Coherent (COHR) 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
Coherent (COHR) has outperformed KLA (KLAC) over the past year, gaining 159.1% versus a gain of 85.1%. Over five years, KLAC leads with a +497.8% price change compared with +425.3% for COHR. KLA is the larger company by market cap ($255.47 billion vs $59.67 billion), about 4.3 times the size, while Coherent is growing revenue faster (+22.5% vs +11.7%).
On valuation, Coherent trades at a lower forward P/E (21.7x vs 29.2x for KLA). KLA pays a dividend yielding 0.41%, while Coherent does not currently pay one. KLA converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 35.6% versus 11.3%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | COHR | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $304.72 | $195.76 |
| Market cap | $59.67B | $255.47B |
| 1-day change | +0.78% | -0.49% |
| YTD return | +63.81% | +61.90% |
| 1-year return | +159.15% | +85.13% |
| 5-year return | +425.28% | +497.75% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 73.96 | 53.49 |
| Forward P/E | 21.69 | 29.19 |
| EPS (TTM) | $4.12 | $3.66 |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.41% |
| Annual dividend | $0.00 | $0.80 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $7.12B | $13.58B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +22.51% | +11.71% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $805.00M | $4.83B |
| Gross margin | 37.50% | 61.30% |
| Net margin | 11.31% | 35.57% |
| 52-week high | $440.00 | $307.37 |
| 52-week low | $108.19 | $98.10 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -30.75% | -36.31% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +35.38% | +18.91% |
| Average volume | 6.44M | 10.08M |
| Shares outstanding | 195.83M | 1.31B |
| Employees | 51,478 | 17,000 |
| Sector | Technology | Technology |
| Industry | Electronic Components | Electronic Components |
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 4.3 times larger than Coherent by market value ($255.47B vs $59.67B).
- COHR has outperformed KLAC by 74.0 percentage points over the past year.
- Coherent trades at a higher earnings multiple (74.0x vs 53.5x trailing P/E).
- KLA is more profitable, keeping 35.6 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 11.3 cents for Coherent.
- Coherent grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+22.51% vs +11.71%).
About Coherent
COHR stock →Coherent Corp. develops, manufactures, and markets lasers, transceivers, other optical and optoelectronic devices, modules, and systems worldwide.
Technology · Electronic Components · 51,478 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 · Electronic Components · 17,000 employees
COHR vs KLAC FAQ
Which is bigger, Coherent or KLA?
KLA (KLAC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $255.47B compared with $59.67B for Coherent (COHR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, COHR or KLAC?
COHR returned +159.15% over the past 12 months, compared with +85.13% for KLAC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, COHR or KLAC?
KLAC has the lower trailing P/E at 53.5, versus 74.0 for COHR. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Coherent or KLA?
KLA pays a dividend yielding 0.41%, while Coherent does not currently pay a regular dividend.
Are Coherent and KLA in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Electronic Components industry within the Technology sector.