Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) vs KLA Corporation (KLAC)
A side-by-side comparison of Applied Materials, Inc. and KLA Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 8, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
AMAT
Applied Materials, Inc.
$472.79TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 8, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
KLAC
KLA Corporation
$188.98TechnologyDelayed quote: Sep 8, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — AMAT vs KLAC
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yAMAT +1609.6% (+32.8%/yr)KLAC +2976.1% (+40.9%/yr)KLAC compounded faster over this window
AMAT KLAC
AMAT vs KLAC: by the numbers
- •AMAT is the larger company ($375.38B vs $246.86B market cap).
- •AMAT trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (39.20 vs 50.64 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •KLAC converts more revenue to profit (35.57% vs 30.05% net margin).
- •KLAC grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.44% vs 8.81% CAGR).
- •KLAC pays the higher dividend yield (0.45% vs 0.42%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AMAT | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 39.20 | 50.64 |
| Forward P/E | 35.49 | 50.03 |
| P/S ratio | 11.80 | 18.04 |
| P/B ratio | 14.20 | 38.57 |
| EV / EBITDA | 36.67 | 41.19 |
| FCF yield | 1.55% | 1.54% |
Profitability
| Metric | AMAT | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 49.40% | 61.30% |
| Operating margin | 30.50% | 41.69% |
| Net margin | 30.05% | 35.57% |
| ROE | 36.16% | 76.08% |
| ROIC | 23.58% | 35.75% |
Dividends
| Metric | AMAT | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.42% | 0.45% |
| Payout ratio | 16.47% | 22.92% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AMAT | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 8.81% | 14.44% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 17.13% | 22.23% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 5.66% | 14.04% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 28.38% | 41.61% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, AMAT or KLAC?
- AMAT has the lower trailing P/E: AMAT trades at 39.20 and KLAC at 50.64. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, AMAT or KLAC?
- Over the past five years, KLAC grew revenue faster — AMAT at a 8.81% CAGR versus KLAC at 14.44%.
- Does AMAT or KLAC pay a bigger dividend?
- AMAT yields 0.42% and KLAC yields 0.45% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AMAT or KLAC more profitable?
- KLAC runs the higher net margin — AMAT at 30.05% versus KLAC at 35.57%.
- How have AMAT and KLAC total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, AMAT delivered 32.62% and KLAC delivered 40.92% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Applied Materials P/E ratioKLA P/E ratioApplied Materials dividend yieldKLA dividend yieldApplied Materials ROEKLA ROEApplied Materials operating marginKLA operating marginApplied Materials revenue growthKLA revenue growthApplied Materials free cash flowKLA free cash flow
Applied Materials & KLA appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified September 8, 2026.