KLA (KLAC) Beneish M-Score: -2.33 (As of Jun. 24, 2026)


KLAC KLA Corp KLAC
86 GF Score
Price $240.48
GF Value $99.87
Valuation Significantly Overvalued
! 6 Warning Signs
View Full Analysis

What is KLA Beneish M-Score?

KLA KLAC -1.64% 86 Beneish M-Score is -2.33 as of Jun. 24, 2026. GuruFocus rates KLAC with a GF Score™ of 86/100 and a GF Value™ of $99.87 (Significantly Overvalued). The stock has 6 warning signs investors should review. Among 987 Semiconductors companies, KLA ranks worse than 56.13% on this metric.

The zones of discrimination for M-Score is as such:

An M-Score of equal or less than -1.78 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.
An M-Score of greater than -1.78 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

Good Sign:

Beneish M-Score -2.33 no higher than -1.78, which implies that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.

The historical rank and industry rank for KLA's Beneish M-Score or its related term are showing as below:

KLAC' s Beneish M-Score Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: -3.12   Med: -2.44   Max: -0.92
Current: -2.33

During the past 13 years, the highest Beneish M-Score of KLA was -0.92. The lowest was -3.12. And the median was -2.44.


KLA Beneish M-Score Historical Data

* Premium members only.

The historical data trend for KLA's Beneish M-Score can be seen below:

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

KLA Beneish M-Score Chart

KLA Annual Data
Trend Jun16 Jun17 Jun18 Jun19 Jun20 Jun21 Jun22 Jun23 Jun24 Jun25
Beneish M-Score
Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only -2.40 -2.27 -2.59 -2.58 -2.20

KLA Quarterly Data
Jun21 Sep21 Dec21 Mar22 Jun22 Sep22 Dec22 Mar23 Jun23 Sep23 Dec23 Mar24 Jun24 Sep24 Dec24 Mar25 Jun25 Sep25 Dec25 Mar26
Beneish M-Score Get a 7-Day Free Trial Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only Premium Member Only -2.19 -2.20 -2.23 -2.58 -2.33

KLAC vs AMAT, LRCX, TER: Beneish M-Score Comparison

For the Semiconductor Equipment & Materials subindustry, KLA's Beneish M-Score, along with its competitors' market caps and Beneish M-Score data, can be viewed below:

* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.


KLA Beneish M-Score vs Semiconductors Industry

For the Semiconductors industry and Technology sector, KLA's Beneish M-Score distribution charts can be found below:

* The bar in red indicates where KLA's Beneish M-Score falls into.


KLAC
86GF Score
KLA Corp KLAC
Beneish M-Score is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
View Full Analysis

KLA Beneish M-Score Calculation

The M-score was created by Professor Messod Beneish. Instead of measuring the bankruptcy risk (Altman Z-Score) or business trend (Piotroski F-Score), M-score can be used to detect the risk of earnings manipulation. This is the original research paper on M-score.

The M-Score Variables:

The M-score of KLA for today is based on a combination of the following eight different indices:

M=-4.84+0.92 * DSRI+0.528 * GMI+0.404 * AQI+0.892 * SGI+0.115 * DEPI
=-4.84+0.92 * 0.942+0.528 * 0.9856+0.404 * 0.912+0.892 * 1.1339+0.115 * 1.1397
-0.172 * SGAI+4.679 * TATA-0.327 * LVGI
-0.172 * 0.9515+4.679 * 0.014114-0.327 * 0.8902
=-2.33

