AMAT vs. KLAC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at AMAT and KLAC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
AMAT’s market capitalization stands at 153.32 billion USD, while KLAC’s is 122.27 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
With betas of 1.66 for AMAT and 1.39 for KLAC, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
| Symbol | AMAT | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Applied Materials, Inc. | KLA Corporation |
| Country | US | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Semiconductors |
| CEO | Gary E. Dickerson | Richard P. Wallace |
| Price | 191.05 USD | 924.58 USD |
| Market Cap | 153.32 billion USD | 122.27 billion USD |
| Beta | 1.66 | 1.39 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | March 17, 1980 | October 8, 1980 |
| ADR | No | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of AMAT 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
AMAT
35.84%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 41.84%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- -5.54%
- Min
- -30.12%
In the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, AMAT’s Return on Equity of 35.84% 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
AMAT
25.68%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 30.91%
- Q3
- 11.34%
- Median
- 4.08%
- Q1
- -2.17%
- Min
- -19.59%
In the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, AMAT’s Return on Invested Capital of 25.68% 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
AMAT
24.06%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 51.69%
- Q3
- 19.67%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- -5.44%
- Min
- -38.60%
A Net Profit Margin of 24.06% places AMAT in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
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
AMAT
29.66%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 58.03%
- Q3
- 22.12%
- Median
- 8.40%
- Q1
- -3.73%
- Min
- -36.14%
An Operating Profit Margin of 29.66% places AMAT 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.
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 | AMAT | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 35.84% | 101.82% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 20.09% | 24.33% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 25.68% | 36.26% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 24.06% | 32.00% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 29.66% | 40.83% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 48.14% | 60.87% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
AMAT
2.46
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 9.10
- Q3
- 5.23
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 1.02
AMAT’s Current Ratio of 2.46 falls into the lower quartile for the Semiconductors industry. This indicates a tighter liquidity situation and a more constrained capacity to handle short-term debt than many of its competitors.
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
AMAT
0.33
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 0.97
- Q3
- 0.46
- Median
- 0.21
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
AMAT’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.33 is typical for the Semiconductors 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
AMAT
31.92
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 36.25
- Q3
- 29.12
- Median
- 7.01
- Q1
- -1.22
- Min
- -18.18
AMAT’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 31.92 is in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
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 | AMAT | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 2.46 | 2.54 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 1.76 | 1.74 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.33 | 1.52 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.19 | 0.40 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 0.01 | 0.87 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 31.92 | 15.12 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for AMAT 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
AMAT
0.87%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 6.48%
- Q3
- 0.93%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AMAT’s Dividend Yield of 0.87% is consistent with its peers in the Semiconductors industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
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
AMAT
18.53%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 204.29%
- Q3
- 31.85%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
AMAT’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 18.53% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
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 | AMAT | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.87% | 0.73% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 18.53% | 22.95% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
AMAT
22.93
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 86.15
- Q3
- 47.38
- Median
- 27.87
- Q1
- 18.89
- Min
- 4.73
AMAT’s P/E Ratio of 22.93 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.
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
AMAT
3.41
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.
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
AMAT
5.46
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 21.96
- Q3
- 10.21
- Median
- 4.45
- Q1
- 2.32
- Min
- 0.48
AMAT’s P/S Ratio of 5.46 aligns with the market consensus for the Semiconductors 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
AMAT
8.17
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 13.12
- Q3
- 6.49
- Median
- 3.31
- Q1
- 1.74
- Min
- 0.23
AMAT’s P/B Ratio of 8.17 is in the upper tier for the Semiconductors industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
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 | AMAT | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 22.93 | 33.18 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 3.41 | 2.67 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 5.46 | 10.59 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 8.17 | 30.62 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 25.83 | 34.80 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 17.57 | 25.94 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 5.46 | 10.95 |