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ALAB vs. KLAC: Astera Labs vs. KLA Stock Comparison

How do Astera Labs (ALAB) and KLA (KLAC) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Astera Labs (ALAB) and KLA (KLAC) both belong to the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, though ALAB is classified under Semiconductors while KLAC falls under Semiconductor Materials & Equipment.

KLA (KLAC) carries decades of public-market history since October 8, 1980, while Astera Labs (ALAB) listed on March 20, 2024 — long-window comparisons have far more historical data on the KLAC side.

Company profile comparison for Astera Labs (ALAB) and KLA (KLAC)
Profile ItemALABKLAC
NameAstera Labs, Inc.KLA Corporation
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyInformation Technology
GICS Industry GroupSemiconductors & Semiconductor EquipmentSemiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS IndustrySemiconductors & Semiconductor EquipmentSemiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS Sub-IndustrySemiconductorsSemiconductor Materials & Equipment
Market Capitalization33.33 billion USD180.45 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNasdaq
Listing DateMarch 20, 2024October 8, 1980
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

ALAB
KLAC
GSPC
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Astera Labs (ALAB) vs. KLA (KLAC), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Astera Labs (ALAB) and KLA (KLAC). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Astera Labs (ALAB) and KLA (KLAC). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Astera Labs (ALAB) and KLA (KLAC)
MetricALABKLAC
Total Return (1Y)31.42%26.92%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)--44.97%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)--30.55%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

ALAB
KLAC
GSPC
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Astera Labs (ALAB) vs. KLA (KLAC), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Astera Labs (ALAB) and KLA (KLAC). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for Astera Labs (ALAB) and KLA (KLAC)
MetricALABKLAC
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)101.55%63.92%
Beta (5Y)3.951.51
Max Drawdown (5Y)-63.69%-56.93%
Avg. Volume (3M)4.15M10.66M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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ALAB and KLAC are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. The dashed Capital Allocation Line runs from the risk-free rate through the shared industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Astera Labs (ALAB) and KLA (KLAC)
MetricALABKLAC
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.270.35
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.390.50

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both companies show strong equity returns, but KLA (KLAC) at 91.38% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; Astera Labs (ALAB) at 28.21% also sits in the top quartile.

ALAB

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

28.21%

Max
52.82%
ALAB
28.21%
Q3
22.26%
Median
10.58%
Q1
1.29%
Min
-16.89%

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

91.38%

KLAC
91.38%
Max
52.82%
Q3
22.26%
Median
10.58%
Q1
1.29%
Min
-16.89%
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Astera Labs (ALAB) vs. KLA (KLAC): A comparison of their ROE against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

For every dollar of sales, both Astera Labs (ALAB) at 29.64% and KLA (KLAC) at 36.25% retain more as net profit than most peers, landing in the top net margin quartile of their industries.

ALAB

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

29.64%

Max
63.80%
ALAB
29.64%
Q3
28.36%
Median
11.44%
Q1
0.90%
Min
-37.77%

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

36.25%

Max
63.80%
KLAC
36.25%
Q3
28.36%
Median
11.44%
Q1
0.90%
Min
-37.77%
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Astera Labs (ALAB) vs. KLA (KLAC): A comparison of their net margin against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Both Astera Labs (ALAB) at 30.61% and KLA (KLAC) at 45.01% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.

ALAB

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

30.61%

Max
58.66%
ALAB
30.61%
Q3
30.23%
Median
15.91%
Q1
7.54%
Min
-25.74%

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

45.01%

Max
58.66%
KLAC
45.01%
Q3
30.23%
Median
15.91%
Q1
7.54%
Min
-25.74%
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Astera Labs (ALAB) vs. KLA (KLAC): A comparison of their operating margin against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Astera Labs (ALAB) and KLA (KLAC)
MetricALABKLAC
ROE (TTM)28.21%91.38%
ROA (TTM)13.41%22.27%
Net Margin (TTM)29.64%36.25%
Operating Margin (TTM)30.61%45.01%
Gross Margin (TTM)73.89%61.47%

Growth

Revenue Growth

Astera Labs (ALAB) at 115.13% clears its industry range for revenue growth, far stronger top-line momentum than KLA (KLAC) at 11.71%, which is closer to a typical peer reading.

