Today we're going to take a look at the well-established KLA Corporation (NASDAQ:KLAC). The company's stock received a lot of attention from a substantial price increase on the NASDAQGS over the last few months. With many analysts covering the large-cap stock, we may expect any price-sensitive announcements have already been factored into the stock's share price. But what if there is still an opportunity to buy? Let's examine KLA's valuation and outlook in more detail to determine if there's still a bargain opportunity.
See our latest analysis for KLA
Is KLA Still Cheap?
The stock seems fairly valued at the moment according to my valuation model. It's trading around 19.23% above my intrinsic value, which means if you buy KLA today, you'd be paying a relatively fair price for it. And if you believe that the stock is really worth $389.90, then there isn't really any room for the share price grow beyond what it's currently trading. Although, there may be an opportunity to buy in the future. This is because KLA's beta (a measure of share price volatility) is high, meaning its price movements will be exaggerated relative to the rest of the market. If the market is bearish, the company's shares will likely fall by more than the rest of the market, providing a prime buying opportunity.
Can we expect growth from KLA?
Future outlook is an important aspect when you're looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. Although value investors would argue that it's the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. However, with a relatively muted profit growth of 7.2% expected over the next couple of years, growth doesn't seem like a key driver for a buy decision for KLA, at least in the short term.
What This Means For You
Are you a shareholder? KLAC's future growth appears to have been factored into the current share price, with shares trading around its fair value. However, there are also other important factors which we haven't considered today, such as the financial strength of the company. Have these factors changed since the last time you looked at the stock? Will you have enough confidence to invest in the company should the price drop below its fair value?
Are you a potential investor? If you've been keeping tabs on KLAC, now may not be the most optimal time to buy, given it is trading around its fair value. However, the positive outlook means it's worth further examining other factors such as the strength of its balance sheet, in order to take advantage of the next price drop.
So while earnings quality is important, it's equally important to consider the risks facing KLA at this point in time. Case in point: We've spotted 1 warning sign for KLA you should be aware of.
If you are no longer interested in KLA, you can use our free platform to see our list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential.
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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
