WallStSmart

KLA Corporation (KLAC)vsCharles Schwab Corp (SCHW)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Charles Schwab Corp generates 88% more annual revenue ($23.92B vs $12.74B). SCHW leads profitability with a 37.0% profit margin vs 35.8%. SCHW appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.12. SCHW earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 75/100 (B+).

KLAC

Strong Buy

70

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 7.3Profit: 10.0Value: 8.7Quality: 8.5
Piotroski: 6/9Altman Z: 2.70

SCHW

Strong Buy

75

out of 100

Grade: B+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 8.0Value: 10.0Quality: 8.3
Piotroski: 6/9
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

KLACUndervalued (+3.9%)

Margin of Safety

+3.9%

Fair Value

$1605.71

Current Price

$1543.82

$61.89 discount

UndervaluedFair: $1605.71Overvalued
SCHWUndervalued (+56.0%)

Margin of Safety

+56.0%

Fair Value

$217.62

Current Price

$95.68

$121.94 discount

UndervaluedFair: $217.62Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

KLAC6 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Market CapQuality
$205.79B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
100.7%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 101 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
35.8%10/10

Keeps 36 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
41.3%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 41.3%

EPS GrowthGrowth
40.9%8/10

Earnings expanding 40.9% YoY

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.26B8/10

Generating 1.3B in free cash flow

SCHW6 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Profit MarginProfitability
37.0%10/10

Keeps 37 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
49.7%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 49.7%

Debt/EquityHealth
0.0910/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Market CapQuality
$169.34B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Revenue GrowthGrowth
18.9%8/10

18.9% revenue growth

EPS GrowthGrowth
41.1%8/10

Earnings expanding 41.1% YoY

Areas to Watch

KLAC4 concerns · Avg: 2.8/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.664/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Debt/EquityHealth
1.153/10

Elevated debt levels

P/E RatioValuation
45.6x2/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
37.0x2/10

Trading at 37.0x book value

SCHW1 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
Free Cash FlowQuality
$-921.00M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : KLAC

The strongest argument for KLAC centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 35.8% and operating margin at 41.3%.

Bull Case : SCHW

The strongest argument for SCHW centers on Profit Margin, Operating Margin, Debt/Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 37.0% and operating margin at 49.7%. Revenue growth of 18.9% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : KLAC

The primary concerns for KLAC are PEG Ratio, Debt/Equity, P/E Ratio. A P/E of 45.6x leaves little room for execution misses.

Bear Case : SCHW

The primary concerns for SCHW are Free Cash Flow.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

KLAC profiles as a mature stock while SCHW is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

KLAC carries more volatility with a beta of 1.45 — expect wider price swings.

SCHW is growing revenue faster at 18.9% — sustainability is the question.

KLAC generates stronger free cash flow (1.3B), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

SCHW scores higher overall (75/100 vs 70/100), backed by strong 37.0% margins and 18.9% 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.

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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Charles Schwab Corp

FINANCIAL SERVICES · CAPITAL MARKETS · USA

The Charles Schwab Corporation is an American multinational financial services company. It offers banking, commercial banking, an electronic trading platform, and wealth management advisory services to both retail and institutional clients.

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