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KLAC or LRCX or NVMI
Which Stock Would AI Choose? KLA Corporation (KLAC) vs. Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) vs. Nova Ltd. (NVMI) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- All three stocks—KLAC, LRCX, and NVMI—have delivered exceptional year-to-date gains exceeding 50%, driven by AI-fueled semiconductor demand for advanced process control and metrology equipment.
- LRCX leads in one-year returns at over 280%, reflecting its scale in etch and deposition amid memory chip expansion, while NVMI follows closely with 179% gains as a nimble metrology specialist.
- Recent quarters show robust earnings beats: KLAC reported Q3 FY2026 revenue of $3.42B (up 11% YoY), LRCX Q3 FY2026 revenue of $5.84B (up 24% YoY), and NVMI full-year 2025 revenue of $881M (up 31% YoY).
- Analyst price targets have risen post-earnings, with positive sentiment tied to wafer fab equipment (WFE) market growth projected over $140B in 2026-2027.
- Recent volatility reflects sector rotations, but all maintain strong momentum with KLAC announcing a 10-for-1 stock split and dividend hike.
- NVMI offers higher growth potential in niche metrology but with elevated valuation sensitivity compared to larger peers.
Introduction
This comparison examines KLAC, LRCX, and NVMI, key players in semiconductor process control and metrology equipment essential for advanced chip manufacturing. These stocks have surged amid AI-driven demand for sophisticated wafer inspection and fabrication tools, benefiting from expansions in logic, memory, and packaging technologies. Traders seeking short-term momentum and investors eyeing long-term sector growth will find value in analyzing their relative performance, earnings trends, and market positioning in the current high-growth environment.
KLAC Overview and Recent Performance
KLA Corporation (KLAC) leads in process control and yield management solutions for semiconductor wafer fabrication, specializing in inspection and metrology systems that detect defects during chip production. In recent market activity, KLAC shares have climbed around 48% year-to-date and over 160% in the past year, trading near $1,869 as of early May 2026. Fiscal Q3 2026 results showed revenue of $3.42 billion, up 11% year-over-year and beating estimates, with non-GAAP EPS of $9.40 exceeding forecasts by $0.23. Sentiment has been bolstered by a 10-for-1 stock split announcement, a 21% dividend increase to $2.30 per share (pre-split), and a $7 billion share repurchase program. Analysts raised price targets post-earnings, citing resilient AI-related demand despite sector volatility from export restrictions and rotations.
LRCX Overview and Recent Performance
Lam Research Corporation (LRCX) designs and manufactures etch, deposition, and clean equipment critical for integrated circuit fabrication, with strong exposure to memory chips like DRAM and NAND. Recent weeks have seen LRCX shares advance about 72% year-to-date and over 280% in the past year, hovering around $294. Fiscal Q3 2026 delivered record revenue of $5.84 billion, up 24% year-over-year and 9% sequentially, surpassing expectations, with non-GAAP EPS of $1.47 topping estimates by $0.11. Gross margins hit 49.9%, reflecting operational strength in AI infrastructure buildout. Performance has been supported by upbeat guidance for Q4 revenue near $6.6 billion and raised WFE market views exceeding $140 billion in 2026. Investor sentiment remains positive amid analyst upgrades, though tempered by high valuations and China-related risks.
NVMI Overview and Recent Performance
Nova Ltd. (NVMI) provides metrology and process control solutions, focusing on optical and x-ray systems for advanced semiconductor nodes, materials, and packaging. Shares have risen approximately 59% year-to-date and 179% over the past year, trading near $521. Full-year 2025 revenue reached $881 million, up 31% year-over-year, with Q4 at $223 million (up 14%) and GAAP EPS of $1.94. Strong demand for dimensional and materials metrology amid AI chip complexity has driven gains, with Q1 2026 guidance signaling $222-232 million in revenue. Recent performance reflects sector tailwinds but includes some pullbacks tied to broader semis volatility. Analysts view NVMI favorably for its niche growth in high-margin advanced packaging, ahead of upcoming Q1 results.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
KLAC, LRCX, and NVMI operate in complementary semiconductor equipment niches: KLAC and NVMI emphasize metrology and inspection, while LRCX dominates etch/deposition. Growth drivers include AI logic ramps and memory recovery, with LRCX benefiting from larger scale ($21.7B ttm revenue vs. KLAC's $13.1B and NVMI's $881M). Recent momentum favors LRCX (72% YTD) over KLAC (48%) and NVMI (59%), but NVMI shows highest revenue growth at 31% YoY. Risk factors involve China exposure and cyclical WFE spending; LRCX and KLAC offer stability via diversification, while NVMI faces higher volatility as a smaller cap. Valuation sensitivity is elevated across the board—KLAC P/E ~53, LRCX ~56, NVMI ~65—with market sentiment buoyed by earnings beats but cautious on multiples amid rotations.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently favors LRCX due to its superior trend consistency, record revenues, and leading relative positioning in high-volume etch/deposition amid AI memory demand. With 280%+ one-year gains, upbeat guidance, and analyst support, LRCX exhibits stronger catalysts and stability versus KLAC's split-driven accessibility and NVMI's niche growth. Probabilistic edge leans toward continued outperformance in the near term, though all benefit from sector tailwinds.
