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 July 28, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnIBM vs KLAC

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
IBM +1642.6%KLAC +31869.0%KLAC compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
1001k10k100kStart $100200120062011201620212026$1,743$31,969
IBM KLAC

IBM vs KLAC: by the numbers

  • KLAC is the larger company ($249.24B vs $214.38B market cap).
  • IBM trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (19.14 vs 57.59 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • KLAC converts more revenue to profit (35.66% vs 15.52% net margin).
  • KLAC grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.21% vs 1.13% CAGR).
  • IBM pays the higher dividend yield (3.11% vs 0.39%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricIBMKLAC
P/E ratio19.1457.59
Forward P/E17.5454.82
P/S ratio2.9820.46
P/B ratio5.9845.95
PEG ratio0.350.59
EV / EBITDA16.3146.54
FCF yield7.08%1.50%

Profitability

MetricIBMKLAC
Gross margin58.43%61.45%
Operating margin17.86%41.68%
Net margin15.52%35.66%
ROE31.13%80.11%
ROIC10.37%36.46%

Dividends

MetricIBMKLAC
Dividend yield3.11%0.39%
Payout ratio59.24%26.20%

Growth (annualized)

MetricIBMKLAC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)1.13%15.21%
EPS CAGR (5Y)12.59%31.52%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-5.01%15.49%
Total return CAGR (5Y)14.25%44.53%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, IBM or KLAC?
IBM has the lower trailing P/E: IBM trades at 19.14 and KLAC at 57.59. 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 15.21%.
Does IBM or KLAC pay a bigger dividend?
IBM yields 3.11% and KLAC yields 0.39% 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 35.66%.
How have IBM and KLAC total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, IBM delivered 7.89% and KLAC delivered 39.93% 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 July 28, 2026.