WallStSmart

Applied Materials Inc (AMAT)vsKLA Corporation (KLAC)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Applied Materials Inc generates 122% more annual revenue ($29.02B vs $13.10B). KLAC leads profitability with a 35.7% profit margin vs 29.3%. AMAT appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.89. AMAT earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 72/100 (B).

AMAT

Strong Buy

72

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 6.7Profit: 9.5Value: 3.7Quality: 8.5
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 4.98

KLAC

Strong Buy

66

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 6.0Profit: 10.0Value: 3.0Quality: 7.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 2.70

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

AMAT6 strengths · Avg: 9.7/10
Market CapQuality
$465.09B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
35.6%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 36 in profit

Operating MarginProfitability
31.9%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 31.9%

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
4.9810/10

Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk

Profit MarginProfitability
29.3%9/10

Keeps 29 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Debt/EquityHealth
0.279/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

KLAC4 strengths · Avg: 10.0/10
Market CapQuality
$334.96B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
80.1%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 80 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
35.7%10/10

Keeps 36 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
41.2%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 41.2%

Areas to Watch

AMAT3 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.894/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Price/BookValuation
15.0x4/10

Trading at 15.0x book value

P/E RatioValuation
55.3x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

KLAC4 concerns · Avg: 2.3/10
Debt/EquityHealth
1.053/10

Elevated debt levels

PEG RatioValuation
2.672/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
72.4x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
432.6x2/10

Trading at 432.6x book value

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : AMAT

The strongest argument for AMAT centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Operating Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 29.3% and operating margin at 31.9%. Revenue growth of 11.4% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : KLAC

The strongest argument for KLAC centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 35.7% and operating margin at 41.2%. Revenue growth of 11.5% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : AMAT

The primary concerns for AMAT are PEG Ratio, Price/Book, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 55.3x leaves little room for execution misses.

Bear Case : KLAC

The primary concerns for KLAC are Debt/Equity, PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 72.4x leaves little room for execution misses.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

AMAT carries more volatility with a beta of 1.67 — expect wider price swings.

KLAC is growing revenue faster at 11.5% — sustainability is the question.

KLAC generates stronger free cash flow (622M), providing more financial flexibility.

Monitor SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS industry trends, competitive dynamics, and regulatory changes.

Bottom Line

AMAT scores higher overall (72/100 vs 66/100), backed by strong 29.3% margins and 11.4% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Strong Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Applied Materials Inc

TECHNOLOGY · SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS · USA

Applied Materials, Inc. is an American corporation that supplies equipment, services and software for the manufacture of semiconductor (integrated circuit) chips for electronics, flat panel displays for computers, smartphones and televisions, and solar products. The company also supplies equipment to produce coatings for flexible electronics, packaging and other applications. The company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, in Silicon Valley.

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KLA Corporation

TECHNOLOGY · SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT & MATERIALS · USA

KLA Corporation is a capital equipment company based in Milpitas, California. It supplies process control and yield management systems for the semiconductor industry and other related nanoelectronics industries. The company's products and services are intended for all phases of wafer, reticle, integrated circuit (IC) and packaging production, from research and development to final volume manufacturing.

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