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KLA (KLAC)
NASDAQ:KLAC

KLA (KLAC) AI Stock Analysis

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KL

KLA

(NASDAQ:KLAC)

75Outperform
KLA's strong financial performance and positive earnings call results are major contributors to the overall score. Despite challenges from global trade issues, the company continues to show growth. However, high valuation and technical indicators suggest cautious optimism.
Positive Factors
Earnings and Financial Performance
KLA delivered strong results, exceeding consensus expectations, driven by strength in leading-edge foundry/logic and advanced packaging.
Market Position
KLA's pole position in Process Control with significant market share is expected to outpace overall WFE growth.
Shareholder Returns
There is a 12% increase to the dividend and $5 billion allocated for buyback.
Negative Factors
Cost Pressures
Higher input costs are causing a 100 basis points gross margin headwind.
Geopolitical Risks
Services revenue growth decelerated due to export restrictions to China, reducing KLAC's ability to ship equipment spares and upgrades to that region.
Market Risks
The biggest risk identified is the overall wafer fabrication equipment market, along with potential negative impacts from further China export restrictions.

KLA (KLAC) vs. S&P 500 (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 Corporation generates revenue primarily through the sale of its high-performance inspection and metrology systems, as well as software solutions that are critical in the semiconductor manufacturing process. The company earns money by providing these cutting-edge tools to semiconductor manufacturers who require precision and efficiency in their production processes. Additionally, KLA offers maintenance, support, and consulting services, which provide a steady stream of recurring revenue. The company's earnings are significantly influenced by the ongoing demand for semiconductor devices, driven by technological advancements and the proliferation of electronics in various industries. KLA also benefits from strategic partnerships and collaborations with major semiconductor manufacturers and research institutions, which help drive innovation and adoption of its solutions.

KLA Financial Statement Overview

Summary
KLA's financial performance is robust, with strong profitability and revenue growth as shown by its high income statement scores. The balance sheet is solid with moderate leverage and high return on equity, while cash flow metrics indicate effective cash conversion and growth.
Income Statement
KLA demonstrates strong profitability with a gross profit margin of 60.9% and a net profit margin of 32.0% for TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months). The EBIT and EBITDA margins are also robust at 40.8% and 42.2%, respectively, showcasing efficient operations. Revenue growth from the previous period is notable at 17.7%, indicating a strong upward trajectory.
Balance Sheet
75
The company's balance sheet shows a moderate debt-to-equity ratio of 1.47, suggesting a balanced use of leverage. Return on equity is impressive at 92.3%, reflecting strong profitability relative to shareholder investments. The equity ratio stands at 26.4%, indicating a moderate level of financial stability and reliance on equity financing.
Cash Flow
KLA's cash flow performance is solid, with a free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.95, indicating effective conversion of profits into cash. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is 1.03, suggesting healthy cash generation. The free cash flow growth rate is 15.9%, showing positive cash flow dynamics.
Breakdown
Jun 2024Jun 2023Jun 2022Jun 2021Jun 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
9.81B10.50B9.21B6.92B5.81B
Gross Profit
5.88B6.28B5.62B4.15B3.36B
EBIT
3.64B3.99B3.65B2.52B1.76B
EBITDA
3.91B4.41B4.01B2.85B2.10B
Net Income Common Stockholders
2.76B3.39B3.32B2.08B1.22B
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
4.50B3.24B2.71B2.49B1.98B
Total Assets
15.43B14.07B12.60B10.27B9.28B
Total Debt
6.82B5.89B6.66B3.44B3.47B
Net Debt
4.84B3.96B5.08B2.01B1.49B
Total Liabilities
12.07B11.15B11.20B6.90B6.60B
Stockholders Equity
3.37B2.92B1.40B3.38B2.67B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
3.03B3.33B3.01B1.95B1.63B
Operating Cash Flow
3.31B3.67B3.31B2.19B1.78B
Investing Cash Flow
-1.48B-486.87M-876.46M-500.40M-258.87M
Financing Cash Flow
-1.78B-2.83B-2.26B-1.50B-1.30B

