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Kulicke & Soffa (KLIC)
NASDAQ:KLIC

Kulicke & Soffa (KLIC) AI Stock Analysis

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KLIC

Kulicke & Soffa

(NASDAQ:KLIC)

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Neutral 56 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:56Neutral
Price Target:
$61.00
▲(6.40% Upside)
The score is mainly held back by weak financial performance (steep revenue decline and pressured profitability) and very unattractive valuation (extreme P/E). These are partially offset by a strong technical uptrend and a generally upbeat earnings call featuring improving end-market momentum, supportive guidance, and continued share repurchases.
Positive Factors
Conservative balance sheet
Low leverage and a strong equity ratio provide durable financial flexibility. This conservative capital structure supports cyclical resilience, funds capital investments and R&D without excessive refinancing risk, and preserves capacity to support customers through demand swings over months.
Recurring service revenue
Aftermarket consumables and service contracts create repeatable, higher-margin revenue that smooths cyclicality inherent in capital equipment sales. This recurring mix improves cash flow visibility, funds product development, and strengthens customer ties over multi-quarter horizons.
Advanced packaging product momentum
New dispense and HBM systems target secular growth in advanced packaging. Product launches aligned with industry transitions can capture share and drive durable demand as customers adopt higher-density packaging, supporting sustainable revenue recovery and structural market participation.
Negative Factors
Steep revenue decline
A large multi-year revenue drop reduces scale economies and weakens fixed-cost absorption, pressuring profitability and ROI. Restoring prior volume levels may take multiple quarters, constraining reinvestment capacity and limiting ability to execute strategic initiatives during the recovery.
Margin compression and negative EBIT
Declining gross margins and negative operating profit signal structural margin pressure from pricing, mix, or cost issues. Persistently low margins hinder free cash flow generation, limit R&D and capex funding, and raise the risk that competitiveness erodes if cost or product weaknesses aren't corrected.
CEO transition uncertainty
An executive leadership change introduces execution risk on strategy, customer relationships, and capital allocation. While interim leadership can preserve continuity, a prolonged search or strategic shifts could delay decisions and disrupt momentum in product launches and market-share pursuits over several quarters.

Kulicke & Soffa (KLIC) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Kulicke & Soffa Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionKulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells capital equipment and tools used to assemble semiconductor devices. It operates through two segments, Capital Equipment, and Aftermarket Products and Services (APS). The company manufactures and sells advanced displays; die-transfer, flip-chip, and TCB advanced packaging products; ball bonder, die-attach, electronics assembly, lithography, wafer-level bonder, and wedge bonder products; consumables, such as capillaries, dicing blades, and wedge bonds; and auto offline programming, KNet PLUS, and new product introduction/manufacturing execution system software products. It also services, maintains, repairs, and upgrades equipment. The company serves semiconductor device manufacturers, integrated device manufacturers, outsourced semiconductor assembly and test providers, other electronics manufacturers, industrial manufacturers, and automotive electronics suppliers primarily in the United States and the Asia/Pacific region. Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. was founded in 1951 and is headquartered in Singapore.
How the Company Makes MoneyKulicke & Soffa generates revenue through the sale of semiconductor assembly equipment, which comprises a significant portion of its income. The company also earns money from consumables, spare parts, and maintenance services related to its equipment, creating a recurring revenue stream. Additionally, KLIC benefits from long-term contracts and partnerships with major semiconductor manufacturers and foundries, which provide stability and predictability in its earnings. The company's investment in research and development allows it to stay at the forefront of technology, leading to new product offerings that can command premium pricing and expand its market share.

Kulicke & Soffa Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 19, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 04, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call presented a positive outlook with strong revenue and earnings exceeding expectations, significant growth in general semiconductor and memory markets, and the introduction of new advanced packaging and dispense systems. However, challenges remain in automotive and industrial markets, and the transition to a new CEO introduces some uncertainty.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Revenue and Earnings Exceed Expectations
Revenue for the fourth fiscal quarter was $177.6 million, exceeding guidance. GAAP earnings per share were $0.12 and non-GAAP earnings per share were $0.28.
Growth in General Semiconductor and Memory Markets
General semiconductor revenue increased by 24% sequentially, and memory-related revenue increased by nearly 60% sequentially, supported by technology and capacity needs.
Strong Utilization Rates
Utilization rates for high-volume general semiconductor and memory applications are over 80%, with memory utilization rates reaching 82-83%.
Advanced Packaging and Dispense Initiatives
Introduction of ACELON, a new dispense system, and preparation to ship the first HBM system in December, supporting growth in advanced packaging and dispense solutions.
Share Repurchase Program
Deployed $16.7 million to repurchase 464,000 shares in the September quarter, and repurchased 2.4 million shares over fiscal 2025, representing nearly 5% of shares outstanding.
Negative Updates
Challenges in Automotive and Industrial Markets
Order hesitation and a relatively sharp sequential decline in automotive and industrial markets, though improvement is expected in the December quarter.
CEO Transition Amid Uncertainty
Interim CEO Lester Wong steps in following the retirement of Fusen Chen. While a search for a permanent successor is ongoing, the transition comes with inherent uncertainties.
Company Guidance
During the call, Kulicke and Soffa Industries provided guidance for the upcoming fiscal periods, emphasizing a sequential revenue increase of approximately 7% to $190 million for the December quarter, alongside anticipated gross margins of 47%. The company projected non-GAAP operating expenses to be around $71 million, with GAAP earnings per share expected to be $0.18 and non-GAAP earnings per share anticipated to reach $0.33. The guidance reflects optimism in the general semiconductor and memory markets, with utilization rates over 80% and a strong sequential increase in advanced packaging solutions (APS) demand. The company also highlighted its strategic focus on technology transitions and market share growth in new areas, estimating that half of its incremental growth in fiscal 2026 would stem from these transitions and share gains, while the other half would come from cyclical recovery, with full-year revenue expectations aligned with consensus estimates of $730-740 million.

