PDFS
PDF Solutions, Inc.
Software - Application
Market Cap$1.90B
5Y Perf.+179.6%
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Stock Comparison
PDFS vs KLAC
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
KLAC
KLA Corporation
Semiconductors
Market Cap$231.68B
5Y Perf.+902.1%
PDFS vs KLAC — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | PDFS | KLAC |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Software - Application | Semiconductors |
| Market Cap | $1.90B | $231.68B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $231M | $13.10B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $7M | $4.67B |
| Gross Margin | 72.5% | 61.8% |
| Operating Margin | 6.8% | 42.1% |
| Forward P/E | 42.7x | 47.9x |
| Total Debt | $77M | $6.09B |
| Cash & Equiv. | $42M | $2.08B |
PDFS vs KLAC — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
PDFS
KLAC
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| PDF Solutions, Inc. (PDFS) | 100 | 279.6 | +179.6% |
| KLA Corporation (KLAC) | 100 | 1002.1 | +902.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: PDFS vs KLAC
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: KLAC leads in 6 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. PDF Solutions, Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
PDFS
PDF Solutions, Inc.
The Value Play
PDFS is the clearest fit if your priority is value.
- Lower P/E (42.7x vs 47.9x)
Best for: value
KLAC
KLA Corporation
The Income Pick
KLAC carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 8 yrs, beta 2.20, yield 0.4%
- Rev growth 23.9%, EPS growth 49.8%, 3Y rev CAGR 9.7%
- 25.1% 10Y total return vs PDFS's 269.5%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | KLAC | 23.9% revenue growth vs PDFS's 22.0% |
| Value | PDFS | Lower P/E (42.7x vs 47.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | KLAC | 35.7% margin vs PDFS's 3.1% |
| Stability / Safety | KLAC | Beta 2.20 vs PDFS's 2.21 |
| Dividends | KLAC | 0.4% yield; 8-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | KLAC | +155.0% vs PDFS's +149.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | KLAC | 28.3% ROA vs PDFS's 1.7%, ROIC 46.5% vs 1.9% |
PDFS vs KLAC — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
PDFS vs KLAC — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLKLACLAGGINGPDFS
PDFSPDF Solutions, Inc.
1leads
KLACKLA Corporation
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs PDFSMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
PDFS4/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
KLAC6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
KLAC5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
KLAC1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — PDFS and KLAC each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KLAC is the larger business by revenue, generating $13.1B annually — 56.6x PDFS's $231M. KLAC is the more profitable business, keeping 35.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to PDFS's 3.1%. On growth, PDFS holds the edge at +25.9% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | PDFSPDF Solutions, In… | KLACKLA Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $231M | $13.1B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $23M | $5.9B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $7M | $4.7B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$18M | $4.0B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +72.5% | +61.8% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +6.8% | +42.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +3.1% | +35.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -7.8% | +30.7% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +25.9% | +11.5% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +2.5% | +11.8% |
Evenly matched — PDFS and KLAC each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
PDFS leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, KLAC's 41.8x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than PDFS's 112.7x.