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Astera Labs (ALAB) vs. KLA (KLAC): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Only one side can be read here: KLA (KLAC) reports EPS growth of 20.51%, ranked against its industry; Astera Labs (ALAB) has no EPS growth figure this period.

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Astera Labs (ALAB) vs. KLA (KLAC): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Astera Labs (ALAB) and KLA (KLAC)
MetricALABKLAC
Revenue Growth (YoY)115.13%11.71%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)120.18%8.96%
EPS Growth (YoY)--20.51%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)--14.87%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

KLA (KLAC) at 2.76 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while Astera Labs (ALAB) at 8.03 sits above its industry’s typical mid-range — comfortable liquidity, though possibly with more idle current assets relative to peers.

ALAB

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

8.03

Max
10.33
ALAB
8.03
Q3
5.62
Median
3.33
Q1
2.35
Min
1.03

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

2.76

Max
10.33
Q3
5.62
Median
3.33
KLAC
2.76
Q1
2.35
Min
1.03
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Astera Labs (ALAB) vs. KLA (KLAC): A comparison of their current ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Astera Labs (ALAB) at 0.02 keeps leverage in the lower quartile, while KLA (KLAC) at 0.92 sits in the higher-leverage quartile.

ALAB

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.02

Max
1.46
Q3
0.65
Median
0.27
Q1
0.04
ALAB
0.02
Min
0.00

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.92

Max
1.46
KLAC
0.92
Q3
0.65
Median
0.27
Q1
0.04
Min
0.00
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Astera Labs (ALAB) vs. KLA (KLAC): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Astera Labs (ALAB) and KLA (KLAC)
MetricALABKLAC
Current Ratio (MRQ)8.032.76
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.020.92
Net Debt / EBITDA-3.230.19

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Astera Labs (ALAB) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile KLA (KLAC) reports a yield of 0.65%, ranking against industry peers normally.

ALAB

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.00%

Max
1.37%
Q3
0.65%
ALAB
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.65%

Max
1.37%
Q3
0.65%
KLAC
0.65%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Astera Labs (ALAB) vs. KLA (KLAC): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Astera Labs (ALAB) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile KLA (KLAC) reports a payout of 21.03%, ranking against industry peers normally.

ALAB

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.00%

Max
49.64%
Q3
21.71%
ALAB
0.00%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

21.03%

Max
49.64%
Q3
21.71%
KLAC
21.03%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Astera Labs (ALAB) vs. KLA (KLAC): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Astera Labs (ALAB) and KLA (KLAC)
MetricALABKLAC
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.00%0.65%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)0.00%21.03%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

KLA (KLAC) at 34.71 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Astera Labs (ALAB) at 75.38 sits in the richer quartile — ALAB needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.

ALAB

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

75.38

Max
110.34
ALAB
75.38
Q3
66.81
Median
37.02
Q1
23.96
Min
8.12

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

34.71

Max
110.34
Q3
66.81
Median
37.02
KLAC
34.71
Q1
23.96
Min
8.12
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Astera Labs (ALAB) vs. KLA (KLAC): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Both Astera Labs (ALAB) at 21.42 and KLA (KLAC) at 12.44 command a richer price per dollar of sales than most peers, sitting in the upper P/S ratio quartile of their industries.

ALAB

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

21.42

ALAB
21.42
Max
21.42
Q3
12.27
Median
5.76
Q1
2.73
Min
0.00

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

12.44

Max
21.42
KLAC
12.44
Q3
12.27
Median
5.76
Q1
2.73
Min
0.00
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Astera Labs (ALAB) vs. KLA (KLAC): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Measured against book value, both Astera Labs (ALAB) at 16.67 and KLA (KLAC) at 27.67 look expensive — each P/B ratio sits above its industry’s benchmark range.

ALAB

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

16.67

ALAB
16.67
Max
14.06
Q3
7.44
Median
4.29
Q1
2.30
Min
0.20

KLAC

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

27.67

KLAC
27.67
Max
14.06
Q3
7.44
Median
4.29
Q1
2.30
Min
0.20
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Astera Labs (ALAB) vs. KLA (KLAC): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Astera Labs (ALAB) and KLA (KLAC)
MetricALABKLAC
P/E Ratio (TTM)75.3834.71
P/S Ratio (TTM)21.4212.44
P/B Ratio (MRQ)16.6727.67
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)0.39%1.56%