Kulicke & Soffa Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Overall fundamentals are pressured by a sharp revenue decline (-57.2%), contracting gross margin (48.3% to 42.5%), and near-zero net margin with negative EBIT margins. Offsetting this, the balance sheet is relatively strong with low leverage, and cash generation is mixed but still supported by a positive free cash flow to net income relationship.
Income Statement
45
Neutral
Kulicke & Soffa's income statement shows significant challenges. The company has experienced a substantial decline in revenue over the past few years, with a negative revenue growth rate of -57.2% in the latest period. Gross profit margins have decreased from 48.3% in 2023 to 42.5% in 2025, indicating pressure on profitability. The net profit margin is extremely low at 0.03%, and EBIT margins have turned negative, reflecting operational inefficiencies.
Balance Sheet
65
Positive
The balance sheet remains relatively stable with a low debt-to-equity ratio, indicating conservative leverage. However, the return on equity has dropped significantly, reflecting reduced profitability. The equity ratio remains strong, suggesting a solid financial foundation despite recent performance challenges.
Cash Flow
50
Neutral
Cash flow analysis reveals a mixed picture. Free cash flow has declined, with a negative growth rate of -6.19% in the latest period. However, the company maintains a positive free cash flow to net income ratio, indicating some level of cash generation efficiency. Operating cash flow has improved, but overall cash flow performance is inconsistent.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue654.08M706.23M742.49M1.50B1.52B
Gross Profit306.37M320.90M352.56M743.40M691.01M
EBITDA38.58M-33.53M101.20M498.49M434.58M
Net Income213.00K-69.01M57.15M433.55M367.16M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.10B1.24B1.50B1.59B1.60B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments510.71M577.15M759.40M775.54M739.79M
Total Debt38.55M40.96M48.41M41.69M42.99M
Total Liabilities282.85M296.15M325.22M393.95M506.39M
Stockholders Equity821.49M944.01M1.17B1.19B1.10B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow96.36M14.89M129.00M367.20M277.26M
Operating Cash Flow113.56M31.04M173.40M390.19M300.03M
Investing Cash Flow27.66M-138.50M-91.34M133.80M-81.71M
Financing Cash Flow-153.07M-196.10M-111.88M-321.19M-44.26M

Kulicke & Soffa Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price57.33
Price Trends
50DMA
49.59
Positive
100DMA
44.65
Positive
200DMA
39.28
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
2.70
Positive
RSI
61.25
Neutral
STOCH
50.50
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For KLIC, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 57.33 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 56.25, above the 50-day MA of 49.59, and above the 200-day MA of 39.28, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 2.70 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 61.25 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 50.50 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for KLIC.

Kulicke & Soffa Risk Analysis

Kulicke & Soffa disclosed 33 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Kulicke & Soffa reported the most risks in the "Tech & Innovation" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Kulicke & Soffa Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
74
Outperform
$2.04B15.1011.89%-2.04%8.84%
71
Outperform
$2.70B20.8213.62%-20.69%-37.67%
69
Neutral
$11.95B38.957.27%0.81%0.13%-16.17%
68
Neutral
$5.46B134.224.16%2.29%-69.81%
61
Neutral
$37.18B12.37-10.20%1.83%8.50%-7.62%
56
Neutral
$3.00B14,332.500.02%1.77%-7.38%99.38%
53
Neutral
$1.33B-18.21-8.53%-4.50%-45.79%
* Technology Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KLIC
Kulicke & Soffa
57.33
14.92
35.19%
AMKR
Amkor
48.33
24.69
104.44%
ACLS
Axcelis Technologies
88.07
22.37
34.05%
COHU
Cohu
28.54
6.07
27.01%
FORM
Formfactor
70.49
30.91
78.09%
PLAB
Photronics
34.57
12.18
54.40%

Kulicke & Soffa Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Kulicke & Soffa CEO Retirement Announcement
Neutral
Oct 28, 2025

On October 28, 2025, Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc. announced the retirement of Dr. Fusen Chen from his role as President and CEO, effective December 1, 2025, due to health reasons. Lester Wong, the current Executive Vice President, Finance and IT, and Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed as Interim CEO while the Board searches for a permanent successor. Dr. Chen will remain as an advisor to the Board for a year to ensure a smooth transition. The company reaffirmed its fourth quarter fiscal 2025 outlook, highlighting its strategic focus on growth and innovation in sectors like AI, electric vehicles, and power semiconductors.

The most recent analyst rating on (KLIC) stock is a Hold with a $43.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Kulicke & Soffa stock, see the KLIC 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: Jan 16, 2026