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Kla Corp. (KLAC) Stock Fundamental Analysis & AI Rating 2026

KLAC Nasdaq Optical Instruments & Lenses DE CIK: 0000319201
Updated This Month • Analysis: Mar 19, 2026 • SEC Data: 2025-12-31
📅 Next earnings: Apr 29, 2026 (in 13 days) • After-hours ET • EPS est. $9.16 (vs $8.41 prior year) • All earnings →
Combined AI Rating
BUY
88% Confidence
AGREEMENT
STRONG BUY
92% Conf
BUY
84% Conf

📊 KLAC Key Takeaways

Revenue: $6.5B
Net Margin: 34.8%
Free Cash Flow: $2.3B
Current Ratio: 2.83x
Debt/Equity: 1.08x
EPS: $17.15
AI Rating: STRONG BUY with 92% confidence
Kla Corp. (KLAC) receives a BUY rating with 88% confidence from our AI fundamental analysis based on SEC 10-K filings. With revenue of $6.5B, net profit margin of 34.8%, and return on equity (ROE) of 41.5%, Kla Corp. demonstrates strong fundamentals in the Industrial sector. Below is our complete KLAC stock analysis for 2026.

Is Kla Corp. (KLAC) a Good Investment?

Claude

KLA demonstrates exceptional operational excellence with industry-leading profitability (40.6% operating margin, 34.8% net margin) and robust growth (+23.9% revenue YoY). The company converts revenue efficiently into free cash flow (35.8% FCF margin, $2.3B absolute) while maintaining a healthy balance sheet with strong liquidity (2.83x current ratio) and manageable leverage (1.08x debt/equity, 11.6x interest coverage).

ChatGPT

KLA shows high-quality fundamentals with strong revenue growth, exceptional operating and net margins, and free cash flow conversion that remains very robust. The balance sheet appears healthy on liquidity and interest coverage, while ROE and ROA indicate efficient capital use. The main restraint is that net income was flat despite strong sales growth, suggesting some mix, cost, tax, or capital-allocation effects that should be monitored before taking a more aggressive stance.

Why Buy Kla Corp. Stock? KLAC Key Strengths

Claude
  • + Exceptional operating margins (40.6%) and net margins (34.8%) indicating strong pricing power and operational efficiency in optical instrumentation
  • + High-quality growth with $2.3B free cash flow generation (35.8% FCF margin) demonstrating cash conversion strength
  • + Outstanding returns on equity (41.5%) and assets (13.6%) showing efficient capital deployment
  • + Strong liquidity position with 2.83x current ratio and $2.5B cash providing strategic flexibility
  • + Robust revenue growth of 23.9% YoY demonstrating sustained demand in semiconductor/optical instruments sector
ChatGPT
  • + Revenue grew 23.9% year over year while operating margin remained very strong at 40.6%
  • + Free cash flow of $2.33B and a 35.8% FCF margin indicate excellent cash generation quality
  • + Liquidity is solid with a 2.83x current ratio and 11.6x interest coverage despite meaningful debt

KLAC Stock Risks: Kla Corp. Investment Risks

Claude
  • ! Elevated debt burden ($5.9B long-term debt, 1.08x debt/equity) limits financial flexibility despite strong cash generation
  • ! High exposure to semiconductor industry cyclicality which could pressure revenue and profitability in downturns
  • ! Net income flat growth (+0.0% YoY) despite strong revenue growth suggests operating leverage headwinds or one-time charges masking underlying performance
ChatGPT
  • ! Net income was flat year over year even as revenue rose sharply, which may indicate pressure below the operating line or weaker earnings quality
  • ! Leverage is material with long-term debt of $5.89B and debt-to-equity of 1.08x
  • ! Reported gross margin of 17.7% is inconsistent with the much higher operating and net margins, creating some data-quality uncertainty

Key Metrics to Watch

Claude
  • * Revenue growth sustainability and operating margin trajectory as semiconductor cycle potentially moderates
  • * Free cash flow conversion consistency and dividend/debt repayment strategy
  • * Debt reduction progress to improve leverage ratio and financial flexibility
ChatGPT
  • * Net income growth relative to revenue growth
  • * Free cash flow margin consistency

Kla Corp. (KLAC) Financial Metrics & Key Ratios

Revenue
$6.5B
Net Income
$2.3B
EPS (Diluted)
$17.15
Free Cash Flow
$2.3B
Total Assets
$16.7B
Cash Position
$2.5B

💡 AI Analyst Insight

The 35.8% free cash flow margin provides substantial flexibility for dividends, buybacks, and strategic investments. Strong liquidity with a 2.83x current ratio provides a solid financial cushion.

