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KLAC vs LRCX
Which Stock Would AI Choose? KLA Corporation (KLAC) vs. Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Both KLAC and LRCX have surged in recent market activity amid a semiconductor rally, with year-to-date gains around 42% and 51%, respectively.
- KLAC, a leader in process control and inspection, benefits from high margins (around 62%) and a $7 billion share repurchase program boosting sentiment.
- LRCX, focused on etch and deposition equipment, shows stronger revenue scale ($20.6B TTM) and one-year returns exceeding 260%.
- Recent easing of geopolitical tensions and AI-driven demand have lifted both stocks over 20% in the past month, with comparable P/E ratios near 45-50.
- Tickeron's AI bots trading semiconductor tickers like KLAC and LRCX report annualized returns up to 153%.
Introduction
KLA Corporation (KLAC) and Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) are pivotal players in the semiconductor equipment sector, providing essential tools for chip manufacturing amid surging AI and electronics demand. This stock comparison analyzes their business models, recent performance, and market positioning to aid traders seeking momentum plays and investors eyeing long-term growth in wafer fabrication equipment (WFE). With both stocks riding a sector rally from easing supply-chain concerns, understanding their relative strengths in process control versus deposition/etch processes is key for portfolio decisions in today's volatile market environment.
KLAC Overview and Recent Performance
KLA Corporation (KLAC) specializes in process control, inspection, and metrology solutions for semiconductor manufacturing, helping chipmakers optimize yields across integrated circuit (IC) production. In recent market activity, KLAC shares have climbed over 20% in the past month and 42% year-to-date, outpacing the S&P 500. This momentum stems from a $7 billion share repurchase authorization signaling management confidence, alongside Q2 fiscal 2026 revenue of $3.3 billion (up 7.2% year-over-year) and EPS growth expectations of 8.9%. Easing geopolitical tensions have alleviated supply-chain fears, boosting sentiment in the sector. With a market cap near $227 billion and trailing P/E around 50, KLAC trades at a premium due to its dominant market share and recurring service revenue stability.
LRCX Overview and Recent Performance
Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) designs and services wafer fabrication equipment, focusing on etch, deposition, and clean processes critical for advanced nodes in semiconductors. Recent weeks have seen LRCX gain over 20% monthly and 51% year-to-date, reflecting robust AI memory demand. Q2 fiscal 2026 results showed revenue of $5.34 billion and EPS of $1.27, surpassing estimates, with TTM revenue at $20.6 billion. The stock's surge aligns with sector recovery from geopolitical easing, driving nearly 10% single-day gains at times. Trading at a market cap of about $325 billion and P/E near 53, LRCX benefits from higher revenue scale and exposure to high-growth deposition technologies, though with elevated volatility.
Trending AI Robots
Tickeron’s Trending AI Robots page curates the top performers from hundreds of AI trading bots that analyze thousands of tickers using advanced algorithms for technical and fundamental signals. Only the most suitable bots for current market conditions—those excelling in momentum, sector rotation, and volatility—earn a spot in this dynamic section. For instance, bots targeting semiconductors like LRCX, KLAC, and peers show annualized returns up to 153%, with win rates of 65-75% and profit factors exceeding 3.0 across 60-minute to daily timeframes. Other trending bots in industrials and communications boast 70-100% annualized returns and profit-to-drawdown ratios over 4. These diverse strategies, from swing trading dips to double-agent hedging, adapt to real-time conditions. Explore Tickeron’s AI tools to potentially enhance your trading edge.
