Advertisement
KLAC vs ONTO
Which Stock Would AI Choose? KLA Corporation (KLAC) vs. Onto Innovation (ONTO) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- Scale contrast: KLAC is a semiconductor process control giant with a roughly $180 billion market capitalization, while ONTO is a faster-growing niche player valued near $8.5 billion.
- Momentum divergence: Both stocks were swept up in a semiconductor equipment sell-off in recent weeks, but KLAC's drawdown from its 52-week high has been shallower than ONTO's sharper, higher-beta decline.
- Profitability gap: KLAC's operating margin has climbed above 45%, reflecting dominant market share, while ONTO is reinvesting for expansion and carries a higher valuation multiple relative to trailing earnings.
- Growth catalysts: Both companies are leveraged to AI-driven demand for advanced packaging and high-bandwidth memory (HBM), with ONTO raising its advanced-packaging growth outlook and KLAC reporting record revenue.
- Tickeron AI Verdict: Based on trend consistency, stability, and relative positioning, the AI framework currently favors KLAC over ONTO.
- Explore more detail on KLAC Major News and KLAC Today's Price Move, plus ONTO Major News and ONTO Today's Price Move.
- Discover the best-performing automated strategies currently in the Trending AI Robots section.
Introduction
Investors tracking the semiconductor capital equipment cycle often weigh established leaders against smaller, faster-growing specialists. That is exactly the trade-off between KLAC and ONTO. Both companies supply process control, inspection, and metrology tools that chipmakers use to catch defects and maximize yield, and both are direct beneficiaries of rising AI infrastructure spending. Yet their market positioning, financial profiles, and risk characteristics differ markedly. This stock comparison examines recent performance, growth drivers, and relative momentum to help investors determine which name aligns with their objectives in the current market environment.
KLAC Overview and Recent Performance
KLA Corporation (KLAC) is a leading supplier of process control and process-enabling solutions used in semiconductor manufacturing, with its core Semiconductor Process Control business generating the large majority of its revenue. In its most recent fiscal quarter, the company reported record revenue of approximately $4.14 billion, up nearly 29% year over year, and an operating margin above 45%, its highest on record. Management guided December-quarter revenue to roughly $4.7 billion and pointed to strong demand for leading-edge chips, advanced packaging, and AI infrastructure.
Despite this operational strength, KLAC shares fell sharply in recent weeks as part of a broader semiconductor equipment sell-off driven by concerns over data-center spending and export restrictions. The stock declined roughly 30% from early August, though its drawdown remained smaller than that of several peers, and it rebounded in the most recent sessions. Analysts have largely maintained positive ratings, and the company continues to return cash through dividends and share repurchases.
ONTO Overview and Recent Performance
Onto Innovation (ONTO) designs and manufactures process control tools focused on macro-defect inspection, metrology, lithography, and advanced packaging applications. The company has been a notable beneficiary of AI-driven demand for HBM (high-bandwidth memory, a type of stacked memory used in AI chips) and 2.5D packaging. In its August quarter, ONTO posted revenue of about $343 million, up 35% year over year, with earnings per share (EPS, a measure of profit per share) of $1.93 and a record backlog above $1.1 billion. It also raised its advanced-packaging growth outlook.
ONTO's stock has been considerably more volatile than KLAC's. After rallying sharply in 2026, the shares gave back a large portion of that advance, retracing most of the gain before rebounding by double digits in a single session ahead of its upcoming quarterly report. The company recently received an award from memory maker SK hynix for defect prevention in HBM production, underscoring its technological relevance in the AI memory supply chain.
Trending AI Robots
For traders who prefer a systematic approach to stock comparison and timing, Tickeron's Trending AI Robots page offers a curated selection of automated trading strategies. Tickeron maintains hundreds of AI trading bots that collectively trade thousands of different tickers, each with its own trading style, strategy, timeframe, performance history, and set of securities. Only the bots best suited to current market conditions are highlighted in this curated section, helping users quickly identify strategies with demonstrated momentum. Whether you follow KLAC, ONTO, or the broader semiconductor complex, exploring the Trending AI Robots can provide an additional data-driven perspective on market positioning.
Head-to-Head Comparison
The two companies compete in adjacent segments of process control but differ sharply in scale and financial profile. KLAC is a diversified, high-margin leader with a large installed base, recurring service revenue, and the pricing power that comes from commanding share in wafer and reticle inspection. ONTO is a smaller, more specialized competitor whose growth is tightly linked to advanced packaging and HBM, giving it faster potential upside but also greater cyclical sensitivity.
