KLA Corporation (KLAC) vs Western Digital Corporation (WDC)
KLAC leads on 13 of 17 compared metrics.
A side-by-side comparison of KLA Corporation and Western Digital Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of June 16, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).
Total return — KLAC vs WDC
growth of $100 · last 30yKLAC +20385.7%WDC +7526.9%KLAC compounded faster
KLAC WDC
KLAC vs WDC: by the numbers
- •KLAC is the larger company ($319.50B vs $234.76B market cap).
- •KLAC trades at the lower earnings multiple (7.26 vs 39.88 P/E).
- •WDC converts more revenue to profit (55.07% vs 35.66% net margin).
- •KLAC grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.21% vs -6.28% CAGR).
- •KLAC pays the higher dividend yield (0.31% vs 0.07%).
Which is better, KLAC or WDC?
Metric tally: KLAC 13 · WDC 4It depends on what you're optimizing for:
ValueKLAC(lower P/E)
GrowthKLAC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityKLAC(higher ROIC)
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | KLAC | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 7.26● | 39.88 |
| Forward P/E | 50.32 | 38.27● |
| P/S ratio | 2.58● | 21.74 |
| P/B ratio | 5.79● | 26.46 |
| PEG ratio | 0.06● | 3.09 |
| EV / EBITDA | 6.46● | 33.93 |
| FCF yield | 11.88%● | 1.13% |
Profitability
| Metric | KLAC | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 61.75%● | 45.43% |
| Operating margin | 42.08%● | 30.78% |
| Net margin | 35.66% | 55.07%● |
| ROE | 80.11%● | 67.00% |
| ROIC | 38.11%● | 21.53% |
Dividends
| Metric | KLAC | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 0.31%● | 0.07% |
| Payout ratio | 2.62% | 9.42% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | KLAC | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 15.21%● | -6.28% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 31.52%● | 12.92% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | 15.49% | 78.08%● |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 52.01% | 65.36%● |
Frequently asked
- Which is better, KLAC or WDC?
- It depends on your goal. value: KLAC (lower P/E); growth: KLAC (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); quality: KLAC (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, KLAC leads 13 to 4.
- Is KLAC or WDC cheaper?
- On trailing earnings, KLAC is cheaper: KLAC trades at a 7.26 P/E and WDC at 39.88.
- Which has grown faster, KLAC or WDC?
- Over the past five years, KLAC grew revenue faster — KLAC at a 15.21% CAGR versus WDC at -6.28%.
- Does KLAC or WDC pay a bigger dividend?
- KLAC yields 0.31% and WDC yields 0.07% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is KLAC or WDC more profitable?
- WDC runs the higher net margin — KLAC at 35.66% versus WDC at 55.07%.
- Which has been the better investment, KLAC or WDC?
- Over the past 10-year, KLAC delivered the higher annualized total return — KLAC at 44.42% versus WDC at 36.43%. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
KLA P/E ratioWestern Digital P/E ratioKLA dividend yieldWestern Digital dividend yieldKLA ROEWestern Digital ROEKLA operating marginWestern Digital operating marginKLA revenue growthWestern Digital revenue growthKLA free cash flowWestern Digital free cash flow
KLA & Western Digital 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 16, 2026.