AMAT vs KLAC: which was the better investment?
Applied Materials, Inc. against KLA Corporation on real daily total-return data — every dividend reinvested, from Oct 8, 1980 to Oct 15, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did AMAT beat KLAC?
Yes — measured from Oct 8, 1980 to Oct 15, 2026 with dividends reinvested, AMAT came out ahead: $29,903,567 versus $28,786,556 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 19.0% annual return against 18.9%.
What would $10,000 in AMAT be worth today?
$10,000 invested in Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) on Oct 8, 1980 would be worth about $29,903,567 as of Oct 15, 2026, a total return of 298935.7% (19.0% per year). The same $10,000 in KLAC would be worth $28,786,556.
Which was riskier — AMAT or KLAC?
AMAT swung with an annualized volatility of 48.2% and a worst peak-to-trough drop of -85.2%; KLAC ran at 51.1% volatility with a -83.7% maximum drawdown. Risk-adjusted (Sharpe ratio), that is 0.35 for AMAT vs 0.33 for KLAC.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Oct 8, 1980 through Oct 15, 2026 — the full period where both assets have price history. Adjusted prices include dividends and splits, so these are total returns. The page refreshes with new market data every day.
Can I change the dates, amounts, or add monthly investing?
Yes — the interactive tool on this page is pre-loaded with AMAT vs KLAC. You can set any start and end date, change the starting amount, add monthly contributions, or build a multi-asset portfolio and compare it against any benchmark.