New York, Feb 6, 2026, 19:14 EST — After-hours
- KLA shares jumped 8.4% at Friday’s close, clawing back some ground after a volatile week.
- Chip-equipment stocks caught a lift as risk appetite returned to the market.
- U.S. jobs and inflation figures coming up next week will put rate-sensitive tech stocks to the test.
KLA Corp finished Friday up 8.4%, closing at $1,442.95. The stock bounced around, trading between $1,340.02 and $1,449.00 over the session.
KLA shares climbed, landing it near the top of chip equipment gainers as investors picked up tech names linked to data-center demand—this after the broader market logged three losing sessions in a row. 1
KLA’s customers lock in capital spending plans well ahead of time, making the stock a kind of stand-in for bets on the next phase of artificial-intelligence infrastructure. The company’s gear — process-control tools, inspection systems, metrology hardware — helps chipmakers catch defects and improve yields. Orders, as a result, usually arrive on the heels of new fabrication builds.
Amazon’s outlook for a big jump in AI spending changed the mood on Friday, though shares slipped. “This trade has been volatile,” said Ross Mayfield, investment strategy analyst at Baird, noting buyers moved back in after dips. 1
KLA’s board, according to a U.S. securities filing Thursday, approved a quarterly cash dividend of $1.90 per share. That payout is scheduled for March 3, with the cutoff for shareholders of record set at Feb. 17. 2
Other names in the sector saw steep gains Friday. Applied Materials popped 6.1%, while Lam Research jumped 8.3%, market data showed. 3
But the rally unfolded while the AI sector was whipsawing, investors wrestling with just how fast all that spending will translate into earnings—and whether the upbeat narrative is already baked into valuations. Equipment names can take a hit if large buyers start sounding less eager or if there’s even a whisper of tool shipments getting pushed back.
Next week could be a real test for the macro picture. The January U.S. jobs report, postponed by the shutdown, is now slated for Feb. 11. Then, two days later, the January CPI figures drop at 8:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 13. 4
With KLA, eyes turn to whether Friday’s action carries over when markets open Monday, and if the upcoming Feb. 17 dividend record date manages to pull in extra buyers before then.
