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ASML vs KLAC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? ASML Holding (ASML) vs. KLA Corporation (KLAC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- ASML and KLAC both operate in the semiconductor equipment sector, with ASML dominating extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography and KLAC leading in process control and yield management.
- Over the past year, ASML has delivered stronger total returns compared to KLAC, though both have shown significant volatility in recent weeks amid broader market swings.
- ASML reported robust Q2 2026 results with raised full-year sales guidance, while KLAC has maintained solid momentum from AI-driven demand in its core segments.
- Market capitalization favors ASML at over $640 billion versus roughly $231 billion for KLAC, reflecting differences in scale and product focus.
- Recent sentiment for both stocks has been influenced by AI infrastructure spending, with relative performance hinging on order visibility and macroeconomic factors affecting chip capital expenditures.
- Valuations remain elevated for both, with price-to-earnings ratios in the mid-to-high 40s to low 50s range, underscoring the premium placed on their growth profiles.
Introduction
This comparison examines ASML Holding and KLAC (KLA Corporation), two prominent players in the semiconductor capital equipment industry. Both companies supply critical technology to chipmakers advancing artificial intelligence and high-performance computing applications. The analysis focuses on recent market activity, business positioning, and performance metrics to assist experienced investors and traders evaluating relative opportunities within the sector. It is particularly relevant for those monitoring semiconductor supply chain dynamics and AI-related capital expenditure trends.
ASML Overview and Recent Performance
ASML Holding is the leading provider of lithography systems used in semiconductor manufacturing, holding a dominant position in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) technology essential for producing advanced chips. In recent market activity, the stock has exhibited volatility, with a notable pullback in mid-September followed by recovery, closing near $1,680 on September 18, 2026. Year-to-date gains stand at approximately 58%, supported by strong Q2 2026 financial results that included revenue of about €9.3 billion and an upward revision to the 2026 sales outlook. Sentiment has been buoyed by sustained demand from logic and memory customers, though broader sector fluctuations have tempered near-term momentum.
KLAC Overview and Recent Performance
KLAC (KLA Corporation) specializes in process control and inspection equipment that helps semiconductor manufacturers improve yields and manage complex production processes. The stock has shown resilience amid market swings, closing at $176.99 on September 18, 2026, after a 4.7% gain that day. Year-to-date performance reflects gains of about 46%, with one-year returns around 70%. Recent activity includes fluctuations tied to sector sentiment, yet the company continues to benefit from ongoing investments in AI infrastructure. Performance has been supported by consistent demand for its yield management solutions, though it has experienced periodic drawdowns similar to peers.
Trending AI Robots
Tickeron’s Trending AI Robots page highlights a curated selection of high-performing AI trading bots from hundreds available across thousands of tickers. Only those demonstrating the strongest alignment with prevailing market conditions earn placement in this section. Bots feature diverse trading styles, strategies, timeframes, and performance statistics, with many tracking semiconductor names like ASML and KLAC. Available data often includes win rates ranging from 60-80% and varying profit factors depending on the bot’s parameters. This resource provides traders with transparent metrics to evaluate automated strategies suited to current conditions. Explore Trending AI Robots for detailed bot profiles and performance histories.
Head-to-Head Comparison
ASML’s business model centers on capital-intensive lithography equipment with high barriers to entry, creating durable competitive advantages but exposing it to longer sales cycles and geopolitical risks in supply chains. In contrast, KLAC focuses on process control tools that generate more recurring revenue through service and consumables, offering potentially steadier cash flows. Growth drivers for both tie to AI chip production, yet ASML benefits from extended order visibility into 2027, while KLAC may capture near-term yield improvements across more fabrication steps. Recent momentum has favored ASML in total returns, though KLAC has posted sharper daily rebounds. Risk factors include cyclical capital spending for both, with ASML facing greater concentration in a few large customers. Sector exposure overlaps heavily in semiconductors, but market sentiment often shifts in tandem with broader tech valuations.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as trend consistency, earnings visibility, and relative positioning in AI-driven demand, Tickeron’s AI models currently assign a modestly higher probability of favorable near-term performance to ASML. Its stronger order backlog and recent upward guidance revisions provide a slight edge in stability compared to KLAC’s more variable short-term momentum. This assessment remains probabilistic and subject to evolving market data.
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 ASML is a Buy and KLAC is a Buy.
ASML | KLAC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 37 | 32 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 83 Overvalued | 88 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 19 | 36 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 20 | 15 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 38 | 39 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 9 | 13 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 90 | 90 |
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.
ASML's Valuation (83) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KLAC (88). This means that ASML’s stock grew similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
ASML's Profit vs Risk Rating (19) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KLAC (36). This means that ASML’s stock grew similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's SMR Rating (15) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as ASML (20). This means that KLAC’s stock grew similarly to ASML’s over the last 12 months.
ASML's Price Growth Rating (38) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KLAC (39). This means that ASML’s stock grew similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
ASML's P/E Growth Rating (9) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KLAC (13). This means that ASML’s stock grew similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
| ASML | KLAC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 82% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 64% | 2 days ago 64% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 77% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 77% | 2 days ago 77% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 76% | 2 days ago 77% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 75% | 2 days ago 81% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 72% | 3 days ago 77% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 8 days ago 68% | 8 days ago 59% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 81% | N/A |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 65% | 2 days ago 64% |
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).
ASML’s FA Score shows that 3 FA rating(s) are green while KLAC’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- ASML’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 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.
ASML’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while KLAC’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ASML’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 3 bearish.
- KLAC’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
ASML (@Electronic Production Equipment) experienced а +3.84% price change this week, while KLAC (@Electronic Production Equipment) price change was +3.76% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Production Equipment industry was +6.62%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +16.95%, and the average quarterly price growth was +28.84%.
Reported Earning Dates
ASML is expected to report earnings on Oct 14, 2026.
KLAC is expected to report earnings on Oct 28, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronic Production Equipment (+6.62% 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.
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ASML and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ASML has been closely correlated with LRCX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 86% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if ASML jumps, then LRCX could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To ASML | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASML | 100% | -1.24% | ||
| LRCX - ASML | 86% Closely correlated | +1.44% | ||
| AMAT - ASML | 82% Closely correlated | -0.12% | ||
| KLAC - ASML | 81% Closely correlated | -0.81% | ||
| NVMI - ASML | 79% Closely correlated | +0.02% | ||
| ONTO - ASML | 74% Closely correlated | +1.03% | ||
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