KLAC Profit Margin, ROE & Profitability Analysis

Gross Margin 17.7%
Operating Margin 40.6%
Net Margin 34.8%
ROE 41.5%
ROA 13.6%
FCF Margin 35.8%

KLAC vs Industrial Sector: How Kla Corp. Compares

How Kla Corp. compares to Industrial sector averages

Net Margin
KLAC 34.8%
vs
Sector Avg 10.0%
KLAC Sector
ROE
KLAC 41.5%
vs
Sector Avg 15.0%
KLAC Sector
Current Ratio
KLAC 2.8x
vs
Sector Avg 1.8x
KLAC Sector
Debt/Equity
KLAC 1.1x
vs
Sector Avg 0.7x
KLAC Sector

Sector benchmarks are approximate industry averages. Actual sector performance may vary.

Is Kla Corp. Stock Overvalued? KLAC Valuation Analysis 2026

Based on fundamental analysis, Kla Corp. appears fundamentally strong relative to the Industrial sector in 2026.

Return on Equity
41.5%
Sector avg: 15%
Net Profit Margin
34.8%
Sector avg: 10%
Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Debt/Equity
1.08x
Sector avg: 0.7x

Note: This is a fundamental analysis based on SEC filings. For P/E ratio, price targets, and market-based valuation, consult financial data providers. This is not investment advice.

Kla Corp. Balance Sheet: KLAC Debt, Cash & Liquidity

Current Ratio
2.83x
Quick Ratio
2.00x
Debt/Equity
1.08x
Debt/Assets
67.3%
Interest Coverage
11.56x
Long-term Debt
$5.9B

KLAC Revenue & Earnings Growth: 5-Year Financial Trend

KLAC 5-year financial data: Year 2021: Revenue $6.9B, Net Income $1.2B, EPS $7.49. Year 2022: Revenue $9.2B, Net Income $1.2B, EPS $7.70. Year 2023: Revenue $10.5B, Net Income $2.1B, EPS $13.37. Year 2024: Revenue $10.5B, Net Income $3.3B, EPS $21.92. Year 2025: Revenue $12.2B, Net Income $3.4B, EPS $24.15.
Revenue
Net Income
EPS (right axis)

5-Year Trend Summary: Kla Corp.'s revenue has grown significantly by 76% over the 5-year period, indicating strong business expansion. The most recent EPS of $24.15 reflects profitable operations.

KLAC Revenue Growth, EPS Growth & YoY Performance

Revenue Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
Net Income Growth
N/A
Year-over-year
EPS Growth
N/A
Earnings per share
FCF Margin
35.8%
Free cash flow / Revenue

KLAC Quarterly Earnings & Performance

Quarterly financial performance data for Kla Corp. including revenue, net income, and earnings per share.
Quarter Revenue Net Income EPS
Q2 2026 $3.1B $824.5M $6.16
Q1 2026 $2.8B $945.9M $7.01
Q3 2025 $2.4B $582.5M $4.43
Q2 2025 $2.5B $582.5M $4.28
Q1 2025 $2.4B $741.4M $5.41
Q3 2024 $2.4B $582.5M $4.43
Q2 2024 $2.5B $582.5M $4.28
Q1 2024 $2.4B $741.4M $5.41

Data sourced from SEC EDGAR 10-Q quarterly filings. Figures may represent quarterly or cumulative values.

