SeekingAlpha · Aug 27, 2026
KLA: The AI Yield Bottleneck Is Becoming More Valuable
KLA (KLAC) may outperform as chip complexity risesâAI-driven inspection demand, recurring services, and 2027 EPS outlook. See more here.
NASDAQ · KLAC
KLA Corporation
Technology · Semiconductors
$175.54
Down-$8.23 (-4.48%)
Updated Aug 31, 2026, 8:27 AM
SID Score
5.1/10
Composite research score
Smart Money
35/100
Bearish
- Market cap
- 163.8B
- P/E ratio
- 38.77
- Dividend yield
- 4.22%
- 52-week range
- $169.81 – $2,156.69
- Volume
- 9.97M
- Avg. volume
- 1.02M
Price performance
KLAC price history
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Stock researchCompany · Overview
KLAC research
Overview
Company profile and research snapshot.
Company profile
KLA is one of the largest semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment, or WFE, manufacturers in the world. It specializes in the market segment of semiconductor process control, wherein machines inspect semiconductor wafers during research and development and manufacturing for defects and verify precise measurements. In this section of the market, KLA holds a majority share. It also has a small exposure to the etch and deposition segments of the WFE market. It counts as top customers the largest chipmakers in the world, including TSMC and Samsung.
Visit company websiteAnalyst outlook
Consensus and target data currently published for this company.
- Consensus
- Buy
- Average target
- $1,294.86
- Implied upside
- —
- Analysts
- 19
| Date | Firm | Rating | Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 29, 2026 | Needham | Buy | — |
| Jul 29, 2026 | Jefferies | Buy | — |
| Jul 29, 2026 | Deutsche Bank | Hold | — |
| Jul 29, 2026 | Wells Fargo | Overweight | — |
| Jul 29, 2026 | Susquehanna | Neutral | — |
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SeekingAlpha · Aug 25, 2026
KLA Corporation: Buy The 2027+ Double Tailwind
KLA Corporation is a Buy after a sharp selloff, with fundamentals and a 2027 outlook improving despite high market expectations. Read more on KLAC stock here.
Benzinga · Aug 25, 2026
Here’s How Much You Would Have Made Owning KLA Stock In The Last 10 Years
KLA (NASDAQ:KLAC) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 25.51% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 38.89%. Currently, KLA has a market capitalization of $241.58 billion. Buying
Yahoo · Aug 22, 2026
KLA (KLAC) Stock Looks Overvalued After Strong Earnings Based Optimism
KLA stock has delivered a very large 5 year return, yet the latest valuation checks suggest the shares now lean expensive rather than clear value. After that kind of run, investors are weighing strong historical gains against a low overall value score. KLA has returned approximately 463.3% over the past 5 years, which raises the bar for what future performance would need to justify the current share price. Expectations for ongoing demand in KLA's core semiconductor equipment markets can...
AI research layers
Interpretive context generated from the platform’s current data sources.
KLA Corporation Stock Performance
KLA Corporation shares have experienced significant downward pressure across multiple timeframes, with the stock trading at $175.54 per SID market data. Over the past month, KLAC has declined 2.66%, while the three-month and one-year losses stand at a steep 90.87% and 85.51%, respectively. The stock is trading well below its 50-day moving average of $213.67 and dramatically below its 200-day moving average of $1,187.94, signaling sustained bearish momentum. The 14-day relative strength index sits at 35.4, approaching oversold territory but not yet triggering a traditional oversold signal below 30. Average daily trading volume registers at approximately 1.02 million shares, per Massive/Polygon data. KLA's beta of 1.437 indicates the stock carries notably higher volatility than the broader market, which has amplified downside moves during this extended selloff period across the semiconductor equipment sector.
KLA Corporation Valuation Analysis
KLA Corporation currently carries a market capitalization of approximately $163.8 billion, per SID market data. The company's price-to-earnings ratio stands at 38.77, reflecting a premium valuation relative to many technology sector peers despite the significant price decline. The PEG ratio of 8.11 suggests the stock's earnings multiple is elevated relative to its projected growth rate, according to SEC filings and consensus estimates. KLA's price-to-book ratio of 32.95 underscores the asset-light, intellectual-property-driven nature of its semiconductor inspection and metrology business. The company maintains a dividend yield of approximately 0.59%, providing a modest income component for shareholders. Within the broader technology sector, KLA's valuation metrics indicate the market continues to price in substantial future earnings power from its dominant position in process control equipment, even as the stock has retreated sharply from prior highs across all measured timeframes.
Smart Money Activity for KLAC
KLA Corporation's composite smart money score registers at 35 out of 100, generating a bearish signal per SID market data. The institutional component scores a perfect 25 out of 25, indicating strong institutional ownership and positioning, while other categories paint a more cautious picture. The insider trading score sits at just 4.0 out of 25, reflecting heavily lopsided selling activity. According to SEC Form 4 filings, there have been 20 insider transactions in the last 90 days, comprising only 3 purchases against 17 sales. This pronounced sell-to-buy ratio of nearly 6-to-1 suggests corporate insiders have been actively reducing their exposure. The dark pool activity score of 5.0 out of 25 indicates limited off-exchange accumulation by large institutional buyers. Congressional trading activity scores a minimal 0.8 out of 25, per 13F institutional filings. The divergence between strong institutional holdings and weak insider confidence creates a mixed but predominantly bearish smart money profile for KLAC shareholders to monitor.
KLA Corporation Earnings Outlook
KLA Corporation has demonstrated a consistent pattern of exceeding analyst expectations in its recent earnings reports. In the most recently reported quarter, the company posted earnings of $9.40 per share against a consensus estimate of $9.15, delivering a positive surprise of $0.25, according to company earnings reports. A prior quarter also showed a beat, with actual results of $1.05 per share versus the $1.00 estimate, representing a $0.05 upside surprise. Looking ahead, analysts project earnings of approximately $8.97 per share for the upcoming reporting period dated January 30, 2026, while the subsequent quarter ending July 30, 2026 carries an estimate of $1.00 per share, per analyst estimates. The sequential decline in forward estimates warrants attention, as it may reflect anticipated cyclical softening in semiconductor capital equipment demand. KLA's track record of beating estimates provides a degree of confidence around forward projections.
Wall Street Analyst Ratings for KLAC
Wall Street coverage of KLA Corporation reflects a moderately constructive but divided consensus following the most recent earnings cycle. Per SID consensus data, five analysts issued updated ratings on July 29, 2026, with the majority maintaining their prior positions. Needham reiterated a Buy rating, while Jefferies also maintained its Buy recommendation, signaling continued confidence in KLA's long-term fundamentals. Wells Fargo upheld its Overweight rating, aligning with the bullish camp. On the more cautious side, Deutsche Bank reiterated a Hold rating, and Susquehanna maintained its Neutral stance, per Wall Street analyst reports. Notably, none of the five covering analysts adjusted their directional stance, with all reiterating prior recommendations rather than upgrading or downgrading. This results in approximately 60% of recent ratings carrying a bullish or overweight designation, while 40% remain neutral. The absence of any Sell ratings suggests analysts view current price levels as establishing a potential floor despite recent underperformance.
