Is Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (AMD) a Good Investment?

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NYSE:AMD) is the world’s second largest producer of microprocessors, behind the tech giant Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC). Intel is Advanced’s strongest competitor with more robust technological prowess and clout, so to speak. Intel also has a better-positioned balance sheet and has generally been more profitable in recent years. Billionaire Ken Griffin – founder of Citadel Investment Group – does happen to be one of Advanced Micro’s top name investors. Interestingly, Griffin upped his stake by nearly 200% last quarter (see Ken Griffin’s newest picks).

Getting into the details, Advanced’s 3Q results missed estimates on the back of continued economic weakness in the microprocessor space. Also pushing Advanced down is a worse-than-expected forward guidance that includes weakness on the consumer side. The company recently wrote down $100 million in inventory, whereas Intel is being held up with its enterprise segment. Advanced is also the only one of the five semiconductor stocks mentioned here that does not currently pay a dividend.

Advanced has had success in mobile, though, and its current product lineup suggests the chipmaker will continue in that direction. Obviously, one big issue will be continued competition in this segment. Intel has been less successful in the mobile market, but has been developing its Ultrabook portfolio.

Intel has a leading position in the high-end marketplace, and appears to be rather cheap at a 0.8 PEG. Research firm JPR estimates that Intel owns 60% of the GPU (global processing unit) market share, while Advanced holds 21% and Nvidia comes in third with 18.5%. Advanced trades with an EBITDA of 9%, which is the lowest of the five stocks, and the company has the highest debt ratio at 40%. Intel, inversely, sports a very attractive EBITDA margin of 43% and has a very attractive debt ratio of 10%.

How do other competitors stack up?