WallStSmart

KLA Corporation (KLAC)vsMicrosoft Corporation (MSFT)

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Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Microsoft Corporation generates 2288% more annual revenue ($346.44B vs $14.51B). MSFT leads profitability with a 41.2% profit margin vs 36.2%. KLAC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 1.51. KLAC earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 74/100 (B).

KLAC

Strong Buy

74

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.0Profit: 10.0Value: 4.3Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 2.95

MSFT

Strong Buy

72

out of 100

Grade: B

Growth: 8.7Profit: 9.5Value: 5.0Quality: 7.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 2.68

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

KLAC6 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Market CapQuality
$205.75B10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
80.6%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 81 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
36.2%10/10

Keeps 36 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
45.0%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 45.0%

Revenue GrowthGrowth
28.9%8/10

Revenue surging 28.9% year-over-year

EPS GrowthGrowth
39.3%8/10

Earnings expanding 39.3% YoY

MSFT6 strengths · Avg: 9.8/10
Market CapQuality
$3.88T10/10

Mega-cap, among the largest globally

Return on EquityProfitability
30.3%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 30 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
41.2%10/10

Keeps 41 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Operating MarginProfitability
49.8%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 49.8%

Free Cash FlowQuality
$18.63B10/10

Generating 18.6B in free cash flow

Debt/EquityHealth
0.289/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Areas to Watch

KLAC3 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.514/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
39.6x4/10

Premium valuation, high expectations priced in

Price/BookValuation
27.7x2/10

Trading at 27.7x book value

MSFT3 concerns · Avg: 4.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.704/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

P/E RatioValuation
27.2x4/10

Moderate valuation

Price/BookValuation
8.4x4/10

Trading at 8.4x book value

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 36.2% and operating margin at 45.0%. Revenue growth of 28.9% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bull Case : MSFT

The strongest argument for MSFT centers on Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. Profitability is solid with margins at 41.2% and operating margin at 49.8%. Revenue growth of 18.8% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : KLAC

The primary concerns for KLAC are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book.

Bear Case : MSFT

The primary concerns for MSFT are PEG Ratio, P/E Ratio, Price/Book.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

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

KLAC is growing revenue faster at 28.9% — sustainability is the question.

MSFT generates stronger free cash flow (18.6B), providing more financial flexibility.

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

Bottom Line

KLAC scores higher overall (74/100 vs 72/100), backed by strong 36.2% margins and 28.9% 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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Microsoft Corporation

TECHNOLOGY · SOFTWARE - INFRASTRUCTURE · USA

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company which produces computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services. Its best known software products are the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, the Microsoft Office suite, and the Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers. Its flagship hardware products are the Xbox video game consoles and the Microsoft Surface lineup of touchscreen personal computers. Microsoft ranked No. 21 in the 2020 Fortune 500 rankings of the largest United States corporations by total revenue; it was the world's largest software maker by revenue as of 2016. It is considered one of the Big Five companies in the U.S. information technology industry, along with Google, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook.

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