Head-to-Head Comparison
KLAC and LRCX both thrive in semiconductor process equipment but diverge in focus: KLAC dominates inspection/metrology with superior gross margins (62% vs. 48%) and ROE (around 100%), offering stability via recurring services. LRCX leads in etch/deposition, driving faster revenue growth (26% TTM) and larger scale ($20.6B vs. $12.7B), with one-year returns over 260% versus KLAC's 180%. Recent momentum favors LRCX amid AI memory catalysts, but KLAC exhibits lower beta and buyback support. Risk factors include supply constraints and tariffs for both, with LRCX more exposed to cyclical WFE spending. Market sentiment tilts toward LRCX for growth, while KLAC appeals for defensive positioning in advanced packaging.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors LRCX due to its superior trend consistency, higher YTD gains (51% vs. 42%), and stronger revenue momentum from AI-driven deposition demand. Specialized bots trading LRCX show top annualized returns (153%), reflecting relative positioning in high-growth memory segments. However, KLAC’s margin edge and buyback provide stability, making it probabilistically competitive if sector volatility rises. Observable catalysts like WFE expansion tilt toward LRCX in the near term.
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 KLAC is a Hold and LRCX 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).
KLAC’s FA Score shows that 4 FA rating(s) are green whileLRCX’s FA Score has 4 green FA rating(s).
- KLAC’s FA Score: 4 green, 1 red.
- LRCX’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.
KLAC’s TA Score shows that 6 TA indicator(s) are bullish while LRCX’s TA Score has 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- KLAC’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
- LRCX’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
KLAC (@Electronic Production Equipment) experienced а +15.95% price change this week, while LRCX (@Electronic Production Equipment) price change was +21.42% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Production Equipment industry was +9.44%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +16.72%, and the average quarterly price growth was +95.44%.
Reported Earning Dates
KLAC is expected to report earnings on Apr 23, 2026.
LRCX is expected to report earnings on Apr 22, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronic Production Equipment (+9.44% 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.
| KLAC | LRCX | KLAC / LRCX | |
| Capitalization | 229B | 331B | 69% |
| EBITDA | 5.91B | 7.58B | 78% |
| Gain YTD | 44.055 | 55.087 | 80% |
| P/E Ratio | 50.89 | 54.45 | 93% |
| Revenue | 12.7B | 20.6B | 62% |
| Total Cash | 5.21B | 6.18B | 84% |
| Total Debt | 6.11B | 4.48B | 136% |
KLAC | LRCX | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 30 | 25 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 83 Overvalued | 81 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 6 | 4 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 13 | 17 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 4 | 2 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 14 | 8 | |
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.
LRCX's Valuation (81) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KLAC (83). This means that LRCX’s stock grew similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
LRCX's Profit vs Risk Rating (4) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KLAC (6). This means that LRCX’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 LRCX (17). This means that KLAC’s stock grew similarly to LRCX’s over the last 12 months.
LRCX's Price Growth Rating (2) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KLAC (4). This means that LRCX’s stock grew similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
LRCX's P/E Growth Rating (8) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KLAC (14). This means that LRCX’s stock grew similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
| KLAC | LRCX | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 60% | 2 days ago 57% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 63% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 74% | 2 days ago 76% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 79% | 2 days ago 82% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 73% | 2 days ago 79% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 76% | 2 days ago 79% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 73% | 2 days ago 81% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 17 days ago 62% | 17 days ago 65% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 68% | 2 days ago 77% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 75% | 2 days ago 80% |
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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 88% 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% | -2.66% | ||
| LRCX - KLAC | 88% Closely correlated | -2.66% | ||
| AMAT - KLAC | 87% Closely correlated | -0.35% | ||
| NVMI - KLAC | 79% Closely correlated | +0.47% | ||
| ASML - KLAC | 79% Closely correlated | -2.41% | ||
| ADI - KLAC | 79% Closely correlated | -0.19% | ||
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LRCX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, LRCX has been closely correlated with AMAT. These tickers have moved in lockstep 88% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if LRCX jumps, then AMAT could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To LRCX | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LRCX | 100% | -2.66% | ||
| AMAT - LRCX | 88% Closely correlated | -0.35% | ||
| KLAC - LRCX | 88% Closely correlated | -2.66% | ||
| ASML - LRCX | 82% Closely correlated | -2.41% | ||
| NVMI - LRCX | 81% Closely correlated | +0.47% | ||
| RMBS - LRCX | 80% Closely correlated | -1.33% | ||
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