat 500 EV At Turin Plant Again: What&#8217;s Going On?</a>
Reuters reports that the restrictions will also affect Chinese chip toolmakers Piotech and SiCarrier Technology and shipments from nations like Singapore and Malaysia.
The package includes new controls on 24 additional chipmaking tools, software, and high-bandwidth memory chips essential for AI training and high-end applications.
Lam Research Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/LRCX#NASDAQ">LRCX</a>), KLA Corp (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/KLAC#NASDAQ">KLAC</a>), and Applied Materials Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMAT#NASDAQ">AMAT</a>) could face significant impacts alongside non-U.S. firms such as Dutch company ASM International (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>). These controls are part of a broader strategy to limit Beijing&#8217;s access to advanced technologies critical for its semiconductor sector.
<a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42244387/nvidia-lam-reasearch-applied-materials-stocks-gain-as-biden-government-eyes-softer-semiconductor-sanctions-against-china" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prior reports indicated</a> that the U.S. proposed to go softer on China for the third semiconductor embargo following intense negotiations with allies like Japan and the Netherlands and American chip equipment makers.
Chinese entities added to the list include over 100 semiconductor and chipmaking toolmakers, two investment companies, and others linked to Huawei Technologies, a telecom giant pivotal to China&#8217;s chip advancements.
Companies on the list will require special licenses to receive shipments from U.S. suppliers, with most license requests likely to be denied.
The new rules also expand the foreign direct product rule, restricting exports from U.S., Japanese, and Dutch manufacturers to essential Chinese chip plants.
Due to agreements with the U.S., Japan and the Netherlands are exempt, which relieves ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ASML#NASDAQ">ASML</a>)&nbsp;and&nbsp;Tokyo Electron Ltd. (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TOELY#OTC">TOELY</a>).
However, manufacturers in other nations, such as Israel, South Korea, and Taiwan, are affected, to the dismay of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/TSM#NYSE">TSM</a>) and Samsung Electronics Co (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SSNLF#OTC">SSNLF</a>).
Investors can gain exposure to semiconductor stocks through the Invesco Semiconductors ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/PSI#NYSE">PSI</a>) and the SPDR S&amp;P Semiconductor ETF (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/XSD#NYSE">XSD</a>).
Price Actions: At the last check on Monday, NVDA stock was down 0.53% at $137.52 in premarket trading. LRCX is down 0.31%, and AMAT is down 0.32%. ASML is up 0.32%, TSM is up 2.32%.
Also Read:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/11/42241689/taiwan-semiconductors-advanced-2nm-chips-to-hit-us-market-by-2028" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Taiwan Semiconductor&#8217;s Advanced 2nm Chips To Hit US Market By 2028: Report</a></li>
</ul>
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

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Regulations

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