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).

Compare

Total return — KLAC vs WDC

growth of $100 · last 30y
KLAC +20385.7%WDC +7526.9%KLAC compounded faster
05k10k15k20kStart $100200120062011201620212026$20,486$7,627
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 4

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueKLAC(lower P/E)
GrowthKLAC(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
QualityKLAC(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricKLACWDC
P/E ratio7.2639.88
Forward P/E50.3238.27
P/S ratio2.5821.74
P/B ratio5.7926.46
PEG ratio0.063.09
EV / EBITDA6.4633.93
FCF yield11.88%1.13%

Profitability

MetricKLACWDC
Gross margin61.75%45.43%
Operating margin42.08%30.78%
Net margin35.66%55.07%
ROE80.11%67.00%
ROIC38.11%21.53%

Dividends

MetricKLACWDC
Dividend yield0.31%0.07%
Payout ratio2.62%9.42%

Growth (annualized)

MetricKLACWDC
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.

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.