ASX vs. KLAC: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at ASX and KLAC, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Overview
KLAC’s market capitalization of 122.27 billion USD is significantly greater than ASX’s 22.53 billion USD, highlighting its more substantial market valuation.
With betas of 0.92 for ASX and 1.39 for KLAC, both stocks show similar sensitivity to overall market movements.
ASX 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 | ASX | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | ASE Technology Holding Co., Ltd. | KLA Corporation |
| Country | TW | US |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Semiconductors | Semiconductors |
| CEO | Hung-Pen Chang | Richard P. Wallace |
| Price | 10.37 USD | 924.58 USD |
| Market Cap | 22.53 billion USD | 122.27 billion USD |
| Beta | 0.92 | 1.39 |
| Exchange | NYSE | NASDAQ |
| IPO Date | October 2, 2000 | October 8, 1980 |
| ADR | Yes | No |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of ASX 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
ASX
11.03%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 41.84%
- Q3
- 15.81%
- Median
- 6.31%
- Q1
- -5.54%
- Min
- -30.12%
ASX’s Return on Equity of 11.03% 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
ASX
5.98%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 30.91%
- Q3
- 11.34%
- Median
- 4.08%
- Q1
- -2.17%
- Min
- -19.59%
ASX’s Return on Invested Capital of 5.98% is in line with the norm for the Semiconductors industry, reflecting a standard level of efficiency in generating profits from its capital base.
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
ASX
5.61%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 51.69%
- Q3
- 19.67%
- Median
- 8.56%
- Q1
- -5.44%
- Min
- -38.60%
ASX’s Net Profit Margin of 5.61% is aligned with the median group of its peers in the Semiconductors 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
ASX
7.01%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 58.03%
- Q3
- 22.12%
- Median
- 8.40%
- Q1
- -3.73%
- Min
- -36.14%
ASX’s Operating Profit Margin of 7.01% 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 | ASX | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 11.03% | 101.82% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 4.43% | 24.33% |
| Return on Invested Capital (TTM) | 5.98% | 36.26% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 5.61% | 32.00% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 7.01% | 40.83% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 16.32% | 60.87% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio
ASX
1.04
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 9.10
- Q3
- 5.23
- Median
- 3.09
- Q1
- 2.49
- Min
- 1.02
ASX’s Current Ratio of 1.04 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
ASX
0.72
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 0.97
- Q3
- 0.46
- Median
- 0.21
- Q1
- 0.05
- Min
- 0.00
ASX’s leverage is in the upper quartile of the Semiconductors industry, with a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.72. While this approach can boost equity growth, it also exposes the company to greater financial vulnerability.
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
ASX
7.79
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 36.25
- Q3
- 29.12
- Median
- 7.01
- Q1
- -1.22
- Min
- -18.18
ASX’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.79 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Semiconductors industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
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 | ASX | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (TTM) | 1.04 | 2.54 |
| Quick Ratio (TTM) | 0.82 | 1.74 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (TTM) | 0.72 | 1.52 |
| Debt-to-Asset Ratio (TTM) | 0.29 | 0.40 |
| Net Debt-to-EBITDA Ratio (TTM) | 1.32 | 0.87 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.79 | 15.12 |
Growth
The following charts compare key year-over-year (YoY) growth metrics for ASX 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
ASX
3.60%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 6.48%
- Q3
- 0.93%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 3.60%, ASX offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Semiconductors 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
ASX
65.52%
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 204.29%
- Q3
- 31.85%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
ASX’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 65.52% is in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors 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 | ASX | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 3.60% | 0.73% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 65.52% | 22.95% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio
ASX
18.57
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 86.15
- Q3
- 47.38
- Median
- 27.87
- Q1
- 18.89
- Min
- 4.73
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors industry, ASX’s P/E Ratio of 18.57 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
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
ASX
0.73
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
ASX
1.05
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 21.96
- Q3
- 10.21
- Median
- 4.45
- Q1
- 2.32
- Min
- 0.48
In the lower quartile for the Semiconductors industry, ASX’s P/S Ratio of 1.05 indicates its revenue is valued more conservatively than most of its peers. This could present a compelling opportunity if the market has overlooked its sales-generating capabilities.
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
ASX
2.04
Semiconductors Industry
- Max
- 13.12
- Q3
- 6.49
- Median
- 3.31
- Q1
- 1.74
- Min
- 0.23
ASX’s P/B Ratio of 2.04 is within the conventional range for the Semiconductors industry. This shows a balanced market view, where the stock’s price is neither at a significant premium nor a discount to the book value of its peers.
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 | ASX | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E, TTM) | 18.57 | 33.18 |
| Forward PEG Ratio (TTM) | 0.73 | 2.67 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S, TTM) | 1.05 | 10.59 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B, TTM) | 2.04 | 30.62 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (P/FCF, TTM) | -63.40 | 34.80 |
| EV-to-EBITDA (TTM) | 7.08 | 25.94 |
| EV-to-Sales (TTM) | 1.29 | 10.95 |