KLA Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price698.16
Price Trends
50DMA
684.96
Positive
100DMA
692.59
Positive
200DMA
709.84
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
3.16
Negative
RSI
54.63
Neutral
STOCH
85.45
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 698.16 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 659.54, above the 50-day MA of 684.96, and below the 200-day MA of 709.84, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 3.16 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 54.63 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 85.45 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 (60)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$126.01B20.2935.19%1.03%4.45%-10.01%
78
Outperform
$254.81B32.1255.21%0.85%16.46%21.29%
78
Outperform
$95.32B20.7653.14%1.19%20.33%31.89%
TSTSM
77
Outperform
$714.08B22.3032.11%1.08%35.45%
75
Outperform
$92.33B29.36104.10%0.90%20.44%44.14%
60
Neutral
$10.94B10.48-7.04%2.99%7.55%-12.20%
47
Neutral
$89.94B-18.66%2.42%-3.97%-562.40%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KLAC
KLA
698.16
-13.86
-1.95%
AMAT
Applied Materials
155.10
-52.02
-25.12%
ASML
ASML Holding
690.33
-219.51
-24.13%
INTC
Intel
20.62
-10.15
-32.99%
LRCX
Lam Research
74.52
-16.92
-18.50%
TSM
TSMC
179.28
38.00
26.90%

KLA Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Apr 30, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: -0.64%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 24, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
KLA delivered strong financial results with record revenue, EPS, and cash flow, driven by growth in advanced packaging and services. However, global trade uncertainties and tariffs pose challenges, impacting gross margin and resulting in the postponement of the Investor Day.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Revenue and EPS Exceed Expectations
KLA's March quarter revenue was $3.06 billion, above the guidance midpoint of $3 billion. Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $8.41 and GAAP diluted EPS was $8.16, each finishing at the upper end of the respective guidance ranges.
Advanced Packaging Growth
KLA's advanced packaging revenue grew to over $500 million in calendar 2024 and is now expected to exceed $850 million in calendar 2025, demonstrating strong market demand and competitive positioning.
Service Business Growth
The KLA Services business grew to $669 million in the March quarter, up 13% year-over-year, marking its 52nd consecutive quarter of growth on a year-over-year basis.
Record-Free Cash Flow
Quarterly free cash flow was $990 million. Over the past 12 months, free cash flow was $3.5 billion with a free cash flow margin of 30%.
Continued Market Leadership
KLA maintained a strong global share of the WFE and Process Control market for calendar 2024, with a nearly 250 basis point growth over five years.
Negative Updates
Global Trade Uncertainty and Tariffs
The current unprecedented global trade uncertainty and tariffs are impacting gross margins, with an estimated 100 basis point headwind per quarter.
Impact of Export Controls
Newly announced market access restrictions from U.S. government export controls impacted service revenue growth in the March quarter.
Postponement of Investor Day
Due to macroeconomic uncertainties, KLA postponed its Investor Day from June 2025 to early to mid-calendar 2026.
Company Guidance
During the KLA Corporation earnings call for the March quarter of fiscal year 2025, the company reported strong financial performance, exceeding the midpoint of their guidance range with revenue of $3.06 billion, non-GAAP diluted EPS of $8.41, and GAAP diluted EPS of $8.16. The company highlighted a 30% year-over-year increase in revenue, driven by robust demand in leading-edge logic and high-bandwidth memory, as well as a significant contribution from their advanced packaging segment, which is expected to exceed $850 million in calendar year 2025. The services business also showed resilience with $669 million in revenue, marking its 52nd consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth. Despite global trade uncertainties, KLA maintained its strong market share in the wafer fabrication equipment (WFE) and process control markets, with a notable 250 basis point increase in process control market share over the past five years. Free cash flow for the quarter was $990 million, and the company returned $733 million to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. Looking ahead, KLA guided for June quarter revenue of $3.075 billion, with a gross margin forecasted at 63%, and announced a new $5 billion share repurchase authorization alongside a 12% dividend increase.

KLA Corporate Events

Executive/Board Changes
KLA Appoints Jamie E. Samath to Board of Directors
Neutral
May 1, 2025

On April 30, 2025, KLA Corporation announced the appointment of Jamie E. Samath to its Board of Directors and Audit Committee. Mr. Samath, who has been with Intuitive Surgical, Inc. for over 12 years, brings extensive experience in financial and business functions, having served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Head of Business Technology. His appointment is expected to enhance KLA’s strategic direction and governance, with Mr. Samath receiving a prorated grant of restricted stock units and a portion of the annual cash retainer for his board service.

Spark’s Take on KLAC Stock

According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, KLAC is a Outperform.

KLA Corporation’s stock is supported by strong financial performance, with robust revenue and income growth. The earnings call underscored resilience against market challenges, although technical analysis indicates potential resistance levels. Valuation suggests a premium, reflecting investor confidence, while the dividend yield remains modest.

To see Spark’s full report on KLAC stock, click here.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

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.