New York, January 23, 2026, 13:22 EST — Regular session
- KLA shares were little changed near $1,500 after an early dip of more than 3%
- Intel’s sharp slide kept pressure on chip-related names, including toolmakers
- Focus shifts to KLA’s Jan. 29 results and what it says about customer spending
KLA Corp shares were little changed at $1,499.58 in early afternoon trading, after dipping as much as 3.2% earlier in the session. The stock ranged from $1,452.01 to $1,509.45.
The chipmaking equipment supplier reports fiscal second-quarter results on Jan. 29 after the U.S. market close, with an earnings call scheduled for 2 p.m. PT. Investors are looking for fresh signals on capital spending — the money chipmakers put into new plants and tools. (KLA Corporation)
That backdrop tightened after Intel warned late Thursday that it struggled to meet demand for server chips used in AI data centers and forecast quarterly revenue and profit below estimates. Chief executive Lip-Bu Tan told analysts, “In the short term, I’m disappointed that we are not able to fully meet the demand,” while Intel shares were down about 17% on Friday. (Reuters)
Other chip toolmakers were mixed. Applied Materials rose about 0.6%, while Lam Research fell roughly 1.3% and ASML slid about 1.0%.
KLA slipped 1.3% to $1,500.00 in Thursday’s session and ended about 5% below its 52-week high of $1,581.34 hit on Jan. 16, MarketWatch data showed. (MarketWatch)
Analyst targets have been moving as the stock has climbed. Deutsche Bank raised its price target to $1,560 from $1,250 on Jan. 21, while maintaining a hold rating, Benzinga data showed. (Benzinga)
KLA’s most recent quarterly outlook, issued with its October results, called for second-quarter revenue of about $3.225 billion plus or minus $150 million and non-GAAP earnings of about $8.70 per share plus or minus 78 cents. (KLA Corporation)
KLA sells inspection and measurement tools that help chipmakers spot defects and keep their manufacturing steps on track. As chips get more complex, those checks tend to multiply, which can support demand even when parts of the chip cycle soften.
But the setup carries risk. If KLA’s outlook disappoints or customers start trimming factory spending after Intel’s warning, the group can reprice fast — and Friday’s whipsaw in KLA was a reminder.
Next up is Jan. 29, when KLA reports after the bell and updates its outlook, giving the market a read on how chipmakers are spending heading into 2026.
