Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) vs KLA Corporation (KLAC)
KLAC leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics, though AMAT is the cheaper stock.
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 June 14, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — AMAT vs KLAC
growth of $100 · last 30yAMAT +13153.5%KLAC +20101.6%KLAC compounded faster
AMAT KLAC
AMAT vs KLAC: by the numbers
- •AMAT is the larger company ($450.37B vs $332.50B market cap).
- •AMAT trades at the lower earnings multiple (53.31 vs 72.05 P/E).
- •KLAC converts more revenue to profit (35.66% vs 29.31% net margin).
- •KLAC grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.21% vs 9.33% CAGR).
- •KLAC pays the higher dividend yield (3.14% vs 0.34%).
Which is better, AMAT or KLAC?
Metric tally: AMAT 5 · KLAC 11It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueAMAT(lower P/E)
GrowthKLAC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeKLAC(higher dividend yield)
QualityKLAC(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | AMAT | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 53.31● | 72.05 |
| Forward P/E | 46.38 | — |
| P/S ratio | 15.62● | 25.61 |
| P/B ratio | 18.96● | 57.52 |
| PEG ratio | 76.90 | 0.06● |
| EV / EBITDA | 41.89● | 57.56 |
| FCF yield | 1.32%● | 1.20% |
Profitability
| Metric | AMAT | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 48.96% | 61.75%● |
| Operating margin | 29.51% | 42.08%● |
| Net margin | 29.31% | 35.66%● |
| ROE | 35.58% | 80.11%● |
| ROIC | 21.96% | 38.11%● |
Dividends
| Metric | AMAT | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.34% | 3.14%● |
| Payout ratio | 21.93% | 262.04% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | AMAT | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 9.33% | 15.21%● |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 17.13% | 31.52%● |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 9.02% | 15.49%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 34.01% | 67.17%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, AMAT or KLAC?
- It depends on your goal. value: AMAT (lower P/E); growth: KLAC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: KLAC (higher dividend yield); quality: KLAC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, KLAC leads 11 to 5.
- Is AMAT or KLAC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, AMAT is cheaper: AMAT trades at a 53.31 P/E and KLAC at 72.05.
- Which has grown faster, AMAT or KLAC?
- Over the past five years, KLAC grew revenue faster — AMAT at a 9.33% CAGR versus KLAC at 15.21%.
- Does AMAT or KLAC pay a bigger dividend?
- AMAT yields 0.34% and KLAC yields 3.14% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is AMAT or KLAC more profitable?
- KLAC runs the higher net margin — AMAT at 29.31% versus KLAC at 35.66%.
- Which has been the better investment, AMAT or KLAC?
- Over the past 10-year, KLAC delivered the higher annualized total return — AMAT at 38.64% versus KLAC at 67.44%. 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 June 14, 2026.