ChartMill · Sep 19, 2026
KLA Corp (NASDAQ:KLAC): Affordable Growth Backed by Strong Profitability
KLA Corp passes Affordable Growth screen with steady double-digit growth, strong ROIC, and reasonable valuation despite high P/E for investors.
NASDAQ · KLAC
KLA Corporation
Technology · Semiconductors
$176.99
Up+$8.01 (+4.74%)
Updated Sep 20, 2026, 10:14 AM
SID Score
5.2/10
Composite research score
Smart Money
38/100
Bearish
- Market cap
- 163.8B
- P/E ratio
- 38.77
- Dividend yield
- 4.18%
- 52-week range
- $165.89 – $2,156.69
- Volume
- 20.07M
- Avg. volume
- 1.02M
Price performance
KLAC price history
1M range · 19 trading sessions · Daily adjusted prices
KLAC closed at $176.99 after 19 trading sessions, down 2.52% for the selected period.
- Last close
- $176.99
- Period change
- -2.52%
- Period low
- $167.36
- Period high
- $188.98
Daily close
View OHLC price history
| Date | Open | High | Low | Close | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 18, 2026 | $170.50 | $177.14 | $169.72 | $176.99 | 20.07M |
| Sep 17, 2026 | $172.995 | $173.79 | $167.26 | $168.98 | 9.9M |
| Sep 16, 2026 | $171.52 | $171.72 | $165.892 | $167.36 | 6.71M |
| Sep 15, 2026 | $172.00 | $172.07 | $165.93 | $168.02 | 7.91M |
| Sep 14, 2026 | $168.08 | $173.029 | $167.57 | $169.09 | 12.06M |
| Sep 11, 2026 | $181.71 | $182.41 | $177.01 | $180.64 | 7.49M |
| Sep 10, 2026 | $176.67 | $180.64 | $174.18 | $177.18 | 10.64M |
| Sep 9, 2026 | $187.56 | $189.91 | $179.55 | $182.91 | 9.11M |
| Sep 8, 2026 | $190.15 | $190.87 | $185.84 | $188.98 | 12.4M |
| Sep 4, 2026 | $177.90 | $187.36 | $173.46 | $185.60 | 12.73M |
| Sep 3, 2026 | $169.47 | $173.09 | $167.05 | $172.94 | 6.86M |
| Sep 2, 2026 | $171.76 | $172.95 | $167.56 | $172.26 | 6.47M |
| Sep 1, 2026 | $172.74 | $173.1965 | $168.07 | $170.89 | 10.48M |
| Aug 31, 2026 | $176.86 | $177.61 | $174.17 | $175.45 | 7.61M |
| Aug 28, 2026 | $182.04 | $182.60 | $174.70 | $175.54 | 9.97M |
| Aug 27, 2026 | $185.01 | $186.78 | $180.85 | $183.77 | 6.56M |
| Aug 26, 2026 | $183.41 | $184.26 | $179.70 | $183.83 | 5.96M |
| Aug 25, 2026 | $184.58 | $186.13 | $180.71 | $183.34 | 8.9M |
| Aug 24, 2026 | $180.02 | $182.84 | $176.45 | $181.57 | 9.87M |
Latest KLAC news
The latest Smart Investors Daily articles mentioning KLAC.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 1, 2026 | UBS | Neutral | — |
| Jul 29, 2026 | Needham | Buy | — |
| Jul 29, 2026 | Jefferies | Buy | — |
| Jul 29, 2026 | Deutsche Bank | Hold | — |
| Jul 29, 2026 | Wells Fargo | Overweight | — |
News briefing
No generated briefing is available yet.
Yahoo · Sep 18, 2026
KLA (KLAC) Is Getting Fresh Attention, What Is The Market Weighing?
Fresh research from Zacks that compares KLA (KLAC) with Daktronics has put valuation in the spotlight, as both shares carry the same earnings-focused rank but very different value scores and pricing metrics. KLA’s recent share price has retreated, with the stock down 13.25% over the past 30 days and 34.90% over 90 days. However, the year-to-date share price return of 32.59% alongside a 1-year total shareholder return of 62.31% signals longer term momentum that remains firmly positive despite...
Yahoo · Sep 17, 2026
DAKT vs. KLAC: Which Stock Should Value Investors Buy Now?
DAKT vs. KLAC: Which Stock Is the Better Value Option?
Benzinga · Sep 17, 2026
10 Information Technology Stocks With Whale Alerts In Today’s Session
This whale alert can help traders discover the next big trading opportunities. Whales are entities with large sums of money and we track their transactions here at Benzinga on our options activity scanner. Traders will
AI research layers
Interpretive context generated from the platform’s current data sources.
