Lam Research Corporation LRCX is slated to report first-quarter fiscal 2021 results on Oct 21. In the last reported quarter, the company delivered an earnings surprise of 13.8%.Lam Research’s surprise history has been decent. The company surpassed earnings estimates in three out of the trailing four quarters and missed once, with the average surprise being 6.02%.For the fiscal first quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has been stable at $5.17 per share over the past 30 days. This indicates an increase of 62.6% from the year-ago reported figure.The consensus mark for revenues is pegged at $3.10 billion, implying an increase of 43.12% from the year-ago reported figure.Let’s see how things have shaped up for this announcement.Lam Research Corporation Price and EPS Surprise Lam Research Corporation price-eps-surprise | Lam Research Corporation QuoteFactors to NoteLam Research has been witnessing improvement in memory and semiconductor equipment markets. Increased adoption rates for 3D NAND technology, FinFETs and multi-patterning is expected to have aided its top-line growth.The company provides advanced semiconductors and memory solutions that power 5G, artificial intelligence, as well as the Internet of Things. Rising demand for these solutions is expected to have aided top-line growth of the company.In addition, it has been undertaking cost-reduction activities and density scaling for 3D NAND, as well as new memory technologies. It witnessed share gains in the foundry and logic segment. All these factors are likely to boost Lam Research’s upcoming results.However, the company has been facing significant competition in all product and service categories in the semiconductor capital equipment market.Also, volatility in the PC market is likely to have weighed on its performance. Weakness in PCs, which may offset expansion in 3D NAND, could affect fiscal first-quarter results.Earnings WhispersOur proven model does not conclusively predict an earnings beat for Lam Research this time around. This is because a stock needs to have both a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) for this to happen. That is not the case here as you will see below.Earnings ESP: The company has an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.Zacks Rank: Currently, Lam Research has a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).Stocks to ConsiderHere are a few stocks that you may want to consider, as our model shows that these have the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat in the quarter to be reported.MSCI Inc. MSCI has an Earnings ESP of +0.83% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.TE Connectivity Ltd. TEL has an Earnings ESP of +2.14% and a Zacks Rank #3.Netflix, Inc. NFLX has an Earnings ESP of +2.14% and holds a Zacks Rank of 3.Zacks’ Single Best Pick to DoubleFrom thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each picked their favorite to gain +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Zacks Director of Research, Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.With users in 180 countries and soaring revenues, it’s set to thrive on remote working long after the pandemic ends. No wonder it recently offered a stunning $600 million stock buy-back plan.The sky’s the limit for this emerging tech giant. And the earlier you get in, the greater your potential gain.Click Here, See It Free >>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Lam Research Corporation (LRCX): Free Stock Analysis Report TE Connectivity Ltd. (TEL): Free Stock Analysis Report Netflix, Inc. (NFLX): Free Stock Analysis Report MSCI Inc (MSCI): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research