ASML (NASDAQ: ASML) and Lam Research (NASDAQ: LRCX) are two of the world's top semiconductor equipment makers. ASML is the world's largest producer of lithography systems, which are used to optically etch circuit patterns onto silicon wafers. It's also the only producer of high-end extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography systems for producing the world's smallest chips. Lam Research is a top producer of wafer fabrication equipment (WFE) for manufacturing silicon wafers.

Both companies are linchpins and bellwethers of the semiconductor market. But over the past 12 months, Lam's stock nearly doubled as ASML's rose less than 50%. Let's see why Lam generated bigger gains -- and if it's still the better buy this year.

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Source Fool.com