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AMAT vs KLAC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Applied Materials (AMAT) vs. KLA Corporation (KLAC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both AMAT and KLAC are leading semiconductor equipment providers benefiting from sustained AI-driven chip demand in recent market activity.
- AMAT has delivered stronger year-to-date performance, with returns exceeding 100%, supported by multiple analyst price target upgrades.
- KLAC offers greater exposure to process control and metrology, with a business model featuring higher recurring revenue components that may contribute to relative stability.
- Recent weeks have seen volatility across semiconductor equipment stocks, including pullbacks amid broader market rotations, though analyst sentiment remains constructive on long-term growth drivers for both companies.
- Upcoming earnings reports—AMAT in mid-August and KLAC imminently—will provide key updates on demand trends and guidance.
- Valuation multiples for both remain elevated relative to historical norms, reflecting market pricing for continued semiconductor capital spending.
Introduction
Applied Materials (AMAT) and KLA Corporation (KLAC) represent two cornerstone companies in the semiconductor capital equipment sector. AMAT supplies a broad range of wafer fabrication tools, while KLAC specializes in process control and inspection systems essential for yield optimization. This comparison is particularly relevant for traders and investors seeking targeted exposure to the semiconductor supply chain amid ongoing artificial intelligence infrastructure buildout. Market participants monitoring relative performance, sector positioning, and earnings catalysts may find the analysis useful for evaluating allocation decisions between these complementary yet distinct businesses in the current environment.
AMAT Overview and Recent Performance
Applied Materials develops equipment for deposition, etching, and other critical steps in semiconductor manufacturing. In recent weeks, the stock has experienced notable volatility following a strong year-to-date advance exceeding 100%. Multiple analyst firms raised price targets during July, citing sustained demand for advanced nodes tied to artificial intelligence applications. The company reported record fiscal second-quarter results earlier in the year, with revenue growth and margin expansion. Recent market activity reflects broader semiconductor sector swings, including a pullback on July 24 amid general market rotation, yet sentiment around long-term AI-related spending remains supportive. Upcoming fiscal third-quarter results scheduled for mid-August represent the next key catalyst.
KLAC Overview and Recent Performance
KLA Corporation focuses on process control, metrology, and inspection solutions that help semiconductor manufacturers improve yields. The stock has posted solid year-to-date gains of approximately 70-80% but has encountered volatility in recent weeks, including a notable decline on July 24. Analysts continue to highlight the company’s recurring revenue streams from service and software offerings. Fiscal fourth-quarter earnings, expected shortly, will offer updates on demand trends and full-year guidance. Market positioning reflects participation in the same secular semiconductor expansion as peers, tempered by valuation considerations following the prior rally. Recent analyst commentary has noted both opportunities in advanced packaging and memory segments alongside caution on elevated multiples.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Applied Materials and KLA Corporation both serve the semiconductor equipment ecosystem but occupy different segments of the value chain. AMAT provides a wider array of fabrication tools, exposing it to broader capital expenditure cycles, whereas KLAC emphasizes yield-enhancing process control with a larger services component. Recent momentum has favored AMAT on a year-to-date basis, accompanied by more frequent analyst target increases. KLAC has shown relative resilience in certain volatility episodes due to its business mix. Sector exposure is similar, centered on leading-edge logic and memory production driven by artificial intelligence demand, though both face risks from export controls, cyclical spending patterns, and elevated valuation levels. Trade-offs include AMAT’s potentially higher growth sensitivity versus KLAC’s emphasis on stability through recurring revenue.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, earnings visibility, and relative positioning in recent market activity, Tickeron’s AI framework would currently assign a probabilistic edge to KLAC. Its business profile, with greater recurring revenue elements, aligns with models favoring stability amid sector volatility. AMAT demonstrates stronger recent momentum and analyst attention, which could support outperformance if capital spending accelerates further. The assessment remains data-driven and subject to change with new earnings information or shifts in market breadth.
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 Hold and KLAC is a Hold.
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 undervalued. 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 2 FA rating(s) are green whileKLAC’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- AMAT’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- KLAC’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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, 5 bearish.
- KLAC’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 6 bearish.
Price Growth
AMAT (@Electronic Production Equipment) experienced а +5.12% price change this week, while KLAC (@Electronic Production Equipment) price change was +7.15% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Production Equipment industry was +8.88%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +0.07%, and the average quarterly price growth was +52.55%.
Reported Earning Dates
AMAT is expected to report earnings on Aug 13, 2026.
KLAC is expected to report earnings on Oct 28, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronic Production Equipment (+8.88% 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.
| AMAT | KLAC | AMAT / KLAC | |
| Capitalization | 428B | 259B | 165% |
| EBITDA | 11.1B | 6.06B | 183% |
| Gain YTD | 105.765 | 63.400 | 167% |
| P/E Ratio | 50.72 | 54.13 | 94% |
| Revenue | 29B | 13.1B | 221% |
| Total Cash | 8.24B | 613M | 1,344% |
| Total Debt | 7.27B | 6.15B | 118% |
AMAT | KLAC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 72 | 82 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 70 Overvalued | 83 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 36 | 38 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 25 | 13 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 36 | 40 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 8 | 11 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 90 | 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 (70) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KLAC (83). This means that AMAT’s stock grew similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
AMAT's Profit vs Risk Rating (36) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KLAC (38). This means that AMAT’s stock grew similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's SMR Rating (13) 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.
AMAT's Price Growth Rating (36) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KLAC (40). This means that AMAT’s stock grew similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
AMAT's P/E Growth Rating (8) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KLAC (11). This means that AMAT’s stock grew similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
| AMAT | KLAC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 89% | 1 day ago 73% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 70% | 1 day ago 81% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 77% | 1 day ago 68% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 76% | 5 days ago 73% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 77% | 1 day ago 78% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 66% | 1 day ago 66% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 79% | 1 day ago 78% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 64% | 11 days ago 57% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 86% | 1 day ago 90% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 71% | 1 day ago 54% |
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| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| MFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| FIZRX | 42.57 | 0.03 | +0.07% |
| Nomura Opportunity R | |||
| BGATX | 13.79 | N/A | N/A |
| Baillie Gifford Global Alpha Equities 2 | |||
| FSAAX | 18.77 | -0.07 | -0.37% |
| Fidelity Advisor Asset Manager 60% A | |||
| WSCOX | 18.81 | -0.10 | -0.53% |
| Allspring Disciplined Small Cap Inst | |||
| PMDAX | 22.87 | -0.13 | -0.57% |
| Principal Small-MidCap Dividend Inc A | |||
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 87% 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% | +0.22% | ||
| LRCX - KLAC | 87% Closely correlated | -0.54% | ||
| AMAT - KLAC | 87% Closely correlated | -1.27% | ||
| NVMI - KLAC | 84% Closely correlated | -5.23% | ||
| ASML - KLAC | 80% Closely correlated | +1.56% | ||
| ONTO - KLAC | 79% Closely correlated | -2.64% | ||
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