KLA (KLAC): analysis in plain words
Is KLA cheap or expensive? How it makes money, whether it grows and its risks, explained in plain words and with its official accounts.
KLA (KLAC) is listed on the Nasdaq and we classify it in semiconductors. Below are its key dated figures, how it makes money, how it compares with its sector, what works for and against KLA according to those figures, and the questions people ask most about the stock. No buy or sell tips.
KLA (KLAC) key figures as of November 4, 2026
| Figure | Value | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $149.79 | Last price on November 4, 2026 |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 37.5x | Price over earnings per share |
| Revenue growth | +28.9% | Latest quarter vs the same quarter a year earlier |
| Net margin (TTM) | 36.3% | Profit for every 100 of sales |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 0.2x | Years of operating profit to repay debt |
| Dividend yield | 0.59% | Annual dividend over price |
| Market cap | $195.2 billion | What the stock market values it at |
The KLA figures come from Yahoo Finance, the same source the Fintols analysis uses, retrieved on November 4, 2026. Any KLAC figure that is not available shows as N/A: we do not estimate it.
How KLA makes money
KLA specializes in inspection and metrology tools that catch defects as chips are being made. Semiconductor Process Control is by far its main segment, alongside Specialty Semiconductor Process and PCB and Component Inspection. It sells to chip fabs worldwide, mostly in Asia, and also earns recurring service revenue on installed tools.
Over the last 12 months, KLA brought in revenue of $14.5 billion. For every 100 it sells, KLA keeps 61.5 after the direct cost of what it sells (gross margin) and 45.0 after all operating costs (operating margin). With 17,000 full-time employees, that is about $853,000 of revenue per employee.
KLA against its sector
To know whether a KLA figure is high or low you have to put it next to similar companies. This table compares KLA with the median of the 14 semiconductors companies Fintols covers, with data as of November 4, 2026.
| Figure | KLA | semiconductors median |
|---|---|---|
| P/E | 37.5x | 37.9x (14) |
| Revenue growth | +28.9% | +39.6% (15) |
| Net margin | 36.3% | 32.3% (15) |
| Dividend yield | 0.59% | 0.57% (15) |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 0.2x | -0.2x (15) |
In short, against the typical semiconductors company, KLA grows more slowly and carries more debt. By size, KLA ranks number 12 of 13 semiconductors companies quoted in USD on Fintols.
The bull case for KLA
These are the strengths in the KLA figures as of November 4, 2026:
- Its net margin over the last 12 months is 36.3% (sector median: 32.3%): KLA turns a large share of its sales into profit.
- Analysts expect KLA earnings to rise: its P/E on the next 12 months of estimated earnings is 21.1x, below the current 37.5x.
- KLA earns 91.4% a year on its shareholders' money (return on equity).
The main risk for KLA
KLA stock sits 51% below its 52-week high ($307.37): the market has cut its expectations, and it is worth understanding why first.
And, like the rest of semiconductors, KLA is exposed to the chip cycle: years of heavy customer spending are usually followed by years of cuts.
Frequently asked questions about KLA
Is it a good time to buy KLA stock?
Fintols does not tell you whether to buy or sell KLA, and nobody knows what the price will do tomorrow. What we can show you is where it stands today. As of November 4, 2026, KLA stock trades at $149.79, 51% below its 52-week high ($307.37) and 40% above its low ($107.20). Its P/E is 37.5x against a semiconductors median of 37.9x, and 21.1x on the earnings analysts expect over the next 12 months. With KLA, as with any stock, timing matters less than understanding the business, investing for the long run and not betting everything on a single company.
Does KLA pay a dividend?
Yes. As of November 4, 2026, KLA pays $0.92 per share a year, which at today's price is a yield of 0.59%. It uses 21% of its profit to pay it, which leaves room to keep paying it if profit dips. Its average dividend yield over the last five years is 0.78%. The semiconductors median on Fintols is 0.57%.
Is KLA stock expensive?
It depends on what you compare it with. On P/E, KLA trades at 37.5x its last 12 months of earnings: in line with the semiconductors median (37.9x). Including its debt, KLA is valued at 31.1x its EBITDA (EV/EBITDA). A high P/E alone does not make KLA expensive: it can be justified if earnings grow fast, and a low one can reflect a business in trouble.
Who are KLA's competitors?
On Fintols we compare KLA with Micron, Lam Research and Analog Devices, which are also in semiconductors. As of November 4, 2026, Micron is worth $899.7 billion and trades on a P/E of 10.7; Lam Research is worth $277.1 billion and trades on a P/E of 33.0; Analog Devices is worth $196.8 billion and trades on a P/E of 48.2. Each has a side-by-side comparison with KLA below.
KLA competitors
- Micron (MU) analysis · KLA vs Micron comparison
- Lam Research (LRCX) analysis · KLA vs Lam Research comparison
- Analog Devices (ADI) analysis · KLA vs Analog Devices comparison
To understand KLA better
- Using AI to Analyze Stocks: A Practical, Careful Guide
- P/E Ratio and EPS Explained: How to Read Them Without Traps
More companies like KLA: semiconductors stocks and S&P 500 companies. Open the full KLAC analysis with its valuation and scenarios. Educational content about KLA, not investment advice.