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KLAC vs NXPI
Which Stock Would AI Choose? KLA Corporation (KLAC) vs. NXP Semiconductors (NXPI) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- KLAC has delivered stronger year-to-date returns than NXPI, supported by robust demand for semiconductor process control equipment tied to artificial intelligence infrastructure.
- KLAC reported record fiscal Q4 2026 revenue of $3.66 billion with a substantial backlog providing visibility into 2027 and beyond.
- NXPI posted solid Q2 2026 revenue growth of 19.5% year-over-year to $3.5 billion, driven by automotive and industrial segments, though its stock has shown more modest recent performance.
- KLAC benefits from higher exposure to advanced packaging and AI-related process control, while NXPI maintains a diversified portfolio across automotive, industrial, and Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
- Both companies operate in the semiconductor sector but differ in business models, with KLAC focused on equipment and NXPI on chip design and supply.
- Market sentiment has favored KLAC amid AI tailwinds in recent weeks, while NXPI has emphasized steady capital returns including dividends.
Introduction
This comparison examines KLAC and NXPI, two semiconductor companies with distinct roles in the supply chain. KLA Corporation provides process control and yield management solutions essential for semiconductor manufacturing, while NXP Semiconductors supplies mixed-signal chips primarily for automotive, industrial, and IoT markets. The analysis appeals to traders and investors seeking to understand relative performance, sector positioning, and momentum shifts within the broader technology landscape amid evolving artificial intelligence and automotive trends.
KLAC Overview and Recent Performance
KLA Corporation specializes in inspection, metrology, and process control equipment critical for semiconductor fabrication. In recent market activity, KLAC shares have shown resilience with year-to-date gains near 46% and one-year returns around 70%, outperforming broader market benchmarks. Recent weeks featured volatility tied to sector-wide movements, including a notable gain of over 4% on September 18, 2026, amid renewed interest in AI infrastructure spending. The company reported record fiscal Q4 2026 revenue of $3.66 billion, exceeding expectations, alongside a backlog exceeding $12 billion that offers visibility through 2027. Advanced packaging process control revenues are projected to reach approximately $1.1 billion in calendar 2026, reflecting strong demand drivers in this area.
NXPI Overview and Recent Performance
NXP Semiconductors N.V. designs and supplies semiconductors for automotive, industrial, and communication infrastructure applications. In recent market activity, NXPI shares have posted more measured gains, with year-to-date returns around 6% and one-year performance near 2%. The company delivered Q2 2026 revenue of $3.5 billion, up 19.5% year-over-year and above consensus, supported by growth in automotive and data center-related segments. Recent developments include dividend declarations and expansion of manufacturing facilities in Malaysia. Insider transactions and broader sector sentiment have influenced trading, with the stock trading near $228 as of mid-September 2026 amid steady but less pronounced momentum compared to equipment peers.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
KLAC and NXPI contrast sharply in business models and growth drivers. KLAC operates in semiconductor equipment with high exposure to capital expenditure cycles and artificial intelligence process intensity, delivering superior recent momentum and profitability margins. NXPI focuses on chip supply for end-markets like automotive and industrial, offering more diversified revenue streams but lower recent price appreciation and different cyclical sensitivities. Risk factors include valuation multiples for KLAC and end-market demand fluctuations for NXPI. Sector exposure positions KLAC closer to AI infrastructure buildout, while NXPI aligns with physical AI and automotive electrification themes. Market sentiment has tilted toward equipment names like KLAC in recent weeks due to backlog visibility and AI tailwinds.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors including trend consistency, backlog stability, and relative positioning within AI-driven demand, Tickeron’s AI would currently assign a higher probabilistic preference to KLAC over NXPI. Stronger recent performance metrics and catalysts in process control support this assessment, though outcomes remain subject to broader market conditions and sector rotations.
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 KLAC is a Buy and NXPI is a Buy.
KLAC | NXPI | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 35 | 21 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 88 Overvalued | 37 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 36 | 76 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 15 | 35 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 39 | 45 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 13 | 70 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 90 | 14 |
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.
NXPI's Valuation (37) in the Semiconductors industry is somewhat better than the same rating for KLAC (88) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry. This means that NXPI’s stock grew somewhat faster than KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's Profit vs Risk Rating (36) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is somewhat better than the same rating for NXPI (76) in the Semiconductors industry. This means that KLAC’s stock grew somewhat faster than NXPI’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's SMR Rating (15) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as NXPI (35) in the Semiconductors industry. This means that KLAC’s stock grew similarly to NXPI’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's Price Growth Rating (39) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as NXPI (45) in the Semiconductors industry. This means that KLAC’s stock grew similarly to NXPI’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's P/E Growth Rating (13) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is somewhat better than the same rating for NXPI (70) in the Semiconductors industry. This means that KLAC’s stock grew somewhat faster than NXPI’s over the last 12 months.
| KLAC | NXPI | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 58% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 67% | 2 days ago 70% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 80% | 2 days ago 71% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 81% | N/A |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 77% | 2 days ago 68% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 80% | 2 days ago 69% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 4 days ago 77% | 2 days ago 65% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 9 days ago 59% | 9 days ago 67% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 66% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 67% |
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).
KLAC’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green while NXPI’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s).
- KLAC’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- NXPI’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 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 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while NXPI’s TA Score has 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- KLAC’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
- NXPI’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
KLAC (@Electronic Production Equipment) experienced а +7.07% price change this week, while NXPI (@Semiconductors) price change was +3.92% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Production Equipment industry was +7.30%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +18.83%, and the average quarterly price growth was +32.78%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Semiconductors industry was +3.30%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +15.30%, and the average quarterly price growth was +62.49%.
Reported Earning Dates
KLAC is expected to report earnings on Oct 28, 2026.
NXPI is expected to report earnings on Oct 27, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronic Production Equipment (+7.30% 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.
@Semiconductors (+3.30% weekly)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.
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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 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% | +2.77% | ||
| LRCX - KLAC | 87% Closely correlated | +3.53% | ||
| AMAT - KLAC | 87% Closely correlated | +3.50% | ||
| NVMI - KLAC | 86% Closely correlated | +0.36% | ||
| ONTO - KLAC | 81% Closely correlated | +2.29% | ||
| ASML - KLAC | 81% Closely correlated | -0.18% | ||
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NXPI and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NXPI has been closely correlated with MCHP. These tickers have moved in lockstep 79% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if NXPI jumps, then MCHP could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To NXPI | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NXPI | 100% | +0.70% | ||
| MCHP - NXPI | 79% Closely correlated | +0.94% | ||
| MCHPP - NXPI | 78% Closely correlated | +0.47% | ||
| ENTG - NXPI | 78% Closely correlated | +2.87% | ||
| LRCX - NXPI | 77% Closely correlated | +3.53% | ||
| KLAC - NXPI | 76% Closely correlated | +2.77% | ||
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