KLAC vs. QCOM: KLA vs. QUALCOMM Stock Comparison

November 11, 2026

How do KLA (KLAC) and QUALCOMM (QCOM) 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

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

Company profile comparison for KLA (KLAC) and QUALCOMM (QCOM)
Profile Item	KLAC	QCOM
Name	KLA Corporation	QUALCOMM Incorporated
Country/Region	United States	United States
GICS Sector	Information Technology	Information Technology
GICS Industry Group	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS Industry	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment	Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment
GICS Sub-Industry	Semiconductor Materials & Equipment	Semiconductors
Market Capitalization	180.45 billion USD	176.99 billion USD
Currency	USD	USD
Exchange	Nasdaq	Nasdaq
Listing Date	October 8, 1980	December 13, 1991
Security Type	Common Stock	Common Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

KLAC

QCOM

GSPC

KLA (KLAC) vs. QUALCOMM (QCOM), 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 KLA (KLAC) and QUALCOMM (QCOM). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for KLA (KLAC) and QUALCOMM (QCOM)
Metric	KLAC	QCOM
Total Return (1Y)	26.92%	4.41%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)	44.97%	15.75%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)	30.55%	3.17%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

KLAC

QCOM

GSPC

KLA (KLAC) vs. QUALCOMM (QCOM), 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 KLA (KLAC) and QUALCOMM (QCOM). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Risk profile metrics for KLA (KLAC) and QUALCOMM (QCOM)
Metric	KLAC	QCOM
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)	63.92%	55.42%
Beta (5Y)	1.51	1.73
Max Drawdown (5Y)	-56.93%	-44.29%
Avg. Volume (3M)	10.66M	12.25M

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

KLAC and QCOM 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 KLA (KLAC) and QUALCOMM (QCOM)
Metric	KLAC	QCOM
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)	0.35	0.00
Sortino Ratio (1Y)	0.50	0.00

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Both companies show strong equity returns, but KLA (KLAC) at 91.38% is the standout with ROE above its industry range; QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 52.82% also sits in the top quartile.

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%

QCOM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

52.82%

QCOM: 52.82%
Max: 52.82%
Q3: 22.26%
Median: 10.58%
Q1: 1.29%
Min: -16.89%

KLA (KLAC) vs. QUALCOMM (QCOM): A comparison of their ROE against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Net Margin (TTM)

For every dollar of sales, both KLA (KLAC) at 36.25% and QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 31.61% retain more as net profit than most peers, landing in the top net margin quartile of their industries.

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%

QCOM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

31.61%

Max: 63.80%
QCOM: 31.61%
Q3: 28.36%
Median: 11.44%
Q1: 0.90%
Min: -37.77%

KLA (KLAC) vs. QUALCOMM (QCOM): A comparison of their net margin against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Operating Margin (TTM)

KLA (KLAC) at 45.01% operates in the top operating margin quartile, ahead of QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 15.41%, which runs around its industry’s norm.

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%

QCOM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

15.41%

Max: 58.66%
Q3: 30.23%
Median: 15.91%
QCOM: 15.41%
Q1: 7.54%
Min: -25.74%

KLA (KLAC) vs. QUALCOMM (QCOM): A comparison of their operating margin against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for KLA (KLAC) and QUALCOMM (QCOM)
Metric	KLAC	QCOM
ROE (TTM)	91.38%	52.82%
ROA (TTM)	22.27%	10.13%
Net Margin (TTM)	36.25%	31.61%
Operating Margin (TTM)	45.01%	15.41%
Gross Margin (TTM)	61.47%	53.10%

Growth

Revenue Growth

KLA (KLAC) at 11.71% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while QUALCOMM (QCOM) at -2.63% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.

KLA (KLAC) vs. QUALCOMM (QCOM): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 153.49% clears its industry range for EPS growth, a much stronger earnings trajectory than KLA (KLAC) at 20.51%, which is closer to a typical peer reading.

