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).

Compare

Total return — KLAC vs QCOM

growth of $100 · last 30y
KLAC +21289.9%QCOM +7150.7%KLAC compounded faster
05k10k15k20kStart $100200120062011201620212026$21,390$7,251
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 6

It 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

MetricKLACQCOM
P/E ratio72.0522.72
Forward P/E50.0219.72
P/S ratio25.615.10
P/B ratio57.528.32
PEG ratio0.063.96
EV / EBITDA57.5616.71
FCF yield1.20%5.51%

Profitability

MetricKLACQCOM
Gross margin61.75%54.80%
Operating margin42.08%25.52%
Net margin35.66%22.31%
ROE80.11%36.38%
ROIC38.11%13.15%

Dividends

MetricKLACQCOM
Dividend yield3.14%1.70%
Payout ratio262.04%70.95%

Growth (annualized)

MetricKLACQCOM
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.

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.