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COHR or FSLR or KLAC
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Coherent Corp (COHR) vs. First Solar (FSLR) vs. KLA Corporation (KLAC) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- COHR has delivered explosive gains, with YTD returns around 48% and 1-year returns exceeding 255%, driven by AI data center optics demand.
- FSLR shows mixed performance, with YTD gains near 27% but recent monthly declines of over 14% amid earnings misses and policy uncertainties in solar.
- KLAC maintains strong momentum, boasting YTD returns of about 29% and 1-year gains over 116%, fueled by semiconductor process control and advanced packaging growth.
- AI-related exposure gives COHR and KLAC an edge in recent market activity over FSLR's renewable energy focus.
- Valuation premiums reflect growth prospects, with COHR trading at higher multiples tied to datacenter catalysts.
Introduction
This comparison examines COHR, FSLR, and KLAC, three stocks spanning photonics, solar energy, and semiconductor equipment. These companies operate in technology-driven sectors sensitive to AI infrastructure, renewable transitions, and chip manufacturing trends. Traders seeking momentum in high-growth areas like datacenters and semiconductors, or investors eyeing relative performance in renewables, will find value in analyzing their recent trajectories, sector exposures, and market positioning amid evolving economic conditions.
COHR Overview and Recent Performance
Coherent Corp (COHR) develops engineered materials, optoelectronic components, and laser systems for industrial, communications, and datacenter applications. In recent market activity, COHR has surged, with shares climbing over 6% in a single session following S&P 500 inclusion and analyst upgrades, contributing to YTD gains of approximately 48% and 1-year returns surpassing 255%. Sentiment has been bolstered by strong datacenter segment growth, including book-to-bill ratios exceeding 4x, AI infrastructure demand, and positive earnings surprises like Q2 non-GAAP EPS of $1.29, up 35.8% year-over-year. Price action reflects operational leverage and reduced debt, though elevated valuations signal sensitivity to tech spending cycles.
FSLR Overview and Recent Performance
First Solar (FSLR) manufactures thin-film photovoltaic solar modules and provides utility-scale solar solutions globally. Recent weeks have seen volatility, with shares declining around 14% monthly amid Q4 earnings misses—EPS of $4.84 versus expected $5.22—and softer 2026 guidance of $4.9-5.2 billion in sales. Despite YTD returns near 27% and 1-year gains of 45%, performance lags peers due to geopolitical tensions, policy uncertainties, and analyst downgrades to Strong Sell. Positive backlog and cash balances offer stability, but margin pressures and estimate cuts have tempered sentiment in the solar sector.
KLAC Overview and Recent Performance
KLA Corporation (KLAC) designs process control and yield management solutions for semiconductor manufacturing. Recent performance remains robust, with YTD returns around 29% and 1-year gains over 116%, supported by advanced packaging revenue growth exceeding 70% in calendar 2025. Shares have shown resilience amid supply constraints, with Q3 revenue guidance at $3.35 billion and analyst upgrades reflecting AI chip demand. Strong margins near 62% and market share gains in wafer fabrication equipment drive positive sentiment, though tariff impacts pose near-term risks.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
COHR, FSLR, and KLAC differ markedly in business models: COHR focuses on photonics for datacenters, FSLR on solar modules amid renewables push, and KLAC on semiconductor inspection tools. Growth drivers favor COHR and KLAC via AI catalysts—datacenter optics and advanced packaging—versus FSLR's policy-dependent solar demand. Recent momentum underscores this, with COHR's 255% 1-year gains and KLAC's 117% outpacing FSLR's 45%. Risk factors include COHR's high volatility and premium valuations (37x forward P/E), FSLR's earnings weakness and geopolitical exposure, and KLAC's supply chain/tariff sensitivities. Sector exposure tilts tech/semiconductors for COHR/KLAC amid AI spending, while FSLR faces trade-offs in energy transitions. Valuation sensitivity is acute for all, with market sentiment prioritizing AI stability over solar uncertainties.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors COHR due to superior trend consistency in AI datacenter optics, recent catalysts like S&P inclusion, and relative outperformance with 255% 1-year returns positioning it ahead of KLAC's steady semiconductor gains and FSLR's solar headwinds. Probabilistic edge stems from observable backlog strength and momentum, suggesting higher near-term potential though with elevated 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 disclaimer.
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).
COHR’s FA Score shows that 2 FA rating(s) are green whileFSLR’s FA Score has 0 green FA rating(s), and KLAC’s FA Score reflects 4 green FA rating(s).
- COHR’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
- FSLR’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 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.
COHR’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while FSLR’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s), and KLAC’s TA Score reflects 6 bullish TA indicator(s).
- COHR’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- FSLR’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 4 bearish.
- KLAC’s TA Score: 6 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
COHR (@Electronic Equipment/Instruments) experienced а +12.20% price change this week, while FSLR (@Alternative Power Generation) price change was -6.40% , and KLAC (@Electronic Production Equipment) price fluctuated +3.12% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Equipment/Instruments industry was +2.72%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +3.56%, and the average quarterly price growth was +1.99%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Alternative Power Generation industry was +1.49%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -3.85%, and the average quarterly price growth was -3.37%.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Production Equipment industry was +10.31%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +23.36%, and the average quarterly price growth was +116.53%.
Reported Earning Dates
COHR is expected to report earnings on May 13, 2026.