KLA (KLAC) vs. QUALCOMM (QCOM): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for KLA (KLAC) and QUALCOMM (QCOM)
Metric	KLAC	QCOM
Revenue Growth (YoY)	11.71%	-2.63%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)	8.96%	6.38%
EPS Growth (YoY)	20.51%	153.49%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)	14.87%	25.53%

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

KLA (KLAC) at 2.76 keeps current ratio within its industry’s typical mid-range, while QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 1.86 runs in the tighter-liquidity quartile — a thinner cushion against current liabilities for QCOM.

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

QCOM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

1.86

Max: 10.33
Q3: 5.62
Median: 3.33
Q1: 2.35
QCOM: 1.86
Min: 1.03

KLA (KLAC) vs. QUALCOMM (QCOM): A comparison of their current ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 0.53 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while KLA (KLAC) at 0.92 uses more debt funding than most peers.

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

QCOM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.53

Max: 1.46
Q3: 0.65
QCOM: 0.53
Median: 0.27
Q1: 0.04
Min: 0.00

KLA (KLAC) vs. QUALCOMM (QCOM): A comparison of their debt-to-equity ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for KLA (KLAC) and QUALCOMM (QCOM)
Metric	KLAC	QCOM
Current Ratio (MRQ)	2.76	1.86
Debt / Equity (MRQ)	0.92	0.53
Net Debt / EBITDA	0.19	0.78

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

KLA (KLAC) at 0.65% pays an industry-typical yield; QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 2.31% is above its entire peer range — the higher number, but one that calls for a look at payout sustainability before treating it as an advantage.

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%

QCOM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

2.31%

QCOM: 2.31%
Max: 1.37%
Q3: 0.65%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

KLA (KLAC) vs. QUALCOMM (QCOM): A comparison of their dividend yield against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

KLA (KLAC) at 21.03% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 28.50% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.

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%

QCOM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

28.50%

Max: 49.64%
QCOM: 28.50%
Q3: 21.71%
Median: 0.00%
Q1: 0.00%
Min: 0.00%

KLA (KLAC) vs. QUALCOMM (QCOM): A comparison of their payout ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for KLA (KLAC) and QUALCOMM (QCOM)
Metric	KLAC	QCOM
Dividend Yield (TTM)	0.65%	2.31%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)	21.03%	28.50%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 13.02 sits in the cheaper P/E ratio quartile, while KLA (KLAC) at 34.71 is closer to its industry’s usual earnings multiple — a discount for QCOM, though growth and earnings durability still matter.

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

QCOM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

13.02

Max: 110.34
Q3: 66.81
Median: 37.02
Q1: 23.96
QCOM: 13.02
Min: 8.12

KLA (KLAC) vs. QUALCOMM (QCOM): A comparison of their P/E ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 4.10 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while KLA (KLAC) at 12.44 sits in the pricier quartile — KLAC costs more per dollar of sales.

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

QCOM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

4.10

Max: 21.42
Q3: 12.27
Median: 5.76
QCOM: 4.10
Q1: 2.73
Min: 0.00

KLA (KLAC) vs. QUALCOMM (QCOM): A comparison of their P/S ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

QUALCOMM (QCOM) at 5.83 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while KLA (KLAC) at 27.67 prices above its benchmark range — KLAC looks rich relative to book.

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

QCOM

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

5.83

Max: 14.06
Q3: 7.44
QCOM: 5.83
Median: 4.29
Q1: 2.30
Min: 0.20

KLA (KLAC) vs. QUALCOMM (QCOM): A comparison of their P/B ratio against the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group benchmark.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for KLA (KLAC) and QUALCOMM (QCOM)
Metric	KLAC	QCOM
P/E Ratio (TTM)	34.71	13.02
P/S Ratio (TTM)	12.44	4.10
P/B Ratio (MRQ)	27.67	5.83
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)	1.56%	5.15%