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

This Year (Mar26) TTM:Last Year (Mar25) TTM:
Total Receivables was $2,469 Mil.
Revenue was 3415.078 + 3297.146 + 3209.696 + 3174.741 = $13,097 Mil.
Gross Profit was 2087.406 + 2025.936 + 1966.626 + 1967.455 = $8,047 Mil.
Total Current Assets was $11,351 Mil.
Total Assets was $16,874 Mil.
Property, Plant and Equipment(Net PPE) was $1,696 Mil.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization(DDA) was $392 Mil.
Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) was $1,103 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was $3,752 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was $6,094 Mil.
Net Income was 1200.99 + 1145.682 + 1121.04 + 1202.849 = $4,671 Mil.
Non Operating Income was 79.675 + 37.825 + 43.374 + -130.112 = $31 Mil.
Cash Flow from Operations was 707.451 + 1367.607 + 1161.591 + 1164.991 = $4,402 Mil.
Total Receivables was $2,312 Mil.
Revenue was 3063.029 + 3076.851 + 2841.541 + 2568.735 = $11,550 Mil.
Gross Profit was 1887.34 + 1855.39 + 1694.11 + 1558.184 = $6,995 Mil.
Total Current Assets was $9,945 Mil.
Total Assets was $15,188 Mil.
Property, Plant and Equipment(Net PPE) was $1,467 Mil.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization(DDA) was $399 Mil.
Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) was $1,022 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was $3,910 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was $6,046 Mil.




1. DSRI = Days Sales in Receivables Index

Measured as the ratio of Revenue in Total Receivables in year t to year t-1.

A large increase in DSR could be indicative of revenue inflation.

DSRI=(Receivables_t / Revenue_t) / (Receivables_t-1 / Revenue_t-1)
=(2469.318 / 13096.661) / (2311.738 / 11550.156)
=0.188546 / 0.200148
=0.942

2. GMI = Gross Margin Index

Measured as the ratio of gross margin in year t-1 to gross margin in year t.

Gross margin has deteriorated when this index is above 1. A firm with poorer prospects is more likely to manipulate earnings.

GMI=GrossMargin_t-1 / GrossMargin_t
=(GrossProfit_t-1 / Revenue_t-1) / (GrossProfit_t / Revenue_t)
=(6995.024 / 11550.156) / (8047.423 / 13096.661)
=0.605622 / 0.614464
=0.9856

3. AQI = Asset Quality Index

AQI is the ratio of asset quality in year t to year t-1.

Asset quality is measured as the ratio of non-current assets other than Property, Plant and Equipment to Total Assets.

AQI=(1 - (CurrentAssets_t + PPE_t) / TotalAssets_t) / (1 - (CurrentAssets_t-1 + PPE_t-1) / TotalAssets_t-1)
=(1 - (11350.979 + 1696.071) / 16873.515) / (1 - (9945.019 + 1466.707) / 15188.307)
=0.226773 / 0.248651
=0.912

4. SGI = Sales Growth Index

Ratio of Revenue in year t to sales in year t-1.

Sales growth is not itself a measure of manipulation. However, growth companies are likely to find themselves under pressure to manipulate in order to keep up appearances.

SGI=Sales_t / Sales_t-1
=Revenue_t / Revenue_t-1
=13096.661 / 11550.156
=1.1339

5. DEPI = Depreciation Index

Measured as the ratio of the rate of Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization in year t-1 to the corresponding rate in year t.

DEPI greater than 1 indicates that assets are being depreciated at a slower rate. This suggests that the firm might be revising useful asset life assumptions upwards, or adopting a new method that is income friendly.

DEPI=(Depreciation_t-1 / (Depreciaton_t-1 + PPE_t-1)) / (Depreciation_t / (Depreciaton_t + PPE_t))
=(398.837 / (398.837 + 1466.707)) / (391.624 / (391.624 + 1696.071))
=0.213791 / 0.187587
=1.1397

Note: If the Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization data is not available, we assume that the depreciation rate is constant and set the Depreciation Index to 1.

6. SGAI = Sales, General and Administrative expenses Index

The ratio of Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) to Sales in year t relative to year t-1.

SGA expenses index > 1 means that the company is becoming less efficient in generate sales.

SGAI=(SGA_t / Sales_t) / (SGA_t-1 /Sales_t-1)
=(1102.747 / 13096.661) / (1022.134 / 11550.156)
=0.084201 / 0.088495
=0.9515

7. LVGI = Leverage Index

The ratio of total debt to Total Assets in year t relative to yeat t-1.