FSLR is expected to report earnings on Apr 30, 2026.
KLAC is expected to report earnings on Apr 23, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronic Equipment/Instruments (+2.72% weekly)This industry manufactures electronic products used in various critical and sophisticated technologies, including laser-based systems, circuit and continuity testers, electro-optical measuring instruments and high-speed precision weighing and inspection equipment. Some major companies operating in this business are Canon Inc., Keysight Technologies Inc., and Fortive Corp.
@Alternative Power Generation (+1.49% weekly)The alternative power generation industry consists of companies that operate power facilities converting non-conventional forms of energy into electricity. These energy forms are alternatives to fossil fuels, and many of them are derived from natural resources. Alternative energy forms include solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal steam. A major purpose behind using alternative energy – also called ‘clean’ energy - is to address concerns related to the more conventional fossil fuels, such as the latter’s high carbon dioxide emissions which is often considered a factor in global warming. Alternative power generation has been gaining traction in recent years, and could grow further in the future. Large organizations like Google have invested substantially in wind and solar energy-powered electricity. Some of the prominent U.S. companies operating in the alternative power generation industry includes Ormat Technologies, Inc., TerraForm Power, Inc. and NextEra Energy Partners LP.
@Electronic Production Equipment (+10.31% 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.
| COHR | FSLR | KLAC | |
| Capitalization | 64.7B | 20.5B | 235B |
| EBITDA | 1.08B | 2.15B | 5.91B |
| Gain YTD | 86.932 | -27.099 | 47.626 |
| P/E Ratio | 338.25 | 13.40 | 52.15 |
| Revenue | 6.29B | 5.22B | 12.7B |
| Total Cash | 864M | 2.86B | 5.21B |
| Total Debt | 3.55B | 655M | 6.11B |
COHR | FSLR | KLAC | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 22 | 57 | 23 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 91 Overvalued | 90 Overvalued | 82 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 8 | 65 | 6 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 87 | 49 | 13 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 34 | 60 | 4 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 15 | 37 | 13 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | n/a | 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.
KLAC's Valuation (82) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as FSLR (90) in the Electronic Components industry, and is in the same range as COHR (91) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry. This means that KLAC's stock grew similarly to FSLR’s and similarly to COHR’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 COHR (8) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for FSLR (65) in the Electronic Components industry. This means that KLAC's stock grew similarly to COHR’s and somewhat faster than FSLR’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 FSLR (49) in the Electronic Components industry, and is significantly better than the same rating for COHR (87) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry. This means that KLAC's stock grew somewhat faster than FSLR’s and significantly faster than COHR’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's Price Growth Rating (4) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as COHR (34) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry, and is somewhat better than the same rating for FSLR (60) in the Electronic Components industry. This means that KLAC's stock grew similarly to COHR’s and somewhat faster than FSLR’s over the last 12 months.
KLAC's P/E Growth Rating (13) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as COHR (15) in the Electronic Equipment Or Instruments industry, and is in the same range as FSLR (37) in the Electronic Components industry. This means that KLAC's stock grew similarly to COHR’s and similarly to FSLR’s over the last 12 months.
| COHR | FSLR | KLAC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | N/A | 2 days ago 55% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 83% | 2 days ago 69% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 75% | 2 days ago 74% | 2 days ago 67% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 80% | N/A | 2 days ago 79% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 82% | 2 days ago 78% | 2 days ago 73% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 85% | 2 days ago 80% | 2 days ago 76% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 82% | 18 days ago 80% | 5 days ago 73% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 24 days ago 78% | 2 days ago 78% | 3 days ago 61% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 75% | 2 days ago 77% | 2 days ago 73% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 76% | 2 days ago 88% | 2 days ago 78% |
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|---|---|---|---|
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| UBS ETRACS Crude Oil Shares Cov Cll ETN | |||
COHR and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, COHR has been loosely correlated with MKSI. These tickers have moved in lockstep 65% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if COHR jumps, then MKSI could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To COHR | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COHR | 100% | +5.19% | ||
| MKSI - COHR | 65% Loosely correlated | +3.22% | ||
| KEYS - COHR | 51% Loosely correlated | +1.33% | ||
| ESE - COHR | 45% Loosely correlated | +5.04% | ||
| ITRI - COHR | 43% Loosely correlated | +1.47% | ||
| VNT - COHR | 42% Loosely correlated | +2.28% | ||
More | ||||
FSLR and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, FSLR has been loosely correlated with ENPH. These tickers have moved in lockstep 56% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if FSLR jumps, then ENPH could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To FSLR | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FSLR | 100% | -0.63% | ||
| ENPH - FSLR | 56% Loosely correlated | +1.63% | ||
| BE - FSLR | 55% Loosely correlated | -1.05% | ||
| RUN - FSLR | 54% Loosely correlated | +2.48% | ||
| NXT - FSLR | 53% Loosely correlated | +4.27% | ||
| FCEL - FSLR | 52% Loosely correlated | -1.29% | ||
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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% | +3.26% | ||
| LRCX - KLAC | 87% Closely correlated | +2.54% | ||
| AMAT - KLAC | 85% Closely correlated | +1.81% | ||
| ADI - KLAC | 79% Closely correlated | +4.99% | ||
| QCOM - KLAC | 77% Closely correlated | +1.29% | ||
| NVMI - KLAC | 77% Closely correlated | +2.83% | ||
More | ||||