ACN vs. KLAC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ACN and KLAC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ACN’s market capitalization of 190.80 billion USD is substantially larger than KLAC’s 122.27 billion USD, indicating a significant difference in their market valuations.
With betas of 1.33 for ACN and 1.39 for KLAC, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | ACN | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Accenture plc | KLA Corporation |
| Country | IE | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Information Technology Services | Semiconductors |
| CEO | Julie T. Spellman Sweet | Richard P. Wallace |
| Price | 304.78 USD | 924.58 USD |
| Market Cap | 190.80 billion USD | 122.27 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.33 | 1.39 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | July 19, 2001 | October 8, 1980 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ACN and KLAC by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period.
Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Profitability
Return on Equity
ACN
27.11%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 47.24%
- Q3
- 23.27%
- Median
- 12.85%
- Q1
- 2.22%
- Min
- -26.63%
In the upper quartile for the Information Technology Services industry, ACN’s Return on Equity of 27.11% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
KLAC
101.82%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 41.84%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- -5.54%
- Min
- -30.12%
KLAC’s Return on Equity of 101.82% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Semiconductors industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
Return on Invested Capital
ACN
17.83%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 28.29%
- Q3
- 13.19%
- Median
- 7.24%
- Q1
- 0.23%
- Min
- -18.82%
In the upper quartile for the Information Technology Services industry, ACN’s Return on Invested Capital of 17.83% signifies a highly effective use of its capital to generate profits when compared to its peers.
KLAC
36.26%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 30.91%
- Q3
- 11.34%
- Median
- 4.08%
- Q1
- -2.17%
- Min
- -19.59%
KLAC’s Return on Invested Capital of 36.26% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Semiconductors industry. This demonstrates an outstanding ability to deploy capital efficiently and create significant value.
Net Profit Margin
ACN
11.61%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 20.47%
- Q3
- 11.62%
- Median
- 5.97%
- Q1
- 1.89%
- Min
- -4.62%
ACN’s Net Profit Margin of 11.61% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Information Technology Services industry. This indicates its ability to convert revenue into profit is typical for the sector.
KLAC
32.00%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 51.69%
- Q3
- 19.67%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- -5.44%
- Min
- -38.60%
A Net Profit Margin of 32.00% places KLAC in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin
ACN
15.38%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 29.42%
- Q3
- 14.75%
- Median
- 8.92%
- Q1
- 2.62%
- Min
- -11.92%
An Operating Profit Margin of 15.38% places ACN in the upper quartile for the Information Technology Services industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
KLAC
40.83%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 58.03%
- Q3
- 22.12%
- Median
- 8.40%
- Q1
- -3.73%
- Min
- -36.14%
An Operating Profit Margin of 40.83% places KLAC in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | ACN | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 27.11% | 101.82% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 12.55% | 24.33% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 17.83% | 36.26% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 11.61% | 32.00% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 15.38% | 40.83% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 32.07% | 60.87% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ACN
1.46
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 3.41
- Q3
- 2.37
- Median
- 1.58
- Q1
- 1.20
- Min
- 0.00
ACN’s Current Ratio of 1.46 aligns with the median group of the Information Technology Services industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
KLAC
2.54
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 9.10
- Q3
- 5.23
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 1.02
KLAC’s Current Ratio of 2.54 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio
ACN
0.19
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 2.63
- Q3
- 1.16
- Median
- 0.48
- Q1
- 0.09
- Min
- 0.01
ACN’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.19 is typical for the Information Technology Services industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
KLAC
1.52
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 0.97
- Q3
- 0.46
- Median
- 0.21
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.52, KLAC operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Semiconductors industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
Interest Coverage Ratio
ACN
210.82
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 17.52
- Q3
- 10.04
- Median
- 4.66
- Q1
- 0.80
- Min
- -10.50
With an Interest Coverage Ratio of 210.82, ACN demonstrates a superior capacity to service its debt, placing it well above the typical range for the Information Technology Services industry. This stems from either robust earnings or a conservative debt load.
KLAC
15.12
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 36.25
- Q3
- 29.12
- Median
- 7.01
- Q1
- -1.22
- Min
- -18.18
KLAC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 15.12 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Semiconductors industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | ACN | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.46 | 2.54 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.46 | 1.74 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.19 | 1.52 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.09 | 0.40 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -0.32 | 0.87 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 210.82 | 15.12 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ACN and KLAC. These metrics are based on the companies’ annual financial reports.
Revenue Growth
Earnings Per Share (EPS) Growth
Free Cash Flow Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield
ACN
1.88%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 16.57%
- Q3
- 1.39%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 1.88%, ACN offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Information Technology Services industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
KLAC
0.73%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 6.48%
- Q3
- 0.93%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
KLAC’s Dividend Yield of 0.73% is consistent with its peers in the Semiconductors industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
Dividend Payout Ratio
ACN
45.10%
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 112.81%
- Q3
- 20.98%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ACN’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 45.10% is in the upper quartile for the Information Technology Services industry. This indicates a strong commitment to shareholder returns but also suggests that a smaller portion of earnings is retained for reinvestment compared to many peers.
KLAC
22.95%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 204.29%
- Q3
- 31.85%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
KLAC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 22.95% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | ACN | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.88% | 0.73% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 45.10% | 22.95% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ACN
23.94
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 49.12
- Q3
- 36.91
- Median
- 24.84
- Q1
- 15.88
- Min
- 1.55
ACN’s P/E Ratio of 23.94 is within the middle range for the Information Technology Services industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
KLAC
33.18
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 86.15
- Q3
- 47.38
- Median
- 27.87
- Q1
- 18.89
- Min
- 4.73
KLAC’s P/E Ratio of 33.18 is within the middle range for the Semiconductors industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
Forward P/E to Growth Ratio
ACN
2.73
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 5.35
- Q3
- 3.79
- Median
- 2.23
- Q1
- 1.19
- Min
- 0.03
ACN’s Forward PEG Ratio of 2.73 is within the middle range of its peers in the Information Technology Services industry. This suggests a reasonable balance between the stock’s price and its expected growth, aligning with sector valuation norms.
KLAC
2.67
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 4.73
- Q3
- 2.80
- Median
- 1.11
- Q1
- 0.68
- Min
- 0.01
The Forward PEG Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric in the Semiconductors industry.
Price-to-Sales Ratio
ACN
2.79
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 8.15
- Q3
- 4.17
- Median
- 2.14
- Q1
- 1.00
- Min
- 0.10
ACN’s P/S Ratio of 2.79 aligns with the market consensus for the Information Technology Services industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
KLAC
10.59
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 21.96
- Q3
- 10.21
- Median
- 4.45
- Q1
- 2.32
- Min
- 0.48
KLAC’s P/S Ratio of 10.59 is in the upper echelon for the Semiconductors industry. This means the company is valued richly on its revenue stream compared to its peers, suggesting the stock is priced for a high level of future performance.
Price-to-Book Ratio
ACN
6.23
Information Technology Services Industry
- Max
- 11.78
- Q3
- 6.14
- Median
- 3.23
- Q1
- 1.97
- Min
- 0.42
The P/B Ratio is often not a primary valuation metric for the Information Technology Services industry.
KLAC
30.62
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 13.12
- Q3
- 6.49
- Median
- 3.31
- Q1
- 1.74
- Min
- 0.23
At 30.62, KLAC’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Semiconductors industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | ACN | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 23.94 | 33.18 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 2.73 | 2.67 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 2.79 | 10.59 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 6.23 | 30.62 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 60.08 | 34.80 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 15.83 | 25.94 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 2.73 | 10.95 |