KLA Corporation (KLAC) is in the limelight yet again after Jefferies identified the chip equipment supplier as one of the top picks in the chip space for the year 2026, alongside industry stalwarts Nvidia (NVDA) and Broadcom (AVGO). This recommendation comes at a juncture where investor interest is rotating away from those with cyclical demand in the chip industry towards those with sustainable demand in AI infrastructure development. KLAC stock's movement has been positive, breaking past the $1,220 leve ...

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers various tools to help investors make informed decisions and enhance their confidence in the stock market [1] - The Zacks Style Scores provide a unique rating system for stocks based on value, growth, and momentum characteristics, aiding investors in selecting securities with high potential for market outperformance [2][3] Zacks Style Scores Overview - Stocks are rated from A to F based on their value, growth, and momentum, with higher scores indicating a better chance of outperforming the market [3] - The Style Scores are categorized into four types: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score, each focusing on different investment strategies [3][4][5][6] Value Score - The Value Score identifies attractive and discounted stocks using various financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales, appealing to value investors [3] Growth Score - The Growth Score assesses stocks based on projected and historical earnings, sales, and cash flow, targeting growth investors interested in sustainable long-term growth [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Score helps investors capitalize on price trends by analyzing short-term price changes and earnings estimate revisions [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the three Style Scores to identify stocks with the best value, growth potential, and momentum, serving as a strong indicator alongside the Zacks Rank [6] Zacks Rank Integration - The Zacks Rank utilizes earnings estimate revisions to guide investors in building successful portfolios, with 1 (Strong Buy) stocks historically yielding an average annual return of +23.93% since 1988 [7][8] - To maximize returns, investors should focus on stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B [9] Company Spotlight: KLA Corporation - KLA Corporation, based in San Jose, CA, specializes in process diagnostics and control equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, with a diverse product portfolio [11] - Currently rated 3 (Hold) on the Zacks Rank, KLA has a VGM Score of B and a Growth Style Score of B, indicating a projected year-over-year earnings growth of 6.4% for the current fiscal year [12] - With positive earnings estimate revisions and a history of earnings surprises, KLA is positioned as a potential growth investment [12][13]

Company Overview - KLA Corporation is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specializing in process diagnostics and control (PDC) equipment and yield management solutions for semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) fabrication [11] - The company offers a comprehensive portfolio addressing major PDC subsegments, including photomask inspection, wafer inspection/defect review, and metrology [11] Investment Ratings - KLA is rated 2 (Buy) on the Zacks Rank, indicating a positive outlook for the stock [12] - The company has a VGM Score of B, suggesting a balanced assessment of value, growth, and momentum [12] Performance Metrics - KLA's Momentum Style Score is A, reflecting strong recent performance with shares up 13% over the past four weeks [12] - In the last 60 days, 10 analysts have revised their earnings estimates upwards for fiscal 2025, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate increasing by $0.89 to $32.46 per share [12] - KLA has an average earnings surprise of 5.8%, indicating a history of exceeding earnings expectations [12] Investment Considerations - With a solid Zacks Rank and top-tier Momentum and VGM Style Scores, KLA is recommended for investors' consideration [13]