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KLA (KLAC)
NASDAQ:KLAC
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KLA (KLAC) AI Stock Analysis

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KLAC

KLA

(NASDAQ:KLAC)

Rating:82Outperform
Price Target:
$1,058.00
▲(10.74% Upside)
KLA's overall stock score is driven by strong financial performance and positive earnings call outcomes. The company's leadership in advanced packaging and AI infrastructure positions it well for future growth. However, valuation concerns and external challenges like tariffs and reduced demand from China pose risks.
Positive Factors
Financial Performance
KLA delivered strong results above consensus expectations, reflecting continued strength in leading-edge foundry/logic and HBM, combined with accelerating momentum in advanced packaging.
Growth Prospects
KLAC is on track to outperform with management reaffirming that the future could also be a growth year, contrasting with more cautious tones from peers.
Market Performance
The company has diversified end-market exposure through acquisitions, which should enable it to outgrow the overall market and drive an EPS CAGR of 15-20% over the next three years.
Negative Factors
Market Concerns
Some investors have questioned the decline in KLA's reported remaining performance obligation from $8.9B to $7.9B.
Performance Obligations
The next twelve months' remaining performance obligations are estimated at $5.8 billion, down 11% quarter-over-quarter and 4% year-over-year.
Revenue Decline
Estimated TSMC revenue decreased by 23% quarter-over-quarter in the June quarter after two quarters of elevated spending.

KLA (KLAC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

KLA Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionKLA Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets process control, process-enabling, and yield management solutions for the semiconductor and related electronics industries worldwide. It operates through four segments: Semiconductor Process Control; Specialty Semiconductor Process; PCB, Display and Component Inspection; and Other. The company offers integrated circuit (IC) manufacturing products that comprises wafer inspection and review, and metrology; wafer and substrate defect inspection and metrology; reticle defect inspection and metrology; chemical/materials quality analysis; in situ process management and wafer handling diagnostics for IC and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) manufacturing; software products to provide run-time process control, defect excursion identification, process corrections, and defect classification; and refurbished and remanufactured products. It also provides specialty semiconductor manufacturing, benchtop metrology, surface characterization, and electrical property measurement services for general purpose/ lab applications; etch, plasma dicing, deposition, and other wafer processing technologies and solutions for the semiconductor and microelectronics industry. In addition, the company offers direct imaging, inspection, optical shaping, additive printing, and computer-aided manufacturing and engineering solutions for the PCB market; inspection and electrical testing systems to identify and classify defects, as well as systems to repair defects for the display market; and inspection and metrology systems for quality control and yield improvement in advanced and traditional semiconductor packaging markets. The company was formerly known as KLA-Tencor Corporation and changed its name to KLA Corporation in July 2019. KLA Corporation was incorporated in 1975 and is headquartered in Milpitas, California.
How the Company Makes MoneyKLA generates revenue primarily through the sale of its semiconductor manufacturing equipment, including inspection and metrology tools, which are critical for ensuring the quality and precision of semiconductor devices. The company also earns income from software solutions that support data analysis and yield management, which are essential for semiconductor manufacturers aiming to maximize output and minimize defects. Additionally, KLA benefits from ongoing service and support contracts, which provide a steady stream of recurring revenue. Strategic partnerships with major semiconductor manufacturers and technology companies further bolster KLA's financial performance, allowing the company to stay at the forefront of technology advancements and benefit from industry growth.

