KLA(US:KLAC) ZACKS·2026-01-30 17:51Core Insights - KLA Corporation (KLAC) reported second-quarter fiscal 2026 non-GAAP earnings of $8.85 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.36% and reflecting a year-over-year increase of 7.9% [1][8] - Revenues for the quarter rose 7.2% year over year to $3.3 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.02% [1][8] - Despite strong earnings and revenue growth, KLAC shares fell 7.7% in pre-market trading [1] Segment Performance - Semiconductor Process Control revenues, which constitute 91.1% of total revenues, increased by 9% year over year and 4% sequentially to $3 billion [2] - Foundry & Logic and Memory segments accounted for approximately 60% and 40% of Semiconductor Process Control revenues, respectively [2] - Specialty Semiconductor Process revenues decreased by 12.4% year over year to $140 million but increased 17% sequentially [2] Product and Revenue Breakdown - Product revenues, making up 76.2% of total revenues, grew by 4.2% year over year to $2.51 billion, while service revenues increased by 18% year over year and 6% sequentially to $786 million [4] - Wafer Inspection revenues rose by 1% year over year and 2% sequentially to $1.57 billion, while Patterning revenues surged by 31% year over year and 4% sequentially to $696 million [5] - Taiwan and China were the largest contributors to revenue, accounting for 26% and 30%, respectively [5] Operating Metrics - The non-GAAP gross margin for the second quarter was 62.6%, exceeding the midpoint of the guidance range by 60 basis points [6] - Research and development (R&D) expenses increased by 10.9% year over year to $383.9 million, representing 11.6% of revenues, a decrease of 40 basis points year over year [6] - Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses rose by 4.8% year over year to $279.9 million, accounting for 8.5% of revenues, a decrease of 20 basis points year over year [7] Financial Position - As of December 31, 2025, cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaled $5.20 billion, up from $4.68 billion as of September 30, 2025 [10] - Long-term debt remained unchanged at $5.88 billion [10] - Cash flow from operating activities was $1.36 billion, compared to $1.16 billion in the previous quarter, with free cash flow at $1.26 billion [10] Shareholder Returns - In the fiscal second quarter, KLAC repurchased $548 million worth of shares and paid $250 million in dividends [11] Guidance - For the third quarter of fiscal 2026, KLAC expects revenues of $3.35 billion, plus or minus $150 million, and non-GAAP earnings of $9.08 per share, plus or minus 78 cents [12] - The company anticipates a non-GAAP gross margin of 61.75%, plus or minus 1%, with operating expenses expected to be around $645 million [12]