KLAC vs LRCX: AI Stock Comparison

KLA Corporation vs Lam Research Corporation: AI exposure, key metrics, next earnings dates, upcoming catalysts and risks — every number linked to its source.

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Tie: both score 3/5 on AI exposure under our rubric; compare the catalysts and risks below. The score measures how directly each business is tied to AI, not which stock to buy.
⏱ Next catalyst: Not enough tracked catalysts to compare.
$KLAC
KLA Corporation
Inspection and metrology tools that keep chip yields up.
$LRCX
Lam Research Corporation
Etch and deposition tools, heavy in memory.
AI exposure score⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡ 3/5⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡ 3/5
Shares outstanding1.30B
as of 2026-10-26 · 10-Q cover page · SEC filing
1.25B
as of 2026-10-20 · 10-Q cover page · SEC filing
CategoryMemory & semicapMemory & semicap
Key metrics
Revenue (latest quarter) $4.14B
10-Q period ended 2026-09-30; +29% y/y · SEC filing
Net income $1.55B
Same quarter · SEC filing
Revenue (latest quarter) $8.22B
10-Q period ended 2026-09-27; +54% y/y · SEC filing
Gross margin 52.3%
Gross profit / revenue, same quarter · SEC filing
Operating income $3.28B
Same quarter; 40% operating margin · SEC filing
Next earningsNot yet announced / not on our calendarNot yet announced / not on our calendar
Next catalystNot yet announced / not on our calendarNot yet announced / not on our calendar
Upcoming catalystsNone trackedNone tracked
Most recent reported
Oct 28, 2026
KLA Corporation reports quarterly results · source
Process-control tools; read on leading-edge and advanced-packaging spend. Revenue: $4.14B (+29% y/y), per 10-Q.
Oct 21, 2026
Lam Research Corporation reports quarterly results · source
Wafer-fab equipment demand is an upstream read on AI chip capacity. Revenue: $8.22B (+54% y/y), per 10-Q.
Key risks
  • “We operate in industries that have historically been cyclical, including the semiconductor industry, and customer purchasing decisions are highly dependent on local and global economic…” — 10-K risk factor (filed 2026-08-06) · source
  • “Ongoing changes in the technology industry, including AI-related developments and changes in semiconductor manufacturing processes, customer investment patterns and end-market demand, could…” — 10-K risk factor (filed 2026-08-06) · source
  • “Future Declines in the Semiconductor Industry, and the Overall World Economic Conditions on Which It Is Significantly Dependent, Could Have a Material Adverse Impact on Our Results of…” — 10-K risk factor (filed 2026-08-07) · source
  • “Strategic Alliances and Customer Consolidation May Have Negative Effects on Our Business” — 10-K risk factor (filed 2026-08-07) · source
AI angle

KLA's process-control tools become more critical as AI chips move to complex nodes and advanced packaging. Its demand follows foundry and memory capex cycles.

Lam Research's tools are central to 3D NAND, DRAM and advanced packaging. AI-driven memory and foundry spending is the tailwind; China export policy and industry cycles are the counterweights.

Full analysis: $KLAC →Full analysis: $LRCX →

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Deep dives: KLAC next earnings & catalysts · LRCX next earnings & catalysts · AI earnings this week