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.
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), and NVMI’s FA Score reflects 2 green FA rating(s).
- KLAC’s FA Score: 4 green, 1 red.
- LRCX’s FA Score: 4 green, 1 red.
- NVMI’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 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 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while LRCX’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s), and NVMI’s TA Score reflects 5 bullish TA indicator(s).
- KLAC’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 4 bearish.
- LRCX’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
- NVMI’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
KLAC (@Electronic Production Equipment) experienced а +3.02% price change this week, while LRCX (@Electronic Production Equipment) price change was +0.61% , and NVMI (@Electronic Production Equipment) price fluctuated -4.20% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Electronic Production Equipment industry was -3.69%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +6.44%, and the average quarterly price growth was +123.09%.
Reported Earning Dates
KLAC is expected to report earnings on Jul 23, 2026.
LRCX is expected to report earnings on Aug 05, 2026.
NVMI is expected to report earnings on Jul 30, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Electronic Production Equipment (-3.69% 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 | NVMI | |
| Capitalization | 314B | 469B | 16.6B |
| EBITDA | 6.06B | 8.07B | 284M |
| Gain YTD | 106.758 | 117.337 | 60.653 |
| P/E Ratio | 76.23 | 77.42 | 73.16 |
| Revenue | 13.1B | 21.7B | 903M |
| Total Cash | 613M | 1.68B | 1.1B |
| Total Debt | 6.15B | 3.73B | 800M |
KLAC | LRCX | NVMI | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 40 | 37 | 26 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 91 Overvalued | 89 Overvalued | 70 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 2 | 2 | 6 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 13 | 17 | 43 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 3 | 2 | 37 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 7 | 5 | 10 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 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.
NVMI's Valuation (70) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as LRCX (89) and is in the same range as KLAC (91). This means that NVMI's stock grew similarly to LRCX’s and similarly to KLAC’s over the last 12 months.
LRCX's Profit vs Risk Rating (2) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KLAC (2) and is in the same range as NVMI (6). This means that LRCX's stock grew similarly to KLAC’s and similarly to NVMI’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) and is in the same range as NVMI (43). This means that KLAC's stock grew similarly to LRCX’s and similarly to NVMI’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 (3) and is somewhat better than the same rating for NVMI (37). This means that LRCX's stock grew similarly to KLAC’s and somewhat faster than NVMI’s over the last 12 months.
LRCX's P/E Growth Rating (5) in the Electronic Production Equipment industry is in the same range as KLAC (7) and is in the same range as NVMI (10). This means that LRCX's stock grew similarly to KLAC’s and similarly to NVMI’s over the last 12 months.
| KLAC | LRCX | NVMI | |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 63% | 2 days ago 55% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 69% | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 61% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | N/A | 2 days ago 86% | 2 days ago 79% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 80% | 2 days ago 75% | 2 days ago 80% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 61% | 2 days ago 62% | 2 days ago 70% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 79% | 2 days ago 82% | 2 days ago 79% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 77% | 3 days ago 82% | 3 days ago 78% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 27 days ago 61% | 20 days ago 64% | 20 days ago 69% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 66% | 2 days ago 67% | 2 days ago 54% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 77% | 2 days ago 81% | 2 days ago 75% |
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NVMI and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, NVMI has been closely correlated with LRCX. These tickers have moved in lockstep 82% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if NVMI jumps, then LRCX could also see price increases.
| Ticker / NAME | Correlation To NVMI | 1D Price Change % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVMI | 100% | -9.52% | ||
| LRCX - NVMI | 82% Closely correlated | -9.33% | ||
| KLAC - NVMI | 78% Closely correlated | -9.17% | ||
| AMAT - NVMI | 78% Closely correlated | -8.48% | ||
| CAMT - NVMI | 76% Closely correlated | -13.45% | ||
| ONTO - NVMI | 73% Closely correlated | -9.20% | ||
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