KLAC vs. NICE: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at KLAC and NICE, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
KLAC is a standard domestic listing, while NICE trades as an American Depositary Receipt (ADR), offering U.S. investors access to its foreign-listed shares.
| Symbol | KLAC | NICE |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | KLA Corporation | NICE Ltd. |
| Country | United States | Israel |
| GICS Sector | Information Technology | Information Technology |
| GICS Industry | Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | Software |
| Market Capitalization | 116.07 billion USD | 8.68 billion USD |
| Exchange | NasdaqGS | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | October 8, 1980 | January 25, 1996 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | ADR |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of KLAC and NICE 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.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | KLAC | NICE |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 0.40% | 1.42% |
| 13-Week Price Return | 14.60% | -18.46% |
| 26-Week Price Return | 13.53% | -23.02% |
| 52-Week Price Return | 10.15% | -28.62% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.06% | -10.45% |
| Year-to-Date Return | 39.58% | -23.13% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 1.00M | 0.13M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.10M | 0.14M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 33.36% | 33.50% |
| Beta | 1.48 | -0.24 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
KLAC
102.56%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 52.74%
- Q3
- 23.49%
- Median
- 11.60%
- Q1
- 3.23%
- Min
- -20.69%
KLAC’s Return on Equity of 102.56% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This demonstrates a superior ability to generate profit from shareholder investments, though it could also be inflated by high financial leverage.
NICE
14.85%
Software Industry
- Max
- 59.01%
- Q3
- 21.98%
- Median
- 7.15%
- Q1
- -11.12%
- Min
- -51.24%
NICE’s Return on Equity of 14.85% is on par with the norm for the Software industry, indicating its profitability relative to shareholder equity is typical for the sector.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
KLAC
33.41%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 44.17%
- Q3
- 22.38%
- Median
- 11.95%
- Q1
- 3.21%
- Min
- -25.16%
A Net Profit Margin of 33.41% places KLAC in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
NICE
18.81%
Software Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 18.23%
- Median
- 5.60%
- Q1
- -9.22%
- Min
- -49.36%
A Net Profit Margin of 18.81% places NICE in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
KLAC
39.28%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 58.03%
- Q3
- 27.84%
- Median
- 12.45%
- Q1
- 5.15%
- Min
- -28.61%
An Operating Profit Margin of 39.28% places KLAC in the upper quartile for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
NICE
21.25%
Software Industry
- Max
- 57.34%
- Q3
- 20.60%
- Median
- 7.84%
- Q1
- -8.72%
- Min
- -51.37%
An Operating Profit Margin of 21.25% places NICE in the upper quartile for the Software 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 | KLAC | NICE |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 102.56% | 14.85% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 26.23% | 10.16% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 33.41% | 18.81% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 39.28% | 21.25% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 61.99% | 67.03% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
KLAC
2.62
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 8.42
- Q3
- 4.70
- Median
- 2.75
- Q1
- 2.07
- Min
- 1.04
KLAC’s Current Ratio of 2.62 aligns with the median group of the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
NICE
1.83
Software Industry
- Max
- 3.83
- Q3
- 2.31
- Median
- 1.45
- Q1
- 1.03
- Min
- 0.24
NICE’s Current Ratio of 1.83 aligns with the median group of the Software industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
KLAC
1.25
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 1.09
- Q3
- 0.45
- Median
- 0.22
- Q1
- 0.01
- Min
- 0.00
With a Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 1.25, KLAC operates with exceptionally high leverage compared to the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry norm. This suggests an aggressive reliance on debt financing, which can magnify returns but also significantly elevates financial risk.
NICE
0.12
Software Industry
- Max
- 2.14
- Q3
- 0.90
- Median
- 0.29
- Q1
- 0.00
- Min
- 0.00
NICE’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.12 is typical for the Software industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
KLAC
38.22
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 174.00
- Q3
- 81.10
- Median
- 27.22
- Q1
- 7.28
- Min
- -4.26
KLAC’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 38.22 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
NICE
37.69
Software Industry
- Max
- 67.02
- Q3
- 19.86
- Median
- 0.70
- Q1
- -12.50
- Min
- -53.00
NICE’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 37.69 is in the upper quartile for the Software industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | KLAC | NICE |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 2.62 | 1.83 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 1.78 | 1.67 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 1.25 | 0.12 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 38.22 | 37.69 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
KLAC
0.78%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 4.16%
- Q3
- 1.78%
- Median
- 0.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
KLAC’s Dividend Yield of 0.78% is consistent with its peers in the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, providing a dividend return that is standard for its sector.
NICE
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 0.08%
- Q3
- 0.03%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NICE 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.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
KLAC
22.27%
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 196.12%
- Q3
- 87.72%
- Median
- 26.57%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
KLAC’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 22.27% is within the typical range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
NICE
0.00%
Software Industry
- Max
- 1.32%
- Q3
- 0.53%
- Median
- 0.00%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
NICE 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.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | KLAC | NICE |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 0.78% | 0.00% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 22.27% | 0.00% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
KLAC
28.39
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 109.37
- Q3
- 57.11
- Median
- 28.95
- Q1
- 22.13
- Min
- 11.14
KLAC’s P/E Ratio of 28.39 is within the middle range for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
NICE
16.40
Software Industry
- Max
- 149.35
- Q3
- 100.21
- Median
- 47.97
- Q1
- 26.77
- Min
- 11.68
In the lower quartile for the Software industry, NICE’s P/E Ratio of 16.40 suggests the stock may be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially presenting an attractive entry point for investors.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
KLAC
9.48
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 16.09
- Q3
- 10.10
- Median
- 4.82
- Q1
- 2.60
- Min
- 0.93
KLAC’s P/S Ratio of 9.48 aligns with the market consensus for the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry. This suggests its valuation, based on sales, is seen as standard and is on par with its competitors.
NICE
3.08
Software Industry
- Max
- 25.24
- Q3
- 13.52
- Median
- 8.15
- Q1
- 4.87
- Min
- 0.98
In the lower quartile for the Software industry, NICE’s P/S Ratio of 3.08 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.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
KLAC
25.24
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry
- Max
- 13.56
- Q3
- 6.75
- Median
- 3.68
- Q1
- 1.89
- Min
- 0.60
At 25.24, KLAC’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 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.
NICE
2.84
Software Industry
- Max
- 30.95
- Q3
- 14.91
- Median
- 7.75
- Q1
- 3.60
- Min
- 0.38
NICE’s P/B Ratio of 2.84 is in the lower quartile for the Software industry. From a value investing perspective, this is favorable, as it suggests the stock is trading at a discount to its net asset value and may offer a greater margin of safety.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | KLAC | NICE |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 28.39 | 16.40 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 9.48 | 3.08 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 25.24 | 2.84 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 30.81 | 13.26 |