KLA Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Gross Margin by Segment
Gross Margin by Segment
Analyzes the profitability of each segment by comparing revenue to cost of goods sold, revealing efficiency and pricing power in various parts of the business.
Chart InsightsKLA's Semiconductor Process Control segment shows resilience with stable margins, while Specialty Semiconductor Process faces margin pressure. The PCB, Display and Component Inspection segment experienced volatility, notably a sharp dip in early 2024, but rebounded strongly. Despite global trade uncertainties impacting margins, KLA's earnings call highlights robust revenue growth driven by advanced packaging and services, suggesting strategic focus on high-demand areas. However, ongoing trade challenges and export controls could pressure margins further, underscoring the importance of KLA's market leadership and strategic investments.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

KLA Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 31, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: 8.69%|
Next Earnings Date:Oct 22, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call presented a strong performance in revenue growth, free cash flow, and EPS, driven by leadership in process control and advanced packaging. Despite challenges such as tariff impacts on gross margins and lower demand from China, KLA remains optimistic about future growth, highlighted by positive customer discussions for 2026.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Revenue and Free Cash Flow
KLA reported a revenue of $3.175 billion and a record free cash flow of over $1 billion for the June 2025 quarter, marking a 24% year-over-year revenue growth.
Advanced Packaging and Process Control Leadership
KLA's advanced packaging revenue is expected to exceed $925 million in 2025, up from $850 million previously estimated, and the Service business grew 14% year-over-year to $703 million.
Strong EPS Performance
Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $9.38, above the guidance range, and GAAP diluted EPS was $9.06, at the upper end of the guidance range.
Increased Capital Returns
Total capital return in the June quarter was $680 million, with $426 million in share repurchases and $254 million in dividends.
Positive Outlook for 2026
Early customer discussions are constructive for growth in 2026, with expectations for continued investment in advanced logic and packaging driven by AI demand.
Negative Updates
Tariff Impact on Gross Margins
Gross margin is forecasted to be impacted by global tariffs, with an estimated 50 to 100 basis point headwind, below the original estimate of a 100 basis point impact.
Challenges in China Market
Lower overall demand from China is expected, with investment levels likely down after elevated investment in 2023 and 2024.
Company Guidance
In the June 2025 quarter, KLA Corporation reported strong financial performance, exceeding the high end of its guidance ranges. The company achieved revenue of $3.175 billion, with non-GAAP diluted EPS of $9.38 and GAAP diluted EPS of $9.06. KLA also recorded a record free cash flow of over $1 billion. The company saw a 24% year-over-year revenue growth, driven by robust investment in leading-edge logic, high bandwidth memory (HBM), and advanced packaging capabilities. The advanced packaging systems-related revenue is now expected to exceed $925 million in 2025, up from a previous estimate of $850 million, and significantly higher than over $500 million last year. KLA's Services business also grew to $703 million, marking a 5% sequential and 14% annual increase. For the September quarter, KLA projects revenue of $3.15 billion, plus or minus $150 million, with a gross margin forecasted at 62%, plus or minus 1 percentage point. The company anticipates continued strong growth, supported by increasing investments in AI infrastructure, and expects to outperform the mid-single-digit WFE growth rate in 2025.

KLA Financial Statement Overview

Summary
KLA demonstrates strong financial performance with high profitability and revenue growth. The company has a robust gross profit margin of 60.9% and a net profit margin of 33.4%. Revenue growth is significant at 23.9%, and cash flow metrics are solid. However, the balance sheet shows a higher reliance on debt with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25, which requires careful management.
Income Statement
92
Very Positive
KLA demonstrates strong profitability with a gross profit margin of 60.9% and a net profit margin of 33.4% for TTM. The company has shown significant revenue growth of 23.9% from the previous year. EBIT and EBITDA margins are robust at 41.3% and 42.4%, respectively, indicating efficient cost management and operational excellence.
Balance Sheet
80
Positive
The balance sheet reveals a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25, suggesting a balanced capital structure. Return on Equity stands impressively at 86.6% for TTM, reflecting strong profitability relative to shareholder equity. However, the equity ratio of 29.2% indicates a higher reliance on debt, which could pose risks if not managed carefully.
Cash Flow
88
Very Positive
KLA's cash flow is strong, with a free cash flow growth rate of 23.6% compared to the previous year. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is commendable at 1.00, showing efficient cash generation from operations. The free cash flow to net income ratio is also healthy at 0.92, affirming the company's solid cash conversion capabilities.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue12.16B9.81B10.50B9.21B6.92B5.81B
Gross Profit7.44B5.88B6.28B5.62B4.15B3.36B
EBITDA5.30B3.91B4.50B4.01B2.85B1.83B
Net Income4.06B2.76B3.39B3.32B2.08B1.22B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets16.07B15.43B14.07B12.60B10.27B9.28B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments4.49B4.50B3.24B2.71B2.49B1.98B
Total Debt5.88B6.82B6.06B6.77B3.55B3.57B
Total Liabilities11.38B12.07B11.15B11.20B6.90B6.60B
Stockholders Equity4.69B3.37B2.92B1.40B3.38B2.67B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow3.74B3.03B3.33B3.01B1.95B1.63B
Operating Cash Flow4.08B3.31B3.67B3.31B2.19B1.78B
Investing Cash Flow-202.48M-1.48B-486.87M-876.46M-500.40M-258.87M
Financing Cash Flow-3.79B-1.78B-2.83B-2.26B-1.50B-1.30B