KLA Corporation Stock Performance
KLA Corporation shares have experienced sustained downward pressure across multiple timeframes, with the stock trading at $176.99 per SID market data. Over the past month, KLAC has declined 5.49%, while the three-month period reflects a steeper 31.81% drawdown, indicating accelerating selling momentum. On a trailing twelve-month basis, the stock has fallen 85.18%, representing significant value destruction for shareholders. Technically, KLAC trades below its 50-day moving average of $192.75, confirming near-term bearish positioning. The stock also sits dramatically below its 200-day moving average of $1,095.28, underscoring the severity of the longer-term decline. The 14-day RSI registers at 51.2, placing the stock in neutral territory and suggesting neither overbought nor oversold conditions at current levels. Average daily volume stands at approximately 1.02 million shares, per Massive/Polygon data, while the beta of 1.437 indicates KLAC carries above-average market sensitivity.
KLA Corporation Valuation Analysis
KLA Corporation currently carries a market capitalization of approximately $163.8 billion, per SID market data, positioning it among the larger players in the semiconductor equipment sector. The stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 38.77, which reflects a premium valuation relative to the broader Technology sector. The PEG ratio stands at 8.11, according to SID market data, suggesting that the current earnings multiple substantially exceeds the company's projected growth rate — a metric that warrants scrutiny from growth-oriented investors. The price-to-book ratio registers at 32.95, indicating the market values KLAC at nearly 33 times its book value per SEC filings, characteristic of asset-light, high-margin business models. KLA offers a dividend yield of approximately 0.59%, providing modest income return. Collectively, these valuation metrics indicate that KLAC is priced at elevated multiples across key fundamental measures despite the significant share price decline over the trailing year.
Smart Money Activity for KLAC
Smart money indicators for KLA Corporation paint a decidedly bearish picture, with the composite smart money score registering at just 38 out of 100, generating a bearish signal per SID market data. Institutional positioning represents the strongest component at a perfect 25 out of 25, indicating robust fund-level ownership and conviction. However, insider activity tells a contrasting story, scoring only 4.0 out of 25. According to SEC Form 4 filings, there have been 20 insider transactions over the past 90 days, with sells outnumbering buys at a ratio of nearly six to one — 17 sells versus just 3 purchases. This elevated insider selling cadence suggests that company executives and directors have been actively reducing personal exposure. Dark pool activity scores a moderate 8.5 out of 25, per 13F institutional filings, while congressional trading activity is minimal at 0.8 out of 25. The divergence between strong institutional holdings and persistent insider selling creates a notable tension in the smart money landscape surrounding KLAC.
KLA Corporation Earnings Outlook
KLA Corporation has demonstrated a pattern of exceeding Wall Street expectations in its most recent quarterly results. Per company earnings reports, the fiscal quarter reported on April 29 delivered earnings of $9.40 per share against an analyst consensus estimate of $9.15, representing a positive surprise of $0.25 or approximately 2.7%. The preceding quarter, reported on July 28, posted earnings of $1.05 per share versus the $1.00 estimate, producing a $0.05 beat. Looking ahead, analysts project earnings of $8.97 per share for the quarter with results expected on January 30, according to analyst estimates. The subsequent quarter carries an estimated $1.00 per share in earnings with a reporting date of July 30. KLA's consistent ability to surpass consensus estimates reflects disciplined execution, though the notable variation in quarterly earnings magnitudes suggests seasonal or cyclical dynamics within the semiconductor equipment demand environment.
Wall Street Analyst Ratings for KLAC
Wall Street consensus on KLA Corporation reflects a moderately constructive stance with some notable divisions. Per SID consensus data, the most recent rating action came from UBS on September 1, which maintained a Neutral rating on the stock. Following the late-July earnings report, four firms issued updated coverage: Needham reiterated a Buy rating, Jefferies maintained its Buy recommendation, Wells Fargo sustained an Overweight position, and Deutsche Bank held its Hold rating, according to Wall Street analyst reports. Of the five most recent analyst actions, three firms carry bullish designations (Buy or Overweight), representing 60% of the sample, while two firms maintain neutral stances at Hold or Neutral. Notably, no analysts among recent coverage initiations or reiterations have issued a Sell or Underweight rating on KLAC. All five recent actions were reiterations of existing ratings rather than upgrades or downgrades, suggesting analysts view the current risk-reward profile as consistent with their prior assessments despite the stock's significant price decline.
