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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)

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Outperform 79 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:79Outperform
Price Target:
$1,413.00
▲(18.40% Upside)
KLA's overall stock score is driven by strong financial performance and positive earnings call sentiment, highlighting growth in advanced packaging and services. Technical analysis supports a bullish outlook, although valuation metrics suggest the stock may be overvalued. The impact of export controls on China is a concern, but the company's strategic focus on high-demand areas positions it well for future growth.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Strong revenue growth indicates robust demand for KLA's products and services, positioning the company well for continued expansion in the semiconductor industry.
Advanced Packaging Momentum
The growth in advanced packaging reflects KLA's ability to capitalize on emerging trends in semiconductor manufacturing, enhancing its competitive edge.
AI Infrastructure Opportunity
KLA's portfolio aligns with AI infrastructure needs, offering long-term growth potential as AI adoption accelerates across industries.
Negative Factors
High Leverage
Significant leverage could limit financial flexibility and increase risk if market conditions deteriorate, impacting long-term stability.
Tariff Impact on Margins
Tariff impacts on margins could pressure profitability, affecting KLA's ability to maintain its high margins in the long term.
Reduced Demand from China
Decreased demand from China could hinder growth prospects, as China is a significant market for semiconductor equipment.

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
Revenue by Geography
Revenue by Geography
Breaks down revenue across different regions, revealing where the company is strongest and where it may face risk or growth potential due to local economic conditions or market share shifts.
Chart InsightsKLA's revenue in China and Taiwan is surging, driven by strong demand in advanced packaging and high-bandwidth memory, aligning with the company's earnings call highlighting growth in these areas. Despite global trade uncertainties impacting margins, KLA's market share in process control remains robust. North America and Japan show fluctuating trends, but recent upticks suggest potential recovery. The company's strategic focus on advanced packaging and services is paying off, with both segments showing resilience and growth, which is crucial given the challenges posed by export controls and tariffs.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

KLA Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Oct 29, 2025
(Q1-2026)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Jan 22, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
KLA's earnings call reflects a strong financial performance with significant growth in advanced packaging and service revenue. The company also reported record cash flow and robust capital returns. While there are concerns regarding the impact of extended export controls on China, the overall outlook remains positive, with expectations of growth in 2026.
Q1-2026 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Financial Performance
KLA delivered strong results with revenue of $3.21 billion and non-GAAP diluted EPS of $8.81. GAAP diluted EPS was $8.47. Gross margin was 62.5%, driven by a stronger product mix and manufacturing efficiencies.
Advanced Packaging Revenue Growth
Advanced packaging-related revenue is expected to exceed $925 million for calendar year 2025, up approximately 70% year-over-year.
Service Business Growth
Service revenue grew to $745 million in the September quarter, up 6% sequentially and 16% year-over-year.
Record Cash Flow
Strong cash flow in the quarter was at a record of $1.066 billion. Over the past 12 months, free cash flow was $3.9 billion, with a free cash flow margin of 31%.
Capital Returns
Total capital return in the September quarter was $799 million, consisting of $545 million in share repurchases and $254 million in dividends. Total capital return over the past 12 months was $3.09 billion.
Positive Outlook for 2026
KLA anticipates mid- to high single-digit growth in WFE for 2025 and expects 2026 to be a growth year with a broader spending profile for both WFE and advanced packaging.
Negative Updates
Impact of China Export Controls
KLA estimates the revenue impact due to extended export controls from the U.S. government affecting certain customers in China to be approximately $300 million to $350 million through calendar 2026.
Mixed Segment Performance
While leading-edge logic and DRAM are expected to perform well, KLA anticipates a reduction in demand from domestic China and the legacy market.
Company Guidance
During KLA Corporation's September Quarter 2025 earnings call, the company provided a robust set of financial metrics and guidance for the upcoming quarters. Revenue for the September quarter was reported at $3.21 billion, with a non-GAAP diluted EPS of $8.81 and a GAAP diluted EPS of $8.47. The company highlighted strong growth in its advanced packaging segment, expecting related revenue to exceed $925 million for the calendar year 2025, reflecting a 70% year-over-year increase. Service revenue also saw significant growth, reaching $745 million, up 6% sequentially and 16% year-over-year. The company achieved a record cash flow of $1.066 billion for the quarter, contributing to a free cash flow of $3.9 billion over the past 12 months, with a free cash flow margin of 31%. For the December quarter, KLA forecasted revenue of $3.225 billion, with an expected gross margin of 62%. Looking ahead to 2026, KLA anticipates a growth year for the industry, driven by investments in advanced packaging and leading-edge logic, despite the anticipated impact of U.S. export controls on certain customers in China.