KLA Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price955.41
Price Trends
50DMA
897.14
Positive
100DMA
801.28
Positive
200DMA
743.83
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
11.18
Negative
RSI
62.58
Neutral
STOCH
96.11
Negative
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For KLAC, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 955.41 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 912.96, above the 50-day MA of 897.14, and above the 200-day MA of 743.83, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 11.18 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 62.58 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 96.11 is Negative, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for KLAC.

KLA Risk Analysis

KLA disclosed 38 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. KLA reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

KLA Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
82
Outperform
$123.45B30.81100.78%0.71%24.04%49.69%
82
Outperform
$151.06B22.9136.37%0.88%6.12%-5.66%
82
Outperform
$287.83B28.4056.14%0.90%27.09%40.94%
82
Outperform
$133.24B25.3558.24%0.86%23.68%43.16%
77
Outperform
$1.02T27.8133.29%1.12%38.65%
61
Neutral
€6.51B18.073.81%2.08%2.67%-29.74%
52
Neutral
$95.46B-19.24%2.10%-3.72%-2120.70%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KLAC
KLA
955.41
125.41
15.11%
AMAT
Applied Materials
188.24
-21.61
-10.30%
ASML
ASML Holding
755.21
-165.13
-17.94%
INTC
Intel
23.86
3.17
15.32%
LRCX
Lam Research
107.38
19.40
22.05%
TSM
TSMC
241.00
68.98
40.10%

KLA Corporate Events

Executive/Board ChangesDividends
KLA Announces Board Changes and Dividend Declaration
Positive
Aug 7, 2025

On August 7, 2025, KLA Corporation announced the retirement of Gary Moore and Emiko Higashi from its Board of Directors, effective at the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders. The Board plans to nominate Tracy Embree and Jason Conley as new directors. Additionally, KLA declared a quarterly cash dividend of $1.90 per share, payable on September 3, 2025, to shareholders of record as of August 18, 2025. These changes reflect KLA’s ongoing commitment to strategic leadership and shareholder value.

The most recent analyst rating on (KLAC) stock is a Buy with a $900.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on KLA stock, see the KLAC Stock Forecast page.

Private Placements and Financing
KLA Secures New $1.5 Billion Credit Agreement
Positive
Jul 8, 2025

On July 3, 2025, KLA Corporation entered into a new Credit Agreement with several financial institutions, replacing its previous revolving credit facility from June 8, 2022. The new agreement provides a five-year unsecured revolving credit facility of $1.5 billion, with options for extensions and increases, and includes sustainability-linked pricing components. The facility will support general corporate purposes, including debt repayment, and features flexible borrowing and repayment terms. The agreement also includes customary covenants and events of default provisions, ensuring financial discipline and risk management for KLA.

The most recent analyst rating on (KLAC) stock is a Buy with a $980.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on KLA stock, see the KLAC Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Aug 08, 2025