An LVGI > 1 indicates an increase in leverage

LVGI=((LTD_t + CurrentLiabilities_t) / TotalAssets_t) / ((LTD_t-1 + CurrentLiabilities_t-1) / TotalAssets_t-1)
=((6094.214 + 3751.555) / 16873.515) / ((6045.705 + 3909.929) / 15188.307)
=0.583504 / 0.65548
=0.8902

8. TATA = Total Accruals to Total Assets

Total accruals calculated as the change in working capital accounts other than cash less depreciation.

TATA=(IncomefromContinuingOperations_t - CashFlowsfromOperations_t) / TotalAssets_t
=(NetIncome_t - NonOperatingIncome_t - CashFlowsfromOperations_t) / TotalAssets_t
=(4670.561 - 30.762 - 4401.64) / 16873.515
=0.014114

An M-Score of equal or less than -1.78 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator. An M-Score of greater than -1.78 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

KLA has a M-score of -2.33 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.

Frequently Asked Questions Learn more about Beneish M-Score →
What does a Beneish M-Score of -2.33 mean?
KLA (KLAC) has a Beneish M-Score of -2.33 as of Jun. 24, 2026. The Beneish M-score measures the likelihood of earnings manipulation. View historical data on KLA and its competitors. According to the industry distribution chart, KLA ranks #554 out of 987 companies in the Semiconductors industry, placing it in the top 56.1%.
Is KLA's Beneish M-Score too high?
KLA's current Beneish M-Score is -2.33. Based on the distribution chart, KLA ranks #554 out of 987 companies in the Semiconductors industry, which is below the industry midpoint. Overall, KLA has a GF Score™ of 86/100 and is considered Significantly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does KLA's Beneish M-Score compare to AMAT and LRCX?
According to the Semiconductors industry distribution chart, KLA ranks #554 out of 987 companies for Beneish M-Score. This places KLA in the lower half of its industry. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Beneish M-Score for a Semiconductors company?
A good Beneish M-Score depends on the Semiconductors industry context. However, Beneish M-Score should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Beneish M-Score mean?
A high Beneish M-Score can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. The Beneish M-score measures the likelihood of earnings manipulation. View historical data on KLA and its competitors. KLA's current Beneish M-Score is -2.33. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is KLA stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, KLA (KLAC) is currently considered Significantly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is $99.87, compared to a current price of $240.48 — trading 140.8% above its estimated fair value. The current Beneish M-Score is -2.33. KLA's overall GF Score™ is 86/100 with 6 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Beneish M-Score calculated?
Beneish M-Score is calculated from a company's financial statements. For KLA (KLAC), the current Beneish M-Score is -2.33 as of Jun. 24, 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.

Is KLA (KLAC) Overvalued in 2026?

Based on GuruFocus' analysis, KLA stock appears to be overvalued. The current stock price of $240.48 is trading 140.8% above its estimated GF Value™ of $99.87. GuruFocus considers KLA to be Significantly Overvalued.

Key valuation signals for KLAC:

  • Beneish M-Score: -2.33
  • GF Value™: $99.87 vs. price of $240.48 (140.8% above fair value)
  • GF Score™: 86/100 with 6 warning signs

No single metric tells the full story. See the KLAC stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.


KLA Business Description

Address One Technology Drive, Milpitas, CA, USA, 95035
KLA is one of the largest semiconductor wafer fabrication equipment, or WFE, manufacturers in the world. It specializes in the market segment of semiconductor process control, wherein machines inspect semiconductor wafers during research and development and manufacturing for defects and verify precise measurements. In this section of the market, KLA holds a majority share. It also has a small exposure to the etch and deposition segments of the WFE market. It counts as top customers the largest chipmakers in the world, including TSMC and Samsung.
86GF Score

Get the complete analysis for KLAC

Beneish M-Score is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

$240.48
Price
$99.87
GF Value