KLA (KLAC) vs Western Digital (WDC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Western Digital (WDC) has outperformed KLA (KLAC) over the past year, gaining 224.6% versus a gain of 85.1%. Over five years, WDC leads with a +839.1% price change compared with +497.8% for KLAC. KLA is the larger company by market cap ($256.04 billion vs $145.99 billion), about 1.8 times the size, while Western Digital is growing revenue faster (+35.7% vs +11.7%).
On valuation, Western Digital trades at a lower forward P/E (12.2x vs 29.3x for KLA). KLA offers the higher dividend yield (0.41% vs 0.13%). Western Digital converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 72.9% versus 35.6%.
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 | KLAC | WDC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $196.20 | $390.01 |
| Market cap | $256.04B | $145.99B |
| 1-day change | -0.26% | -0.84% |
| YTD return | +61.90% | +128.31% |
| 1-year return | +85.13% | +224.57% |
| 5-year return | +497.75% | +839.09% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 53.61 | 14.49 |
| Forward P/E | 29.26 | 12.17 |
| EPS (TTM) | $3.66 | $26.92 |
| Dividend yield | 0.41% | 0.13% |
| Annual dividend | $0.80 | $0.50 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $13.58B | $12.92B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +11.71% | +35.70% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $4.83B | $9.42B |
| Gross margin | 61.30% | 48.85% |
| Operating margin | — | 34.47% |
| Net margin | 35.57% | 72.95% |
| 52-week high | $307.37 | $799.87 |
| 52-week low | $98.10 | $112.52 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -36.17% | -51.24% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.64% | +72.69% |
| Average volume | 10.08M | 7.69M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.31B | 374.32M |
| Employees | 17,000 | 40,000 |
| 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
- WDC has outperformed KLAC by 139.4 percentage points over the past year.
- KLA trades at a higher earnings multiple (53.6x vs 14.5x trailing P/E).
- Western Digital is more profitable, keeping 72.9 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 35.6 cents for KLA.
- Western Digital grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+35.70% vs +11.71%).
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
About Western Digital
WDC stock →Western Digital Corporation engages in the development, manufacture, and sale of data storage devices and solutions based on hard disk drive (HDD) technology in the United States, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The company offers internal HDDs, data center drives, data center platforms, external drives, portable drives, NAS for home and office, and accessories.
Technology · Electronic Components · 40,000 employees
KLAC vs WDC FAQ
Which is bigger, KLA or Western Digital?
KLA (KLAC) is larger, with a market capitalization of $256.04B compared with $145.99B for Western Digital (WDC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, KLAC or WDC?
WDC returned +224.57% 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, KLAC or WDC?
WDC has the lower trailing P/E at 14.5, versus 53.6 for KLAC. 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, KLA or Western Digital?
KLA has the higher yield at 0.41%, compared with 0.13% for Western Digital.
Are KLA and Western Digital in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Electronic Components industry within the Technology sector.