Investment management firm Artisan Partners noted in its Q2 2026 "Artisan Global Opportunities Strategy" investor letter that semiconductor equipment company Lam Research (Nasdaq: LRCX) was one of the fund's top contributors during the quarter, accounting for 2.5% of the portfolio. Artisan Partners stated that Lam Research's performance exceeded market expectations, with profit margins remaining high, and anticipated sustained growth for the company. Given the growth in semiconductor capital expenditures, particularly in the memory sector, Artisan Partners raised its 2026 wafer fab equipment spending outlook to approximately $140 billion, representing a year-over-year increase of about 27%. However, due to the significant recent rise in Lam Research's stock price, its valuation has approached the upper end of the fund's target range, leading Artisan Partners to reduce some of its position to manage risk and position size.