Kla Corp. Dividends, Buybacks & Capital Allocation

Operating Cash Flow
$2.5B
Cash generated from operations
Stock Buybacks
$1.1B
Shares repurchased (TTM)
Capital Expenditures
$201.5M
Investment in assets
Dividends Paid
$503.7M
Returned to shareholders

KLAC SEC Filings: Latest 10-K & 10-Q Analysis

Access official SEC EDGAR filings for Kla Corp. (CIK: 0000319201)

📋 Recent SEC Filings

Date Form Document Action
Mar 12, 2026 8-K d105235d8k.htm View →
Feb 6, 2026 4 xslF345X05/ownership.xml View →
Feb 5, 2026 8-K d80148d8k.htm View →
Jan 30, 2026 10-Q klac-20251231.htm View →
Jan 29, 2026 8-K klac-20260129.htm View →

Frequently Asked Questions about KLAC

What is the AI rating for KLAC?

Kla Corp. (KLAC) has a Combined AI Rating of BUY from Claude (STRONG BUY) and ChatGPT (BUY) with 88% combined confidence, based on fundamental analysis of SEC EDGAR filings.

What are KLAC's key strengths?

Claude: Exceptional operating margins (40.6%) and net margins (34.8%) indicating strong pricing power and operational efficiency in optical instrumentation. High-quality growth with $2.3B free cash flow generation (35.8% FCF margin) demonstrating cash conversion strength. ChatGPT: Revenue grew 23.9% year over year while operating margin remained very strong at 40.6%. Free cash flow of $2.33B and a 35.8% FCF margin indicate excellent cash generation quality.

What are the risks of investing in KLAC?

Claude: Elevated debt burden ($5.9B long-term debt, 1.08x debt/equity) limits financial flexibility despite strong cash generation. High exposure to semiconductor industry cyclicality which could pressure revenue and profitability in downturns. ChatGPT: Net income was flat year over year even as revenue rose sharply, which may indicate pressure below the operating line or weaker earnings quality. Leverage is material with long-term debt of $5.89B and debt-to-equity of 1.08x.

What is KLAC's revenue and growth?

Kla Corp. reported revenue of $6.5B.

Does KLAC pay dividends?

Kla Corp. pays dividends, with $503.7M distributed to shareholders in the trailing twelve months.

Where can I find KLAC SEC filings?

Official SEC filings for Kla Corp. (CIK: 0000319201) including 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K reports are available on SEC EDGAR.

What is KLAC's EPS?

Kla Corp. has a diluted EPS of $17.15.

How is the AI analysis conducted?

Two independent AI systems — Claude (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) — analyze SEC EDGAR filings including 10-K annual reports and 10-Q quarterly reports. Each AI evaluates financial health, profitability ratios, balance sheet strength, and growth metrics. The combined rating reflects both perspectives for balanced insights.

Is KLAC a good stock to buy right now?

Based on our AI fundamental analysis in April 2026, Kla Corp. has a BUY rating with 88% confidence. The AI analysis suggests favorable fundamentals based on SEC filings. This is not investment advice.

Is KLAC stock overvalued or undervalued?

Valuation metrics for KLAC: ROE of 41.5% (sector avg: 15%), net margin of 34.8% (sector avg: 10%). Higher ROE suggests strong returns relative to peers.

Should I buy KLAC stock in 2026?

Our dual AI analysis gives Kla Corp. a combined BUY rating for 2026. Revenue is data pending, with profitability above sector average. Always conduct your own research.

What is KLAC's free cash flow?

Kla Corp.'s operating cash flow is $2.5B, with capital expenditures of $201.5M. FCF margin is 35.8%.

How does KLAC compare to other Industrial stocks?

Vs Industrial sector averages: Net margin 34.8% (avg: 10%), ROE 41.5% (avg: 15%), current ratio 2.83 (avg: 1.8).

Why is KLAC's return on equity (ROE) so high?

Kla Corp. has a return on equity of 41.5%, significantly above the Industrial sector average of 15%. A high ROE indicates the company is efficient at generating profits from shareholder equity. This is supported by a 34.8% net margin.

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Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by Claude AI (Anthropic) and ChatGPT (OpenAI) based on publicly available SEC EDGAR filings. It does not include stock price data and should not be considered financial advice. All fundamental data is sourced from SEC public domain filings. Always conduct your own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Data Source: SEC EDGAR | Analysis Date: Mar 19, 2026 | Data as of: 2025-12-31 | Powered by Claude AI