KLA Corporation (KLAC) AI Stock Analysis
KLAC AI stock analysis summary
AI ResearchKLA Corporation provides process control and yield management solutions for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing worldwide. In FY2026, the company generated $13.58B in revenue and $4.83B in net income, backed by an operating margin of 41.7%. The stock closed at $165.74 on October 16, 2026, supported by $3.77B in free cash flow and a forward P/E of 34.8x.
- Market cap
- $216.29B
- Revenue (TTM)
- $13.58B
- P/E
- 45.3x fwd 34.8x
- 1Y return
- 51.7% S&P 500 16.8%
- Avg. target
- $232.77 40.4% vs last close
Bull case
- Revenue reached $13.58B in FY2026 alongside a high operating margin of 41.7% and gross margin of 61.3%.
- Consensus estimates forecast FY2027 EPS to grow 44.6% to $5.44 on $18.14B in revenue.
- Analyst mean price target of $232.77 reflects 40.4% upside potential from the recent share price of $165.74.
Bear case
- Valuation multiples remain elevated, including a forward P/E of 34.8x compared to the median of its Nasdaq-100 Technology peers of 25.1x.
- Quarterly revenue growth of 15.2% trails the median of its Nasdaq-100 Technology peers of 31.9%.
- The stock trades 8.3% below its 200-day moving average and remains well below its 52-week high of $307.37.
What KLA does
Established in 1975 and based in Milpitas, California, KLA Corporation provides advanced process control, yield management, and process-enabling solutions. The company operates across four main segments: Semiconductor Process Control, Specialty Semiconductor Process, PCB, Display and Component Inspection, and Other. Its primary Semiconductor Process Control segment delivers wafer inspection, metrology, defect detection, reticle inspection, and substrate analysis systems to optimize integrated circuit manufacturing. Additionally, KLA provides benchtop metrology and surface characterization for specialty semiconductors, direct imaging and optical shaping solutions for printed circuit boards, and inspection equipment for display and packaging manufacturing.
Growth and profitability
KLA Corporation delivered a 5-year revenue CAGR of 14.4% from FY2021 to FY2026. Annual revenue grew from $9.21B in FY2022 to $10.50B in FY2023, declined 6.5% to $9.81B in FY2024, rebounded 23.9% to $12.16B in FY2025, and reached $13.58B in FY2026. Net income expanded from $3.32B in FY2022 to $4.83B in FY2026, with gross margin increasing to 61.3% and operating margin reaching 41.7%. For the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 2026, EPS was $3.66 on a 35.6% profit margin. In the latest quarter ended June 30, 2026, quarterly revenue grew 15.2% year-over-year while quarterly earnings rose 13.8%.
Balance sheet and cash flow
As of June 30, 2026, KLA held $4.90B in cash and short-term investments against $6.15B in total debt, resulting in net debt of $1.25B. Shareholders' equity stood at $6.35B, yielding a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97 and a current ratio of 2.88. Operating cash flow reached $4.14B in FY2026, supporting $3.77B in free cash flow after capital expenditures of $375.9M. The company deployed capital toward shareholder returns in FY2026 through $2.29B in share buybacks and $1.06B in dividends paid, contributing to a 13.4% reduction in share count over 5 years.
Valuation and performance
At $165.74, KLA trades at a trailing P/E of 45.3x and a forward P/E of 34.8x, compared to 42.1x and 25.1x for the median of its Nasdaq-100 Technology peers. Its enterprise value stands at $246.41B with an EV/EBITDA of 39.4x, above the peer median of 30.6x, and a price-to-sales multiple of 15.9x versus the peer median of 11.9x. Over the past year, KLA shares gained 51.7%, outperforming the S&P 500 return of 16.8%. Over a 5-year span, the stock appreciated 428.8% against 83.0% for the S&P 500.
KLAC dividend
KLA pays a forward annual dividend of $0.92 per share, representing a 0.56% dividend yield. The payout ratio stands at 22.3%, and dividends have been paid for 22 consecutive years. The dividend grew at an annualized rate of 16.2% over the past 5 years, with the last ex-dividend date on August 17, 2026.
What analysts expect
Wall Street coverage includes 15 Strong Buy, 5 Buy, and 10 Hold ratings, with zero Sell or Strong Sell ratings. The mean price target is $232.77, representing a 40.4% premium over the last close of $165.74. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, consensus estimates project revenue of $18.14B and EPS of $5.44, representing 44.6% EPS growth. KLA beat EPS estimates in each of the last 4 quarters, with its next earnings report scheduled for October 28, 2026.
Key risks and what to watch
- Cyclical semiconductor spending previously caused revenue to decline 6.5% during FY2024.
- The balance sheet carries $6.15B in total debt and $1.25B in net debt as of June 30, 2026.
- Higher market sensitivity is reflected in the stock's beta of 1.45.
AI-generated research summary. Written with AI from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 and checked so every figure matches that data. For information only, not investment advice. Disclaimer
About this KLAC AI stock analysis
This page is an AI-written research summary of KLA Corporation (KLAC). The text was generated on October 30, 2026 from Quotelinks data as of October 16, 2026 (company profile, annual results, latest balance sheet, valuation, price performance and analyst estimates). An automatic check rejects any draft that contains a figure not found in that data. It is not investment advice; verify figures on the linked tabs before making decisions.
Related: KLAC income statement, KLAC balance sheet, KLAC key metrics, KLAC analyst forecast, KLAC chart. See the KLAC stock overview for the latest quote and news.
KLAC AI stock analysis FAQ
What is KLA Corporation's dividend yield and payout track record?
KLA has a dividend yield of 0.56% with an annual forward payout of $0.92 per share. The company has paid dividends for 22 consecutive years and maintains a payout ratio of 22.3%.
When does KLA report earnings next?
KLA is scheduled to report earnings on October 28, 2026. The company beat EPS expectations in each of the trailing 4 quarters.
How did KLA perform financially in FY2026?
In FY2026, KLA generated $13.58B in revenue, marking 11.7% annual growth. Net income was $4.83B, resulting in diluted EPS of $3.76 and free cash flow of $3.77B.
How does KLA's valuation compare to its peer group?
KLA carries a trailing P/E of 45.3x and forward P/E of 34.8x, compared to the median of its Nasdaq-100 Technology peers of 42.1x and 25.1x, respectively. Its EV/EBITDA of 39.4x also sits above the peer median of 30.6x.