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.
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation
$227.55TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
KLAC
KLA Corporation
$190.80TechnologyDelayed quote: Jul 28, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT
Total return — IBM vs KLAC
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30yIBM +1642.6%KLAC +31869.0%KLAC compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
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
| Metric | IBM | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 19.14 | 57.59 |
| Forward P/E | 17.54 | 54.82 |
| P/S ratio | 2.98 | 20.46 |
| P/B ratio | 5.98 | 45.95 |
| PEG ratio | 0.35 | 0.59 |
| EV / EBITDA | 16.31 | 46.54 |
| FCF yield | 7.08% | 1.50% |
Profitability
| Metric | IBM | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 58.43% | 61.45% |
| Operating margin | 17.86% | 41.68% |
| Net margin | 15.52% | 35.66% |
| ROE | 31.13% | 80.11% |
| ROIC | 10.37% | 36.46% |
Dividends
| Metric | IBM | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.11% | 0.39% |
| Payout ratio | 59.24% | 26.20% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | IBM | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
International Business Machines P/E ratioKLA P/E ratioInternational Business Machines dividend yieldKLA dividend yieldInternational Business Machines ROEKLA ROEInternational Business Machines operating marginKLA operating marginInternational Business Machines revenue growthKLA revenue growthInternational Business Machines free cash flowKLA free cash flow
International Business Machines & 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 July 28, 2026.