International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) vs KLA Corporation (KLAC)

A side-by-side comparison of International Business Machines Corporation and KLA Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 11, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnIBM vs KLAC

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
IBM +141.7% (+9.2%/yr)KLAC +2853.2% (+40.3%/yr)KLAC compounded faster over this window
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $10020182020202220242026$242$2,953
IBM KLAC

IBM vs KLAC: by the numbers

  • KLAC is the larger company ($235.97B vs $229.21B market cap).
  • IBM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.53 vs 49.29 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • KLAC converts more revenue to profit (35.57% vs 15.52% net margin).
  • KLAC grew revenue faster over the past five years (14.44% vs 1.13% CAGR).
  • IBM pays the higher dividend yield (2.88% vs 0.47%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricIBMKLAC
P/E ratio21.5349.29
Forward P/E19.7632.91
P/S ratio3.3217.38
P/B ratio6.6537.16
EV / EBITDA16.3839.72
FCF yield5.95%1.60%

Profitability

MetricIBMKLAC
Gross margin58.43%61.30%
Operating margin17.86%41.69%
Net margin15.52%35.57%
ROE31.13%76.08%
ROIC10.12%35.75%

Dividends

MetricIBMKLAC
Dividend yield2.88%0.47%
Payout ratio59.65%22.92%

Growth (annualized)

MetricIBMKLAC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)1.13%14.44%
EPS CAGR (5Y)12.59%22.23%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-1.28%14.04%
Total return CAGR (5Y)16.72%39.61%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, IBM or KLAC?
IBM has the lower trailing P/E: IBM trades at 21.53 and KLAC at 49.29. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, IBM or KLAC?
Over the past five years, KLAC grew revenue faster — IBM at a 1.13% CAGR versus KLAC at 14.44%.
Does IBM or KLAC pay a bigger dividend?
IBM yields 2.88% and KLAC yields 0.47% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is IBM or KLAC more profitable?
KLAC runs the higher net margin — IBM at 15.52% versus KLAC at 35.57%.
How have IBM and KLAC total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, IBM delivered 9.09% and KLAC delivered 40.45% annualized total return. 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 September 11, 2026.