New York, January 29, 2026, 13:12 EST — Regular session underway.
KLA Corp (KLAC) shares climbed $28.33, or 1.7%, reaching $1,655.53 by 1:12 p.m. EST Thursday. The stock swung between $1,608.46 and $1,673.34, with roughly 562,000 shares traded.
KLA is back in focus for traders as chip-tool stocks increasingly hinge on guidance rather than headlines. The company sells process-control tools—equipment used to inspect and measure wafers, helping chipmakers spot defects and boost yields.
This matters because inspection and metrology often signal production ramps at advanced nodes, where spending is seen as essential. Even a slight pause can send shockwaves through the sector.
Lam Research on Wednesday night projected third-quarter revenue of $5.7 billion, with a $300 million margin, beating Wall Street estimates. The chipmaking equipment maker saw a surge in customer orders. CEO Tim Archer noted, “As we head into 2026, our growing product and services lineup is driving the industry’s shift toward smaller, more intricate 3D devices and packaging.” 1
KeyBanc Capital Markets analyst Steve Barger noted, “We thought Lam would need to be extraordinarily bullish to justify recent price action, and it delivered.” That outlook kept the spotlight on peers like KLA as Thursday’s session approached. 2
KLA plans to release its second-quarter fiscal 2026 results during a conference call at 2:00 p.m. PT on Thursday, the company’s investor relations site shows. 3
The earnings calendar on Investing.com forecasts KLA to post $8.79 per share in earnings on roughly $3.24 billion in revenue, with the report scheduled for release after the market closes. 4
Investors will focus on KLA’s commentary around demand across end-markets, particularly in leading-edge logic and memory. They’ll also check if service revenue remains steady. Margins and shifts in customer timing usually fuel the second-day reaction.
KLA focuses on measurement and inspection, unlike some competitors that lean heavily on deposition and etching equipment. Yet, their stocks tend to move together when investors try to gauge the next phase of fab spending.
Expectations are running high following a strong rally in chip-related stocks, and the sector has shown little tolerance for unexpected setbacks. Any cautious signals on customer deliveries or hiccups in important markets could weigh heavily on shares.
KLA reports earnings after Thursday’s U.S. close, with investors focused on the guidance it provides during the call.