KLA Financial Statement Overview

Summary
KLA demonstrates strong financial performance with high profitability and efficient cash flow management. The company maintains robust margins and returns, but the high leverage could be a concern if not managed carefully. Overall, KLA is well-positioned in the semiconductor industry, with stable growth and profitability.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
KLA's income statement shows strong profitability with a consistent gross profit margin above 60% and a net profit margin over 33% in the TTM period. Revenue growth is positive, albeit modest at 3.03% in the TTM, indicating stable demand. The EBIT and EBITDA margins are robust, reflecting efficient operations and cost management.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The balance sheet reveals a high debt-to-equity ratio of 1.30 in the TTM, suggesting significant leverage, which could pose a risk if market conditions worsen. However, the return on equity is impressive at 102.56%, indicating effective use of equity to generate profits. The equity ratio is relatively low, highlighting a reliance on debt financing.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
KLA's cash flow statement is strong, with a free cash flow growth rate of 3.50% in the TTM, indicating healthy cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is nearly 1, showing that net income is well-supported by cash flows. The free cash flow to net income ratio is also high, underscoring efficient cash management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue12.52B12.16B9.81B10.50B9.21B6.92B
Gross Profit7.72B7.58B5.88B6.28B5.62B4.15B
EBITDA5.38B5.34B3.91B4.50B4.01B2.85B
Net Income4.24B4.06B2.76B3.39B3.32B2.08B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets16.32B16.07B15.43B14.07B12.60B10.27B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments4.68B4.49B4.50B3.24B2.71B2.49B
Total Debt5.89B6.09B6.82B6.06B6.77B3.55B
Total Liabilities11.33B11.38B12.07B11.15B11.20B6.90B
Stockholders Equity4.99B4.69B3.37B2.92B1.40B3.38B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow3.87B3.74B3.03B3.33B3.01B1.95B
Operating Cash Flow4.25B4.08B3.31B3.67B3.31B2.19B
Investing Cash Flow-441.43M-202.48M-1.48B-486.87M-876.46M-500.40M
Financing Cash Flow-3.83B-3.79B-1.78B-2.83B-2.26B-1.50B

KLA Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price1193.37
Price Trends
50DMA
1069.46
Positive
100DMA
985.87
Positive
200DMA
855.60
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
42.14
Positive
RSI
57.86
Neutral
STOCH
36.84
Neutral
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 1193.37 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 1160.94, above the 50-day MA of 1069.46, and above the 200-day MA of 855.60, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 42.14 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 57.86 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 36.84 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for KLAC.

KLA Risk Analysis

KLA disclosed 39 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
80
Outperform
$415.98B117.485.32%31.83%80.45%
79
Outperform
$161.23B38.5399.17%0.60%22.27%45.32%
77
Outperform
$186.04B27.8435.64%0.75%6.70%-5.95%
77
Outperform
$207.31B36.3762.26%0.59%25.66%46.68%
75
Outperform
$116.10B60.045.65%1.70%7.08%18.39%
61
Neutral
$37.18B12.37-10.20%1.83%8.50%-7.62%
61
Neutral
$173.92B3,597.170.19%-1.49%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KLAC
KLA
1,193.37
533.71
80.91%
AMD
Advanced Micro Devices
233.54
86.19
58.49%
ADI
Analog Devices
228.48
11.74
5.42%
AMAT
Applied Materials
230.07
43.45
23.28%
INTC
Intel
38.13
13.08
52.22%
LRCX
Lam Research
159.35
83.98
111.42%

KLA Corporate Events

KLA Corporation Exceeds Q1 Earnings Expectations
Oct 30, 2025

KLA Corporation is a leading provider of advanced process control and process-enabling solutions for the electronics industry, specializing in manufacturing equipment for wafers, reticles, integrated circuits, and printed circuit boards.

Kla Corporation Faces Financial Risks Amid U.S. Tariffs and Trade Restrictions
Aug 10, 2025

Kla Corporation faces significant business risks due to recently announced and potential future U.S. tariffs and trade restrictions, which could materially impact its operations. The implementation of tariffs on key materials like aluminum, copper, and steel, along with potential new tariffs on semiconductor-related imports, could increase production costs and disrupt supply chains. Retaliatory tariffs from other countries may further harm demand for Kla’s products, leading to order cancellations and financial losses. Despite efforts to mitigate these risks through operational and pricing strategies, the uncertainty and complexity of evolving trade policies pose a substantial threat to the company’s financial health.

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.

KLA Corporation Reports Strong Q2 Earnings Amid Challenges
Aug 2, 2025

KLA Corporation’s recent earnings call revealed a strong performance, marked by significant revenue growth, robust free cash flow, and impressive earnings per share (EPS). Despite facing challenges like tariff impacts on gross margins and reduced demand from China, the company remains optimistic about its future, buoyed by positive customer discussions for 2026.

KLA Corporation Reports Strong Q4 2025 Earnings
Aug 1, 2025

KLA Corporation is a leading provider of process control and yield management solutions for the semiconductor and related microelectronics industries, offering a comprehensive range of products and services to major semiconductor manufacturers worldwide.

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: Oct 30, 2025