WallStSmart

KLA Corporation (KLAC)vsUnion Pacific Corporation (UNP)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Union Pacific Corporation generates 92% more annual revenue ($24.51B vs $12.74B). KLAC leads profitability with a 35.8% profit margin vs 29.1%. KLAC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.66. KLAC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 70/100 (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

UNP

Buy

60

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 3.3Profit: 9.5Value: 5.3Quality: 5.0
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
UNPOvervalued (-13.1%)

Margin of Safety

-13.1%

Fair Value

$211.98

Current Price

$241.33

$29.35 premium

UndervaluedFair: $211.98Overvalued

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

UNP5 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
Return on EquityProfitability
40.4%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 40 in profit

Operating MarginProfitability
40.9%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 40.9%

Market CapQuality
$142.22B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Profit MarginProfitability
29.1%9/10

Keeps 29 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Free Cash FlowQuality
$1.23B8/10

Generating 1.2B in free cash flow

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

UNP2 concerns · Avg: 2.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.692/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-0.6%2/10

Revenue declined 0.6%

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 : UNP

The strongest argument for UNP centers on Return on Equity, Operating Margin, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 29.1% and operating margin at 40.9%.

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 : UNP

The primary concerns for UNP are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

KLAC profiles as a mature stock while UNP is a declining play — different risk/reward profiles.

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

KLAC is growing revenue faster at 7.2% — sustainability is the question.

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

Bottom Line

KLAC scores higher overall (70/100 vs 60/100), backed by strong 35.8% margins. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "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.

Visit Website →

Union Pacific Corporation

INDUSTRIALS · RAILROADS · USA

The Union Pacific Corporation (Union Pacific) is a publicly traded railroad holding company. It was incorporated in Utah in 1969 and is headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. It is the parent company of the current, Delaware-registered, form of the Union Pacific Railroad.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?