This stock comparison examines ASX and KLAC, two key players in the semiconductor ecosystem benefiting from AI-driven demand and chip manufacturing expansion. Traders and investors tracking relative performance in technology stocks, particularly those exposed to cyclical semiconductor trends, will find value here. With both exhibiting strong YTD gains but differing in business focus and scale, understanding their market positioning aids in assessing sector rotation opportunities and portfolio diversification amid volatile market conditions.
ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. (ASX) is a leading provider of semiconductor manufacturing services, specializing in packaging, testing, and electronic manufacturing services (EMS). Headquartered in Taiwan, it serves global clients in computing, communications, and automotive sectors. In recent market activity, ASX shares have surged, trading around $30 with a market cap near $66 billion, up sharply from its 52-week low of $8.46. This momentum stems from robust demand for advanced packaging amid AI chip growth, bolstered by positive first-quarter 2026 results showing revenue of 173.66 billion TWD and earnings of 14.15 billion TWD. Sentiment has improved with analyst upgrades and steady dividend yield of about 1.15%, though its beta of 1.18 signals above-average volatility.
KLA Corporation (KLAC) designs and manufactures process control and yield management solutions for semiconductors, including inspection and metrology tools essential for wafer fabrication. Based in California, it supports the global electronics supply chain. Recently, KLAC shares hover near $1,809, with a substantial market cap of $238 billion, within a 52-week range of $674 to $1,939. Performance reflects steady semiconductor demand, enhanced by a $7 billion share buyback and 21% dividend hike announced earlier in the year, alongside high return on equity (ROE) exceeding 100%. However, shares have faced pressure ahead of quarterly earnings, with a beta of 1.43 indicating heightened sensitivity to sector swings.
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ASX and KLAC share semiconductor exposure but differ in models: ASX as a contract manufacturer emphasizes outsourcing scalability, while KLAC provides specialized equipment with higher margins (35.8% profit margin vs. ASX's lower). Growth drivers include AI and advanced nodes for both, yet ASX benefits more from packaging demand. Recent momentum favors ASX's 88% YTD surge over KLAC's 49%, though KLAC offers superior ROE and free cash flow. Risks involve industry cyclicality and geopolitics, with ASX more Taiwan-exposed; KLAC shows stronger balance sheet leverage. Market sentiment remains positive for semis, with comparable high P/E ratios signaling premium valuations.
Tickeron’s AI currently favors ASX over KLAC, driven by stronger trend consistency, superior YTD relative performance, and recent earnings catalysts in a semiconductor upcycle. While KLAC exhibits greater stability and scale, ASX's momentum positions it probabilistically better for near-term outperformance amid AI tailwinds.
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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).
ASX’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileKLAC’s FA Score has 4 green FA rating(s).
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.
ASX’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while KLAC’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
ASX (@Semiconductors) experienced а +13.30% price change this week, while KLAC (@Electronic Production Equipment) price change was +4.97% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Semiconductors industry was -0.05%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -2.24%, and the average quarterly price growth was +92.77%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Production Equipment industry was -0.28%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +8.67%, and the average quarterly price growth was +129.72%.
ASX is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
KLAC is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
The semiconductor industry manufacturers all chip-related products, including research and development. These chips are used in innumerable electronic devices, including computers, cell phones, smartphones, and GPSs. Intel Corporation, NVIDIA Corp., and Broadcomm are some of the prominent players in this industry. Semiconductor companies usually tend to do well during periods of healthy economic growth, thereby inducing further research and development in the industry – which in turn augurs well for productivity and growth in the economy. In the near future, demand for semiconductor products (and possibly innovation within the segment) should only expand further, with the proliferation of 5G, autonomous vehicles, IoT, and various AI-driven electronics set to herald a new, advanced chapter in the technology-driven world as we know it. With burgeoning prospects comes great competition. In 2015, SIA estimated that U.S. semiconductor industry ranks as the second most competitive U.S. industry out of 2882 U.S. industries designated manufacturers by the U.S. Census Bureau.
@Electronic Production Equipment (-0.28% 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.
| ASX | KLAC | ASX / KLAC | |
| Capitalization | 93.4B | 352B | 27% |
| EBITDA | 137B | 6.06B | 2,260% |
| Gain YTD | 170.932 | 127.620 | 134% |
| P/E Ratio | 67.78 | 76.23 | 89% |
| Revenue | 671B | 13.1B | 5,122% |
| Total Cash | 114B | 613M | 18,597% |
| Total Debt | 256B | 6.15B | 4,166% |
ASX | KLAC | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 89 | 43 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 57 Fair valued | 91 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 2 | 2 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 61 | 13 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 35 | 3 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 5 | 7 | |
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.
ASX's Valuation (57) in the Semiconductors industry is somewhat better than the same rating for KLAC (91) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry. This means that ASX’s stock grew somewhat faster than KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
ASX's Profit vs Risk Rating (2) in the Semiconductors industry is in the same range as KLAC (2) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry. This means that ASX’s stock grew similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's SMR Rating (13) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is somewhat better than the same rating for ASX (61) in the Semiconductors industry. This means that KLAC’s stock grew somewhat faster than ASX’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's Price Growth Rating (3) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as ASX (35) in the Semiconductors industry. This means that KLAC’s stock grew similarly to ASX’s over the last 12 months.
ASX's P/E Growth Rating (5) in the Semiconductors industry is in the same range as KLAC (7) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry. This means that ASX’s stock grew similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
| ASX | KLAC | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 65% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 66% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 76% | N/A |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 76% | 2 days ago 71% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 76% | 2 days ago 77% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 72% | 2 days ago 79% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 75% | 2 days ago 77% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 14 days ago 59% | 26 days ago 61% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 70% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 77% |
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, KLAC 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 KLAC jumps, then LRCX could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To KLAC | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KLAC | 100% | +3.70% | ||
| LRCX - KLAC | 86% Closely correlated | +5.27% | ||
| AMAT - KLAC | 85% Closely correlated | +3.74% | ||
| NVMI - KLAC | 81% Closely correlated | +1.35% | ||
| ADI - KLAC | 79% Closely correlated | +2.54% | ||
| QCOM - KLAC | 77% Closely correlated | -1.86% | ||
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