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ASML vs KLAC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? ASML Holding N.V. (ASML) vs. KLA Corporation (KLAC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- ASML leads in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography with near-monopoly status, while KLAC dominates process control and inspection, holding about 50% market share.
- Year-to-date, KLAC outperforms at 42% gains versus ASML's 35%, driven by a $7 billion buyback and semiconductor rally.
- Recent volatility hits both from U.S.-China export curbs, with ASML more exposed to China sales restrictions, potentially impacting 2026 revenue.
- ASML secured an $8 billion EUV order from SK Hynix, bolstering its backlog amid AI demand.
- Both stocks trade at premium valuations (ASML P/E 51, KLAC P/E 50), reflecting AI infrastructure growth but cyclical risks.
- One-year returns favor KLAC at over 180% versus ASML's 145%.
Introduction
ASML Holding N.V. and KLA Corporation (KLAC) are pivotal in the semiconductor equipment sector, enabling advanced chip production for AI, computing, and electronics. ASML specializes in lithography systems, while KLAC excels in inspection and metrology. This stock comparison analyzes their relative performance, growth drivers, and market positioning amid surging AI demand and geopolitical tensions. Traders monitoring semiconductor momentum and long-term investors evaluating equipment leaders in cyclical markets will find insights into contrasts in risk profiles, sentiment shifts, and trading opportunities.
ASML Overview and Recent Performance
ASML Holding N.V., headquartered in Veldhoven, Netherlands, is the global leader in lithography systems, particularly extreme ultraviolet (EUV) machines essential for manufacturing cutting-edge semiconductors at advanced nodes. With nearly 90% market share in EUV, it powers chipmakers like TSMC in producing smaller, faster chips for AI applications. In recent market activity, ASML shares have shown volatility, sinking around 4% in a session due to proposed U.S. export controls targeting China sales, which could hit 2026 revenue by double digits. Year-to-date gains reach 35%, with one-year returns at 145%, supported by strong installed base growth and an $8 billion EUV order from SK Hynix. Sentiment reflects optimism on AI-driven demand from South Korea and Taiwan offsetting China exposure, alongside upcoming Q1 earnings anticipation.
KLAC Overview and Recent Performance
KLA Corporation, based in Milpitas, California, designs process control, inspection, and metrology solutions that optimize semiconductor yield and quality across wafer fabrication, reticles, and packaging. Commanding about 50% market share, it serves global chipmakers with high-margin, recurring service revenue. Recent weeks have brought sharp gains, with shares rising over 10% on a $7 billion share repurchase authorization and easing supply-chain concerns amid sector rally. Year-to-date performance stands at 42%, outpacing peers, while one-year returns exceed 180%, fueled by AI infrastructure investments and advanced packaging momentum. Sentiment benefits from strong Q2 results beating estimates, though tempered by broader sector pressures like geopolitical risks.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
ASML and KLAC anchor complementary roles in semiconductor manufacturing: ASML's capital-intensive EUV systems drive node shrinks for logic chips, while KLAC's inspection tools enhance yield across wafers and packaging. Growth catalysts converge on AI capex, but KLAC gains more from recurring services (high gross margins ~62%) versus ASML's system sales. Recent momentum tilts to KLAC with superior YTD returns, though ASML shows steadier trend consistency via massive backlogs. Risk factors differ: ASML faces acute China export bans (33% systems revenue), while KLAC enjoys broader diversification and buyback support. Sector exposure is aligned on advanced nodes, but KLAC edges in stability (dividend yield ~0.45%). Market sentiment favors KLAC for value at similar P/E levels, trading off ASML's innovation premium.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors KLAC for its stronger recent momentum, superior YTD performance, diversified revenue less vulnerable to export restrictions, and shareholder-friendly $7 billion buyback enhancing stability. While ASML boasts unmatched EUV positioning and order backlog, KLAC's high-margin process control aligns better with near-term AI yield optimization trends, offering higher probability of relative outperformance amid volatility.
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 Disclaimers and Limitations.
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 StrongBuy and KLAC is a StrongBuy.
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).
ASML’s FA Score shows that 3 FA rating(s) are green whileKLAC’s FA Score has 4 green FA rating(s).
- ASML’s FA Score: 3 green, 2 red.
- KLAC’s FA Score: 4 green, 1 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 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while KLAC’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- ASML’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- KLAC’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
ASML (@Electronic Production Equipment) experienced а +12.23% price change this week, while KLAC (@Electronic Production Equipment) price change was +14.53% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Production Equipment industry was +13.41%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +10.75%, and the average quarterly price growth was +91.31%.
Reported Earning Dates
ASML is expected to report earnings on Apr 15, 2026.
KLAC is expected to report earnings on Apr 23, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronic Production Equipment (+13.41% 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.
| ASML | KLAC | ASML / KLAC | |
| Capitalization | 555B | 228B | 243% |
| EBITDA | 12.6B | 5.91B | 213% |
| Gain YTD | 38.542 | 43.162 | 89% |
| P/E Ratio | 51.31 | 50.58 | 101% |
| Revenue | 32.7B | 12.7B | 257% |
| Total Cash | 13.3B | 5.21B | 255% |
| Total Debt | 4.39B | 6.11B | 72% |
ASML | KLAC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 67 | 80 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 78 Overvalued | 83 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 26 | 6 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 19 | 13 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 38 | 4 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 20 | 15 | |
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.
ASML's Valuation (78) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KLAC (83). This means that ASML’s stock grew similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's Profit vs Risk Rating (6) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as ASML (26). This means that KLAC’s stock grew similarly to ASML’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's SMR Rating (13) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as ASML (19). This means that KLAC’s stock grew similarly to ASML’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's Price Growth Rating (4) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is somewhat better than the same rating for ASML (38). This means that KLAC’s stock grew somewhat faster than ASML’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's P/E Growth 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 | KLAC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 66% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 69% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 72% | 2 days ago 74% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 71% | 2 days ago 73% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 75% | 2 days ago 73% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 75% | 2 days ago 76% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 72% | 2 days ago 73% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 5 days ago 67% | 12 days ago 62% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 88% | 2 days ago 71% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 62% | N/A |
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| State Street®SPDR®MSCIACWIClmPrsAlgndETF | |||
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| Stratified LargeCap Hedged ETF | |||
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