KLA Corporation (KLAC) vs QUALCOMM Incorporated (QCOM)
KLAC leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics, though QCOM is the cheaper stock.
A side-by-side comparison of KLA Corporation and QUALCOMM Incorporated across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 15, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — KLAC vs QCOM
growth of $100 · last 30yKLAC +21289.9%QCOM +7150.7%KLAC compounded faster
KLAC QCOM
KLAC vs QCOM: by the numbers
- •KLAC is the larger company ($332.50B vs $223.15B market cap).
- •QCOM trades at the lower earnings multiple (22.72 vs 72.05 P/E).
- •KLAC converts more revenue to profit (35.66% vs 22.31% net margin).
- •KLAC grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.21% vs 8.63% CAGR).
- •KLAC pays the higher dividend yield (3.14% vs 1.70%).
Which is better, KLAC or QCOM?
Metric tally: KLAC 11 · QCOM 6It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueQCOM(lower P/E)
GrowthKLAC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeKLAC(higher dividend yield)
QualityKLAC(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | KLAC | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 72.05 | 22.72● |
| Forward P/E | 50.02 | 19.72● |
| P/S ratio | 25.61 | 5.10● |
| P/B ratio | 57.52 | 8.32● |
| PEG ratio | 0.06● | 3.96 |
| EV / EBITDA | 57.56 | 16.71● |
| FCF yield | 1.20% | 5.51%● |
Profitability
| Metric | KLAC | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 61.75%● | 54.80% |
| Operating margin | 42.08%● | 25.52% |
| Net margin | 35.66%● | 22.31% |
| ROE | 80.11%● | 36.38% |
| ROIC | 38.11%● | 13.15% |
Dividends
| Metric | KLAC | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 3.14%● | 1.70% |
| Payout ratio | 262.04% | 70.95% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | KLAC | QCOM |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 15.21%● | 8.63% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 31.52%● | 5.74% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 15.49%● | 9.39% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 67.17%● | 11.87% |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, KLAC or QCOM?
- It depends on your goal. value: QCOM (lower P/E); growth: KLAC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: KLAC (higher dividend yield); quality: KLAC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, KLAC leads 11 to 6.
- Is KLAC or QCOM cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, QCOM is cheaper: KLAC trades at a 72.05 P/E and QCOM at 22.72.
- Which has grown faster, KLAC or QCOM?
- Over the past five years, KLAC grew revenue faster — KLAC at a 15.21% CAGR versus QCOM at 8.63%.
- Does KLAC or QCOM pay a bigger dividend?
- KLAC yields 3.14% and QCOM yields 1.70% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is KLAC or QCOM more profitable?
- KLAC runs the higher net margin — KLAC at 35.66% versus QCOM at 22.31%.
- Which has been the better investment, KLAC or QCOM?
- Over the past 10-year, KLAC delivered the higher annualized total return — KLAC at 67.44% versus QCOM at 17.83%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
KLA P/E ratioQUALCOMM P/E ratioKLA dividend yieldQUALCOMM dividend yieldKLA ROEQUALCOMM ROEKLA operating marginQUALCOMM operating marginKLA revenue growthQUALCOMM revenue growthKLA free cash flowQUALCOMM free cash flow
KLA & QUALCOMM 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 15, 2026.