MetaCap

AXT (AXTI) vs KLA (KLAC)

Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.

Summary

AXT (AXTI) has outperformed KLA (KLAC) over the past year, gaining 1249.5% versus a gain of 85.1%. Over five years, AXTI leads with a +777.1% price change compared with +497.8% for KLAC. KLA is the larger company by market cap ($256.72 billion vs $4.70 billion), about 54.6 times the size.

On valuation, KLA trades at a lower forward P/E (29.3x vs 31.8x for AXT). KLA pays a dividend yielding 0.41%, while AXT does not currently pay one. KLA converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 35.6% versus -24.1%.

Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology

Relative performance

AXTI+1249.53%KLAC+85.13%
+2681%+1264%-153%
Oct 8, 20251 yearOct 8, 2026
AXTI+789.08%KLAC+503.34%
+1734%+781%-172%
Oct 4, 20215 yearsOct 5, 2026

Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.

Head-to-head

AXTI versus KLAC key metrics
MetricAXTIKLAC
Share price$71.66$196.72
Market cap$4.70B$256.72B
1-day change-10.19%-0.06%
YTD return+338.29%+61.90%
1-year return+1249.53%+85.13%
5-year return+777.11%+497.75%
P/E ratio (TTM)—53.75
Forward P/E31.8529.34
EPS (TTM)$0.04$3.66
Dividend yield0.00%0.41%
Annual dividend$0.00$0.80
Revenue (latest FY)$88.33M$13.58B
Revenue growth (YoY)-11.11%+11.71%
Net income (latest FY)$-21.26M$4.83B
Gross margin12.73%61.30%
Operating margin-24.88%—
Net margin-24.07%35.57%
52-week high$143.16$307.37
52-week low$4.00$98.10
Distance from 52-week high-49.94%-36.00%
Analyst consensusnonebuy
Avg. price target upside+27.83%+18.33%
Average volume9.83M10.08M
Shares outstanding65.57M1.31B
Employees1,54117,000
SectorTechnologyTechnology
IndustrySemiconductor Equipment & MaterialsSemiconductor Equipment & Materials

Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.

Key differences

  • KLA is about 54.6 times larger than AXT by market value ($256.72B vs $4.70B).
  • AXTI has outperformed KLAC by 1164.4 percentage points over the past year.
  • KLA is more profitable, keeping 35.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus -24.1 cents for AXT.
  • KLA grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+11.71% vs -11.11%).

About AXT

AXTI stock →

AXT, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes compound and single element semiconductor substrates.

Technology · Semiconductor Equipment & Materials · 1,541 employees

About KLA

KLAC stock →

KLA Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides process control and process-enabling solutions for manufacturing wafers, reticles/masks, chemicals/materials, integrated circuits (ICs), packaged ICs, and printed circuit boards. It operates through three segments: Semiconductor Process Control; Specialty Semiconductor Process; and PCB and Component Inspection.

Technology · Semiconductor Equipment & Materials · 17,000 employees

AXTI vs KLAC FAQ

Which is bigger, AXT or KLA?

KLA (KLAC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $256.72B compared with $4.70B for AXT (AXTI).

Which stock has performed better over the past year, AXTI or KLAC?

AXTI returned +1249.53% over the past 12 months, compared with +85.13% for KLAC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.

Which pays a higher dividend, AXT or KLA?

KLA pays a dividend yielding 0.41%, while AXT does not currently pay a regular dividend.

Are AXT and KLA in the same industry?

Yes. Both are classified in the Semiconductor Equipment & Materials industry within the Technology sector.

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