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 Jul 13, 2026.
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Frequently asked questions
Did AMAT beat KLAC?
Yes — measured from Oct 8, 1980 to Jul 13, 2026 with dividends reinvested, AMAT came out ahead: $39,970,774 versus $36,630,696 from a $10,000 start. That gap compounds from a 19.9% annual return against 19.6%.
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 $39,970,774 as of Jul 13, 2026, a total return of 399607.7% (19.9% per year). The same $10,000 in KLAC would be worth $36,630,696.
Which was riskier — AMAT or KLAC?
AMAT swung with an annualized volatility of 48.1% 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 0.37 for AMAT vs 0.35 for KLAC.
What data is this comparison based on?
Daily adjusted closing prices covering Oct 8, 1980 through Jul 13, 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.