Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) vs KLA Corporation (KLAC)

KLAC leads on 10 of 16 compared metrics, though CSCO is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Cisco Systems, 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 — CSCO vs KLAC

growth of $100 · last 30y
CSCO +1872.3%KLAC +20101.6%KLAC compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,972$20,202
CSCO KLAC

CSCO vs KLAC: by the numbers

  • CSCO is the larger company ($477.31B vs $332.50B market cap).
  • CSCO trades at the lower earnings multiple (40.37 vs 72.05 P/E).
  • KLAC converts more revenue to profit (35.66% vs 19.69% net margin).
  • KLAC grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.21% vs 4.58% CAGR).
  • KLAC pays the higher dividend yield (3.14% vs 1.36%).

Which is better, CSCO or KLAC?

Metric tally: CSCO 6 · KLAC 10

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCSCO(lower P/E)
GrowthKLAC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeKLAC(higher dividend yield)
QualityKLAC(higher ROIC)

Valuation

MetricCSCOKLAC
P/E ratio40.3772.05
Forward P/E28.33
P/S ratio7.9525.61
P/B ratio9.8857.52
PEG ratio68.410.06
EV / EBITDA29.0757.56
FCF yield2.61%1.20%

Profitability

MetricCSCOKLAC
Gross margin64.33%61.75%
Operating margin23.36%42.08%
Net margin19.69%35.66%
ROE24.47%80.11%
ROIC11.66%38.11%

Dividends

MetricCSCOKLAC
Dividend yield1.36%3.14%
Payout ratio64.45%262.04%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCSCOKLAC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)4.58%15.21%
EPS CAGR (5Y)-0.69%31.52%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-2.45%15.49%
Total return CAGR (5Y)20.60%67.17%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CSCO or KLAC?
It depends on your goal. value: CSCO (lower P/E); growth: KLAC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: KLAC (higher dividend yield); quality: KLAC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, KLAC leads 10 to 6.
Is CSCO or KLAC cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CSCO is cheaper: CSCO trades at a 40.37 P/E and KLAC at 72.05.
Which has grown faster, CSCO or KLAC?
Over the past five years, KLAC grew revenue faster — CSCO at a 4.58% CAGR versus KLAC at 15.21%.
Does CSCO or KLAC pay a bigger dividend?
CSCO yields 1.36% and KLAC yields 3.14% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CSCO or KLAC more profitable?
KLAC runs the higher net margin — CSCO at 19.69% versus KLAC at 35.66%.
Which has been the better investment, CSCO or KLAC?
Over the past 10-year, KLAC delivered the higher annualized total return — CSCO at 18.88% versus KLAC at 67.44%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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.