ARM vs. KLAC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ARM and KLAC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
ARM’s market capitalization stands at 163.93 billion USD, while KLAC’s is 122.27 billion USD, indicating their market valuations are broadly comparable.
ARM’s beta of 4.10 points to significantly higher volatility compared to KLAC (beta: 1.39), suggesting ARM has greater potential for both gains and losses relative to market movements.
ARM trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors a convenient way to access its foreign-listed shares. In contrast, KLAC is a standard domestic listing.
| Symbol | ARM | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Arm Holdings plc American Depositary Shares | KLA Corporation |
| Country | GB | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Semiconductors |
| CEO | Rene Anthony Andrada Haas | Richard P. Wallace |
| Price | 155.09 USD | 924.58 USD |
| Market Cap | 163.93 billion USD | 122.27 billion USD |
| Beta | 4.10 | 1.39 |
| Exchange | NASDAQ | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | September 14, 2023 | October 8, 1980 |
| ADR | Yes | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ARM 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
ARM
12.71%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 41.84%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- -5.54%
- Min
- -30.12%
ARM’s Return on Equity of 12.71% is on par with the norm for the Semiconductors industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
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
ARM
11.37%
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, ARM’s Return on Invested Capital of 11.37% 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
ARM
19.77%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 51.69%
- Q3
- 19.67%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- -5.44%
- Min
- -38.60%
A Net Profit Margin of 19.77% places ARM 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
ARM
20.74%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 58.03%
- Q3
- 22.12%
- Median
- 8.40%
- Q1
- -3.73%
- Min
- -36.14%
ARM’s Operating Profit Margin of 20.74% is around the midpoint for the Semiconductors industry, indicating that its efficiency in managing core business operations is typical for the sector.
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 | ARM | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 12.71% | 101.82% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.87% | 24.33% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 11.37% | 36.26% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 19.77% | 32.00% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 20.74% | 40.83% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 95.83% | 60.87% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ARM
5.20
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 9.10
- Q3
- 5.23
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 1.02
ARM’s Current Ratio of 5.20 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors 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
ARM
0.05
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 0.97
- Q3
- 0.46
- Median
- 0.21
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
ARM’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.05 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
ARM
--
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 36.25
- Q3
- 29.12
- Median
- 7.01
- Q1
- -1.22
- Min
- -18.18
Interest Coverage Ratio data for ARM is currently unavailable.
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 | ARM | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 5.20 | 2.54 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 5.20 | 1.74 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.05 | 1.52 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.04 | 0.40 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | -2.31 | 0.87 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | -- | 15.12 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ARM 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
ARM
0.00%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 6.48%
- Q3
- 0.93%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ARM currently does not pay a dividend, resulting in a yield of 0%. This is a common strategy for growth-focused companies that prioritize reinvesting earnings, though it may be less typical in mature, income-oriented sectors.
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
ARM
0.00%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 204.29%
- Q3
- 31.85%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ARM has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0%, indicating it does not currently pay a dividend. This is a common strategy for growth-oriented companies that reinvest all profits back into the business.
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 | ARM | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.00% | 0.73% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 0.00% | 22.95% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ARM
206.59
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 86.15
- Q3
- 47.38
- Median
- 27.87
- Q1
- 18.89
- Min
- 4.73
At 206.59, ARM’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Semiconductors industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
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
ARM
7.75
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
ARM
40.91
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 21.96
- Q3
- 10.21
- Median
- 4.45
- Q1
- 2.32
- Min
- 0.48
With a P/S Ratio of 40.91, ARM trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Semiconductors industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
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
ARM
23.92
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 13.12
- Q3
- 6.49
- Median
- 3.31
- Q1
- 1.74
- Min
- 0.23
At 23.92, ARM’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.
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 | ARM | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 206.59 | 33.18 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 7.75 | 2.67 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 40.91 | 10.59 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 23.92 | 30.62 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | 1011.91 | 34.80 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 216.85 | 25.94 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 40.48 | 10.95 |