Advertisement
AMAT vs KLAC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Applied Materials (AMAT) vs. KLA Corporation (KLAC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both AMAT and KLAC are semiconductor-equipment leaders riding the same AI-driven capital-spending cycle, but they have diverged in recent relative performance and stability.
- KLAC has shown a smaller drawdown from its highs, accelerating revenue growth, and a rising wafer-equipment outlook, while AMAT carries larger China exposure and a heavier recent pullback ahead of earnings.
- Tickeron AI Verdict: KLAC — its trend consistency, margin stability, and strengthening fundamentals currently give it a relative edge over AMAT.
- Investors can review each name's latest developments on dedicated pages: AMAT Major News and AMAT Today's Price Move, plus KLAC Major News and KLAC Today's Price Move.
- For automated, data-driven trading ideas across both tickers and thousands more, explore Trending AI Robots.
Introduction
Applied Materials (AMAT) and KLA Corporation (KLAC) are two of the most widely followed names in semiconductor capital equipment, the industry that supplies the machinery used to manufacture advanced chips. Because both companies generate revenue from the same underlying demand — artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, leading-edge logic, and high-bandwidth memory — they frequently move together, yet their business models, margins, and risk profiles differ meaningfully. This stock comparison is relevant for investors and traders seeking to understand relative performance, market positioning, and which of the two may currently offer more consistent momentum within a volatile sector.
AMAT Overview and Recent Performance
Applied Materials is the largest diversified semiconductor-equipment supplier, offering deposition, etching, planarization, and materials-engineering systems across logic, DRAM (dynamic random-access memory), and advanced packaging. Its scale gives it broad exposure to the AI build-out, but also ties its results closely to overall wafer-fab-equipment (WFE) spending. In recent weeks, AMAT has experienced sharp volatility: the stock pulled back substantially from its 52-week high set in mid-2026, falling roughly 38% over a recent month-long stretch alongside the broader chip-equipment group. Sentiment has been pressured by concerns about AI data-center spending, potential regulatory shifts, and the company's sizable China revenue, which recently represented about 26% of core revenue. Fundamentally, however, results have remained strong — fiscal Q3 revenue rose about 25% year over year to a record, and management guided fiscal Q4 revenue near $10.25 billion, up roughly 51% year over year. The company has also deepened its strategic partnership with BE Semiconductor Industries (Besi), raising its stake to about 20% to expand its advanced-packaging capabilities. The upcoming earnings report is a key catalyst for the stock.
KLAC Overview and Recent Performance
KLA Corporation is the leading provider of process-control and inspection equipment, the tools chipmakers use to detect defects and measure quality throughout manufacturing. This focus makes KLAC a "picks-and-shovels" beneficiary of rising chip complexity, since more advanced devices require more inspection and metrology per wafer. In recent market activity, KLAC has also declined from its highs — down roughly 30% over a comparable stretch — but its pullback has been smaller than that of peers. Its fiscal Q1 results exceeded expectations, with revenue up about 29% year over year and earnings above consensus, followed by strong forward guidance. Management has raised its calendar-2026 wafer-equipment outlook multiple times to the mid-$150 billion range and framed 2027 growth above $200 billion. Operating margin reached a record in the latest quarter, though gross margin remains pressured by elevated memory-component costs. The company completed a 10-for-1 stock split in mid-2026, and its process-control intensity, memory exposure, and advanced-packaging momentum are central to its current narrative.
Trending AI Robots
Tickeron operates a marketplace of AI-driven trading robots that collectively trade thousands of different tickers, including AMAT and KLAC. Because market conditions change constantly, not every bot is equally well-suited at any given moment. The Trending AI Robots page curates only the best-performing and most relevant bots for the current environment, selected from hundreds of available strategies. These robots vary widely in trading style, strategy, timeframe, performance history, and the sets of tickers they trade — from short-term momentum systems to longer-horizon trend models — giving users a way to benchmark automated approaches against one another. Investors interested in a data-driven perspective on this semiconductor-equipment comparison can explore the page to review the latest top-ranked bots and their recent statistics.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The two companies compete in overlapping end markets but occupy different niches. AMAT is broader and more diversified, selling a wider range of fabrication tools, which amplifies its upside when overall WFE spending accelerates but also concentrates its sensitivity to China-related export controls. KLAC is more specialized in process control, a segment where rising chip complexity and defect-reduction needs support structural demand regardless of which chipmaker wins share. On momentum, KLAC has demonstrated greater relative stability, with a smaller drawdown from its high and three consecutive quarters of accelerating revenue growth, while AMAT faces near-term uncertainty into its earnings release. KLAC also operates at structurally higher margins and has raised its industry outlook repeatedly; AMAT counters with larger scale, a record revenue guide, and a strategic advanced-packaging investment. In terms of market sentiment, both remain exposed to the same macro concern — whether AI data-center spending sustains — but KLAC's steadier fundamental cadence and more defensive equipment category currently distinguish it.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, stability, catalysts, and relative positioning, Tickeron's AI would currently favor KLAC over AMAT. KLAC has exhibited a smaller relative drawdown, accelerating revenue growth, consecutive earnings beats, record operating margins, and a repeatedly upgraded industry outlook — qualities that suggest a more consistent trend profile in a turbulent market. AMAT's scale and forthcoming record quarter remain compelling, but its larger China exposure and heavier recent decline introduce greater near-term variability. This verdict reflects a probabilistic, relative assessment of current market positioning rather than a definitive prediction of future returns.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is AMAT is a Buy and KLAC is a StrongBuy.