On momentum, both stocks fell in the recent semiconductor rout, but ONTO's decline was steeper in percentage terms and it retraced nearly all of its 2026 rally before bouncing, reflecting its higher beta (a measure of volatility relative to the market). KLAC's shallower drawdown and record profitability point to greater relative stability. On valuation, ONTO trades at a premium trailing multiple but a lower forward multiple given its rapid expected EPS growth, while KLAC offers a more established earnings base and a modest dividend yield. The key trade-off is stability and scale versus higher-growth, higher-volatility exposure.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Weighing observable factors such as trend consistency, profitability, relative drawdown, and the strength of near-term catalysts, Tickeron's AI framework would currently favor KLAC. Its record revenue, rising operating margin, sizable backlog, and comparatively shallower decline from recent highs suggest a more stable and resilient market positioning than ONTO. While ONTO offers compelling growth tied to AI packaging and HBM, its higher volatility and heavier retracement introduce greater uncertainty in the near term. The AI verdict therefore leans toward KLAC, framed as a probabilistic assessment of relative strength rather than a definitive forecast.
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 StrongBuy and ONTO is a Buy.
KLAC's RSI Oscillator ascending out of oversold territory
The RSI Oscillator for KLAC moved out of oversold territory on November 06, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is shifting from a downward trend to an upward trend. Traders may want to buy the stock or call options. The A.I.dvisor looked at 12 similar instances when the indicator left oversold territory. In 11 of the 12 cases the stock moved higher. This puts the odds of a move higher at 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for KLAC just turned positive on November 11, 2026. Looking at past instances where KLAC's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 38 of 51 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 75%.
Following a +6.36% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where KLAC advanced for three days, in 264 of 341 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 77%.
KLAC may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator entered the overbought zone. Expect a price pull-back in the foreseeable future.
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on November 12, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on KLAC as a result. In 69 of 101 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 68%.
KLAC moved below its 50-day moving average on October 13, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for KLAC crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 19, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 11 of 15 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 73%.
The 50-day moving average for KLAC moved below the 200-day moving average on October 27, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where KLAC declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 60%.
The Aroon Indicator for KLAC entered a downward trend on November 12, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 15 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating very strong sales and a profitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 45 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to average earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 50 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is fair valued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 52 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 75, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 61 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating steady price growth. KLAC’s price grows at a higher rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 88 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: KLAC's P/B Ratio (28.462) is very high in comparison to the industry average of (5.670). P/E Ratio (37.633) is within average values for comparable stocks, (68.795). KLAC's Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (1.809) is slightly higher than the industry average of (0.801). Dividend Yield (0.007) settles around the average of (0.009) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (16.260) is also within normal values, averaging (27.897).
ONTO's RSI Oscillator ascending out of oversold territory
The RSI Oscillator for ONTO moved out of oversold territory on November 06, 2026. This could be a sign that the stock is shifting from a downward trend to an upward trend. Traders may want to buy the stock or call options. The A.I.dvisor looked at 22 similar instances when the indicator left oversold territory. In 20 of the 22 cases the stock moved higher. This puts the odds of a move higher at 90%.
Technical Analysis (Indicators)
Bullish Trend Analysis
The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) for ONTO just turned positive on November 10, 2026. Looking at past instances where ONTO's MACD turned positive, the stock continued to rise in 35 of 43 cases over the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 81%.
Following a +10.83% 3-day Advance, the price is estimated to grow further. Considering data from situations where ONTO advanced for three days, in 265 of 326 cases, the price rose further within the following month. The odds of a continued upward trend are 81%.
ONTO may jump back above the lower band and head toward the middle band. Traders may consider buying the stock or exploring call options.
Bearish Trend Analysis
The Stochastic Oscillator entered the overbought zone. Expect a price pull-back in the foreseeable future.
The Momentum Indicator moved below the 0 level on October 12, 2026. You may want to consider selling the stock, shorting the stock, or exploring put options on ONTO as a result. In 77 of 96 cases where the Momentum Indicator fell below 0, the stock fell further within the subsequent month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 80%.
ONTO moved below its 50-day moving average on October 12, 2026 date and that indicates a change from an upward trend to a downward trend.
The 10-day moving average for ONTO crossed bearishly below the 50-day moving average on October 16, 2026. This indicates that the trend has shifted lower and could be considered a sell signal. In 12 of 18 past instances when the 10-day crossed below the 50-day, the stock continued to move higher over the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 67%.
The 50-day moving average for ONTO moved below the 200-day moving average on November 04, 2026. This could be a long-term bearish signal for the stock as the stock shifts to an downward trend.
Following a 3-day decline, the stock is projected to fall further. Considering past instances where ONTO declined for three days, the price rose further in 50 of 62 cases within the following month. The odds of a continued downward trend are 76%.
