New York, February 4, 2026, 20:34 EST — Market closed
- KLA shares dropped 3.6% Wednesday, deepening the recent sell-off in chip-equipment stocks
- Semiconductors took a hit as AI-related tech stocks tumbled, dragging the Philadelphia chip index down 4.4%
- Investors are focusing on upcoming sector earnings and new macro data for clues on market direction
KLA Corp shares dipped once more on Wednesday, ending the day 3.6% lower at $1,307.22 amid a wider slump in tech stocks weighing on chip-equipment firms.
This matters because KLA is often seen as a bellwether for semiconductor capital expenditures — the orders that chipmakers place to expand or upgrade fabs, which in turn drive toolmakers’ sales. When investors grow wary of costly “AI trade” stocks, equipment makers usually take a hit quickly.
Traders are also reevaluating how much spending the industry can maintain through 2026, and how uneven demand could play out between logic chips and memory. KLA’s inspection and measurement tools are right at the heart of this discussion.
Wednesday’s drop extended KLA’s losing streak to four sessions. The shares now sit roughly 22.8% under their 52-week peak of $1,693.35 hit on Jan. 29. Trading volume spiked above the recent average, MarketWatch reports. (MarketWatch)
The wider market dragged stocks lower. Advanced Micro Devices dropped after its quarterly revenue forecast missed expectations, dragging down the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, which slumped 4.4% amid a broader selloff in AI-related tech. “The market is suddenly skeptical and concerned about it,” said Jed Ellerbroek, a portfolio manager at Argent Capital. (Reuters)
Applied Materials slipped 6.6% to close at $297.60, and Lam Research also fell, finishing at $209.78.
The recent sell-off builds on the strain that began after KLA’s earnings last week. The company beat Wall Street estimates, driven by robust demand for chipmaking equipment, yet investors zeroed in on its cautious outlook for future orders. (Reuters)
Let’s break down some jargon. “WFE,” or wafer fab equipment, refers to the hefty investment in tools that build chips. KLA focuses on “process control” gear—inspection and metrology devices that help chipmakers spot defects and gauge features amid increasingly complex production.
However, the selling could spiral. If the market keeps resetting valuations in AI and semis, equipment stocks might slide further without new company-specific news — and any hint that chipmakers are cutting back on spending would only make things worse.
Investors will be keeping an eye on whether the chip index can hold steady in the next session and if the shift away from high-multiple tech continues. Applied Materials is set to release earnings on Feb. 12, providing a key near-term trigger for the equipment sector. KLA’s next report is due April 29. (Appliedmaterials)