AMAT in upward trend: price may ascend as a result of having broken its lower Bollinger Band on November 05, 2026
AMAT may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options. In 30 of 34 cases where AMAT's price broke its lower Bollinger Band, its price rose further in the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 88%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The RSI Indicator points to a transition from a downward trend to an upward trend -- in cases where AMAT's RSI Indicator exited the oversold zone, 24 of 29 resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 83%.
The Stochastic Oscillator suggests the stock price trend may be in a reversal from a downward trend to an upward trend. 44 of 55 cases where AMAT's Stochastic Oscillator exited the oversold zone resulted in an increase in price. Tickeron's analysis proposes that the odds of a continued upward trend are 80%.
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for AMAT just turned positive on November 11, 2026. Looking at past instances where AMAT's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 36 of 46 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 78%.
Following a +6.62% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where AMAT advanced for three days, in 250 of 315 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 79%.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on October 13, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on AMAT as a result. In 50 of 86 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 58%.
AMAT moved below its 50-day moving average on October 13, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for AMAT crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 19, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 9 of 14 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 64%.
The 50-day moving average for AMAT moved below the 200-day moving average on November 09, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where AMAT declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 66%.
The Aroon Indicator for AMAT entered a downward trend on November 12, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 25 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 39 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to consistent earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 59 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 75, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 61 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. AMAT’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 74 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (10.304) is normal, around the industry mean (5.670). P/E Ratio (28.486) is within average values for comparable stocks, (68.795). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.967) is also within normal values, averaging (0.801). Dividend Yield (0.006) settles around the average of (0.009) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (10.764) is also within normal values, averaging (27.897).
KLAC's RSI Indicator recovers from oversold territory
The RSI Oscillator for KLAC moved out of oversold territory on November 06, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is shifting from a downward trend to an upward trend. Traders may want to buy the stock or call options. The A.I.dvisor looked at 12 similar instances when the indicator left oversold territory. In 11 of the 12 cases the stock moved higher. This puts the odds of a move higher at 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for KLAC just turned positive on November 11, 2026. Looking at past instances where KLAC's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 38 of 51 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 75%.
Following a +6.36% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where KLAC advanced for three days, in 264 of 341 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 77%.
KLAC may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator entered the overbought zone. Expect a price pull-back in the foreseeable future.
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on November 12, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on KLAC as a result. In 69 of 101 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 68%.
KLAC moved below its 50-day moving average on October 13, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for KLAC crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 19, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 11 of 15 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 73%.
The 50-day moving average for KLAC moved below the 200-day moving average on October 27, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where KLAC declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 60%.
The Aroon Indicator for KLAC entered a downward trend on November 12, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 15 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 45 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 52 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 75, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 61 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. KLAC’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 88 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: KLAC's P/B Ratio (28.462) is very high in comparison to the industry average of (5.670). P/E Ratio (37.633) is within average values for comparable stocks, (68.795). KLAC's Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.809) is slightly higher than the industry average of (0.801). Dividend Yield (0.007) settles around the average of (0.009) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (16.260) is also within normal values, averaging (27.897).
AMAT | KLAC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 15 | 16 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 74 Overvalued | 88 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 59 | 52 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 25 | 15 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 61 | 61 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 39 | 45 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
AMAT's Valuation (74) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KLAC (88). This means that AMAT’s stock grew similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's Profit vs Risk Rating (52) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as AMAT (59). This means that KLAC’s stock grew similarly to AMAT’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's SMR Rating (15) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as AMAT (25). This means that KLAC’s stock grew similarly to AMAT’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's Price Growth Rating (61) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as AMAT (61). This means that KLAC’s stock grew similarly to AMAT’s over the last 12 months.
AMAT's P/E Growth Rating (39) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KLAC (45). This means that AMAT’s stock grew similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
| AMAT | KLAC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 83% | 1 day ago 90% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 80% | 1 day ago 70% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 58% | 1 day ago 68% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 78% | 1 day ago 75% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 78% | 1 day ago 77% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 70% | 1 day ago 70% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 79% | 2 days ago 77% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 66% | 8 days ago 60% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 88% | 1 day ago 90% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 71% | 1 day ago 59% |
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is overvalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
AMAT’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green while KLAC’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- AMAT’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- KLAC’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
AMAT’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while KLAC’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AMAT’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 6 bearish.
- KLAC’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 7 bearish.
Price Growth
AMAT (@Electronic Production Equipment) experienced а +19.33% price change this week, while KLAC (@Electronic Production Equipment) price change was +21.19% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Production Equipment industry was +17.95%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -17.65%, and the average quarterly price growth was -32.96%.
Reported Earning Dates
KLAC is expected to report earnings on Feb 04, 2027.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronic Production Equipment (+17.95% weekly)The electronic production equipment industry makes equipment used to produce semiconductors. Such equipment includes wafer fabrication, plasma etching and photo-resist processing equipment. The industry also makes chemical vapor deposition processing systems and photomasks, which are high-purity quartz plates that contain patterns to define integrated circuits layouts. Applied Materials, Inc., Lam Research Corporation, and KLA-Tencor Corporation are examples of electronic production equipment manufacturing companies.
Advertisement
KLAC and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, KLAC has been closely correlated with LRCX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 89% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if KLAC jumps, then LRCX could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To KLAC | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KLAC | 100% | -2.30% | ||
| LRCX - KLAC | 89% Closely correlated | -0.89% | ||
| AMAT - KLAC | 89% Closely correlated | -3.58% | ||
| NVMI - KLAC | 84% Closely correlated | -3.81% | ||
| ONTO - KLAC | 83% Closely correlated | -2.51% | ||
| ASML - KLAC | 83% Closely correlated | -2.43% | ||
More | ||||