| Metric | PDFSPDF Solutions, In… | KLACKLA Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.9B | $231.7B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.9B | $235.7B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -2926.38x | 58.06x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 42.68x | 47.92x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 1.84x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 112.71x | 41.82x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 8.69x | 19.06x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 6.92x | 50.26x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 61.92x |
PDFS leads this category, winning 4 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KLAC leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KLAC delivers a 89.1% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $89 in annual profit, vs $3 for PDFS. PDFS carries lower financial leverage with a 0.28x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to KLAC's 1.30x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), KLAC scores 9/9 vs PDFS's 3/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | PDFSPDF Solutions, In… | KLACKLA Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +2.7% | +89.1% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +1.7% | +28.3% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +1.9% | +46.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +1.9% | +46.1% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 3 | 9 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.28x | 1.30x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $34M | $4.0B |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $42M | $2.1B |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $77M | $6.1B |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 3.85x | 19.38x |
KLAC leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
KLAC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in KLAC five years ago would be worth $56,042 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $24,987 for PDFS. Over the past 12 months, KLAC leads with a +155.0% total return vs PDFS's +149.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors KLAC at 66.9% vs PDFS's 7.1% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | PDFSPDF Solutions, In… | KLACKLA Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | +61.4% | +38.5% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +149.7% | +155.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +23.0% | +364.8% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +149.9% | +460.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +269.5% | +2511.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +7.1% | +66.9% |
KLAC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — PDFS and KLAC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
KLAC is the less volatile stock with a 2.20 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than PDFS's 2.21 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. PDFS currently trades 94.6% from its 52-week high vs KLAC's 90.9% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | PDFSPDF Solutions, In… | KLACKLA Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.21x | 2.20x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $50.44 | $1939.36 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $17.35 | $675.27 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +94.6% | +90.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 70.3 | 59.1 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 403K | 971K |
Evenly matched — PDFS and KLAC each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
KLAC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates PDFS as "Buy" and KLAC as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 3.2% upside for KLAC (target: $1819) vs 0.6% for PDFS (target: $48). KLAC is the only dividend payer here at 0.38% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | PDFSPDF Solutions, In… | KLACKLA Corporation |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $48.00 | $1819.38 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 5 | 44 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.4% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 8 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $6.76 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.0% | +0.9% |
KLAC leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
KLAC leads in 3 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Total Returns). PDFS leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
Best OverallKLA Corporation (KLAC)Leads 3 of 6 categories
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PDFS vs KLAC: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is PDFS or KLAC a better buy right now?
For growth investors, KLA Corporation (KLAC) is the stronger pick with 23.
9% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 22. 0% for PDF Solutions, Inc. (PDFS). KLA Corporation (KLAC) offers the better valuation at 58. 1x trailing P/E (47. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate PDF Solutions, Inc. (PDFS) a "Buy" — based on 5 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — PDFS or KLAC?
On forward P/E, PDF Solutions, Inc.
is actually cheaper at 42. 7x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — PDFS or KLAC?
Over the past 5 years, KLA Corporation (KLAC) delivered a total return of +460.
4%, compared to +149. 9% for PDF Solutions, Inc. (PDFS). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: KLAC returned +25. 1% versus PDFS's +269. 5%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — PDFS or KLAC?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), KLA Corporation (KLAC) is the lower-risk stock at 2.
20β versus PDF Solutions, Inc. 's 2. 21β — meaning PDFS is approximately 0% more volatile than KLAC relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, PDF Solutions, Inc. (PDFS) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 28% versus 130% for KLA Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — PDFS or KLAC?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), KLA Corporation (KLAC) is pulling ahead at 23.
9% versus 22. 0% for PDF Solutions, Inc. (PDFS). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: KLA Corporation grew EPS 49. 8% year-over-year, compared to -116. 3% for PDF Solutions, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, PDFS leads at 13. 8% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — PDFS or KLAC?
KLA Corporation (KLAC) is the more profitable company, earning 33.
4% net margin versus -0. 3% for PDF Solutions, Inc. — meaning it keeps 33. 4% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: KLAC leads at 43. 1% versus 2. 7% for PDFS. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — PDFS leads at 74. 0%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is PDFS or KLAC more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, PDF Solutions, Inc.
(PDFS) trades at 42. 7x forward P/E versus 47. 9x for KLA Corporation — 5. 2x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for KLAC: 3. 2% to $1819. 38.
08Which pays a better dividend — PDFS or KLAC?
In this comparison, KLAC (0.
4% yield) pays a dividend. PDFS does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is PDFS or KLAC better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, PDF Solutions, Inc.
(PDFS) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (+269. 5% 10Y return). KLA Corporation (KLAC) carries a higher beta of 2. 20 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (PDFS: +269. 5%, KLAC: +25. 1%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between PDFS and KLAC?
Both stocks operate in the Technology sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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(PDFS: 25.9% · KLAC: 11.5%)Net Margin>
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