KLA stock returned 73.6% over the twelve months to October 2026, driven by semiconductor makers' spending on chips for artificial intelligence. The earliest signal emerged on 24 July 2024, when executives noted the business had transitioned from stabilising to growing again. Financial results validated this claim. Revenue growth accelerated from 9.1% in fiscal Q4 2024 to 29.8% in fiscal Q3 2025, whilst operating margin widened from 38.0% to 42.5%. The connection to artificial intelligence became public on 30 April 2025, when KLA forecast revenue above Wall Street estimates. The stock run occurred whilst top-line expansion trailed fiscal 2025's pace. For fiscal Q4 2026, KLA reported record revenue of $3.66 billion, up 15% year-over-year, below the 29.8% growth achieved in fiscal Q3 2025.

Global chip equipment sales are forecast to reach a record $229.5 billion in 2028, according to industry trade group SEMI. Four companies dominate different stages of chipmaking: ASML makes lithography machines that print circuit patterns, Applied Materials and Lam Research produce tools that deposit and carve chip layers, whilst KLA specialises in inspection equipment. ASML holds a monopoly on extreme ultraviolet machines used for advanced chips, capturing roughly a quarter of chipmaker capital spending. Applied Materials trades at about 29 times forward earnings, the cheapest of the four. Lam recently posted its highest gross margin in 20 years. KLA trades at approximately 36 times forward earnings, the priciest valuation in the group. All four companies hold Strong Buy or Buy ratings from analysts.

KLA Corporation reported fourth quarter fiscal 2026 revenues of $3.66 billion, above the midpoint of guidance. GAAP diluted earnings per share came in at $1.04, whilst non-GAAP diluted EPS reached $1.05, both at the upper end of guidance. For the full fiscal year ended 30 June 2026, the semiconductor equipment manufacturer posted revenues of $13.58 billion and GAAP diluted EPS of $3.66. Operating cash flow for the year totalled $4.14 billion, with free cash flow of $3.77 billion. The company returned $3.35 billion to shareholders during fiscal 2026 through dividends and share repurchases. KLA completed a ten-for-one stock split on 11 June 2026. For the first quarter of fiscal 2027, KLA expects revenues of $4.0 billion, plus or minus $200 million, with non-GAAP diluted EPS projected at $1.16, plus or minus $0.10.