The Aroon Indicator for ONTO entered a downward trend on November 12, 2026. This could indicate a strong downward move is ahead for the stock. Traders may want to consider selling the stock or buying put options.
Fundamental Analysis (Ratings)
The Tickeron PE Growth Rating for this company is 7 (best 1 - 100 worst), pointing to outstanding earnings growth. The PE Growth rating is based on a comparative analysis of stock PE ratio increase over the last 12 months compared against S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for this company is 60 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating well-balanced risk and returns. The average Profit vs. Risk Rating rating for the industry is 75, placing this stock slightly better than average.
The Tickeron Price Growth Rating for this company is 63 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating fairly steady price growth. ONTO’s price grows at a lower rate over the last 12 months as compared to S&P 500 index constituents.
The Tickeron Valuation Rating of 79 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is slightly overvalued in the industry. This rating compares market capitalization estimated by our proprietary formula with the current market capitalization. This rating is based on the following metrics, as compared to industry averages: P/B Ratio (4.423) is normal, around the industry mean (5.670). P/E Ratio (64.899) is within average values for comparable stocks, (68.795). Projected Growth (PEG Ratio) (0.817) is also within normal values, averaging (0.801). Dividend Yield (0.000) settles around the average of (0.009) among similar stocks. P/S Ratio (10.787) is also within normal values, averaging (27.897).
The Tickeron SMR rating for this company is 80 (best 1 - 100 worst), indicating weak sales and an unprofitable business model. SMR (Sales, Margin, Return on Equity) rating is based on comparative analysis of weighted Sales, Income Margin and Return on Equity values compared against S&P 500 index constituents. The weighted SMR value is a proprietary formula developed by Tickeron and represents an overall profitability measure for a stock.
The Tickeron Seasonality Score of 85 (best 1 - 100 worst) indicates that the company is significantly overvalued in the industry. The Tickeron Seasonality score describes the variance of predictable price changes around the same period every calendar year. These changes can be tied to a specific month, quarter, holiday or vacation period, as well as a meteorological or growing season.
KLAC | ONTO | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 16 | 18 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 88 Overvalued | 79 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 52 | 60 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 15 | 80 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 61 | 63 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 45 | 7 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 85 |
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.
ONTO's Valuation (79) in the null industry is in the same range as KLAC (88) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry. This means that ONTO’s stock grew similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's Profit vs Risk Rating (52) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as ONTO (60) in the null industry. This means that KLAC’s stock grew similarly to ONTO’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's SMR Rating (15) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is somewhat better than the same rating for ONTO (80) in the null industry. This means that KLAC’s stock grew somewhat faster than ONTO’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's Price Growth Rating (61) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as ONTO (63) in the null industry. This means that KLAC’s stock grew similarly to ONTO’s over the last 12 months.
ONTO's P/E Growth Rating (7) in the null industry is somewhat better than the same rating for KLAC (45) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry. This means that ONTO’s stock grew somewhat faster than KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
| KLAC | ONTO | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 90% | 1 day ago 90% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 70% | 1 day ago 83% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 68% | 3 days ago 80% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 75% | 1 day ago 81% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 77% | 1 day ago 82% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 70% | 1 day ago 72% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 77% | 3 days ago 81% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 9 days ago 60% | 9 days ago 76% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 90% | 1 day ago 90% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 1 day ago 59% | 1 day ago 71% |
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 1 FA rating(s) are green while ONTO’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- KLAC’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- ONTO’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 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 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while ONTO’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- KLAC’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 7 bearish.
- ONTO’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 7 bearish.
Price Growth
KLAC (@Electronic Production Equipment) experienced а +21.19% price change this week, while ONTO (@Electronic Production Equipment) price change was +34.41% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Production Equipment industry was +17.95%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -17.65%, and the average quarterly price growth was -32.96%.
Reported Earning Dates
KLAC is expected to report earnings on Feb 04, 2027.
ONTO is expected to report earnings on Feb 11, 2027.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronic Production Equipment (+17.95% 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.
Advertisement
ONTO and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, ONTO has been closely correlated with AMAT. These tickers have moved in lockstep 86% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if ONTO jumps, then AMAT could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To ONTO | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ONTO | 100% | -2.51% | ||
| AMAT - ONTO | 86% Closely correlated | -3.58% | ||
| LRCX - ONTO | 85% Closely correlated | -0.89% | ||
| KLAC - ONTO | 83% Closely correlated | -2.30% | ||
| ENTG - ONTO | 82% Closely correlated | -0.65% | ||
| UCTT - ONTO | 81% Closely correlated | -3.08% | ||
More | ||||