KLA Co. (NASDAQ:KLAC) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of KLA Co. (NASDAQ:KLAC) have received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the twenty-two analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Eight research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fourteen have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year target price among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $805.29.

A number of brokerages have recently weighed in on KLAC. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on KLA in a report on Monday, May 13th. They set a “buy” rating and a $820.00 price target on the stock. StockNews.com upgraded KLA from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, August 1st. Citigroup lowered their price target on KLA from $990.00 to $960.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Monday. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their price target on KLA from $760.00 to $875.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, July 16th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of KLA in a report on Friday, April 26th.

KLA Stock Up 1.1 %

Shares of KLAC stock opened at $703.48 on Thursday. KLA has a 1 year low of $440.15 and a 1 year high of $896.32. The stock has a market cap of $94.72 billion, a PE ratio of 36.85, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 1.27. The business’s fifty day moving average is $808.65 and its 200-day moving average is $725.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 1.50 and a current ratio of 2.15.

KLA (NASDAQ:KLAC) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 24th. The semiconductor company reported $6.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $6.15 by $0.45. KLA had a return on equity of 103.50% and a net margin of 28.15%. The company had revenue of $2.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.52 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $5.40 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts expect that KLA will post 29.09 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

KLA Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 3rd. Investors of record on Thursday, August 15th will be given a dividend of $1.45 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 15th. This represents a $5.80 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.82%. KLA’s dividend payout ratio is presently 30.38%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Ahmad A. Khan sold 7,833 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $760.00, for a total transaction of $5,953,080.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 32,105 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $24,399,800. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other KLA news, insider Ahmad A. Khan sold 7,833 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $760.00, for a total value of $5,953,080.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 32,105 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $24,399,800. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Brian Lorig sold 44 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $819.40, for a total value of $36,053.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 14,211 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $11,644,493.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last 90 days, insiders sold 8,896 shares of company stock valued at $6,792,697. Insiders own 0.12% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On KLA

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its stake in shares of KLA by 9.1% in the 4th quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 4,137 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $2,405,000 after purchasing an additional 346 shares during the period. AdvisorNet Financial Inc grew its stake in shares of KLA by 29.3% in the 4th quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 75 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 17 shares during the period. DAVENPORT & Co LLC grew its stake in shares of KLA by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 4,523 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $2,629,000 after purchasing an additional 155 shares during the period. Trust Point Inc. bought a new stake in shares of KLA in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $360,000. Finally, Ballentine Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of KLA by 13.4% in the 4th quarter. Ballentine Partners LLC now owns 1,236 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $718,000 after purchasing an additional 146 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.65% of the company’s stock.

KLA Company Profile

KLA Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets process control, process-enabling, and yield management solutions for the semiconductor and related electronics industries worldwide. It operates through three segments: Semiconductor Process Control; Specialty Semiconductor Process; and PCB, Display and Component Inspection.