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 30yCSCO +1872.3%KLAC +20101.6%KLAC compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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 10It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueCSCO(lower P/E)
GrowthKLAC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeKLAC(higher dividend yield)
QualityKLAC(higher ROIC)
Valuation
| Metric | CSCO | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 40.37● | 72.05 |
| Forward P/E | 28.33 | — |
| P/S ratio | 7.95● | 25.61 |
| P/B ratio | 9.88● | 57.52 |
| PEG ratio | 68.41 | 0.06● |
| EV / EBITDA | 29.07● | 57.56 |
| FCF yield | 2.61%● | 1.20% |
Profitability
| Metric | CSCO | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 64.33%● | 61.75% |
| Operating margin | 23.36% | 42.08%● |
| Net margin | 19.69% | 35.66%● |
| ROE | 24.47% | 80.11%● |
| ROIC | 11.66% | 38.11%● |
Dividends
| Metric | CSCO | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 1.36% | 3.14%● |
| Payout ratio | 64.45% | 262.04% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CSCO | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Cisco Systems P/E ratioKLA P/E ratioCisco Systems dividend yieldKLA dividend yieldCisco Systems ROEKLA ROECisco Systems operating marginKLA operating marginCisco Systems revenue growthKLA revenue growthCisco Systems free cash flowKLA free cash flow
Cisco Systems & 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.