KLAC Set to Report Q3 Earnings: What's in the Cards for the Stock?

Core Insights - KLA Corporation is expected to report third-quarter fiscal 2025 results on April 30, with projected revenues of $3 billion, plus/minus $150 million, indicating a year-over-year increase of 27.36% [1] - The company anticipates non-GAAP earnings of $8.05 per share, plus/minus 60 cents, reflecting a year-over-year growth of 53.23% [2] Revenue and Earnings Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenues is pegged at $3.01 billion, which is slightly above KLA's own revenue guidance [1] - The consensus mark for earnings is at $8.06 per share, which has decreased by a penny over the past month [2] Growth Drivers - KLA's advanced packaging portfolio is experiencing momentum due to rising demand for powerful chip systems and complex chip integration, with advanced packaging revenues projected to exceed $800 million in 2025, up from $500 million in 2024 [3] - The company's growth in the wafer fab equipment market is supported by strong investments in leading-edge logic, high-bandwidth memory, and advanced packaging, contributing positively to its performance [4] - Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are driving demand for advanced semiconductors and process control solutions, which are expected to significantly impact KLA's third-quarter performance [5] Services Segment Performance - KLA's Services segment reported $667 million in revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2025, marking its 50th consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth, which is likely to have a positive impact on the upcoming quarter [6] Tax and Regulatory Considerations - KLA anticipates a modest increase in its effective tax rate to approximately 14% in the second half of 2025 due to global tax reforms, which may negatively affect the reported quarter [7] - Ongoing uncertainty regarding the U.S. government's processing of export licenses could pose additional risks to revenue performance [7] Earnings Prediction Model - According to the Zacks model, KLA has an Earnings ESP of +0.23% and a Zacks Rank of 3, indicating a reasonable chance of an earnings beat [8]